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Cable Sleeving Comparison!

68K views 82 replies 41 participants last post by  Amw86 
#1 ·
Ok so I've been waiting to do this for a long time. It's tough seeing so many sleeving threads with no solid answers. Forgive me if my pictures aren't great, I'm not a photographer!

Sleeving Brands here:
Kobra Sleeving
Furryletters Clean Cut
MDPC-X/Murdermods (Only orange atm)
Flexo PET
550lb Paracord

Here all all the sleevings
supplies.jpg


Used a yellow wire to try and show through the sleeving the easiest
wire.jpg


PET
STORE

Please NOTE that PET is TERRIBLE. I never noticed just how bad it was until I used it. Just DON'T buy it
wink.gif


pet2.jpg
pet3.jpg

pet.jpg


Notice how you can easily see the yellow wire through the sleeving. It would be even more noticeable if the sleeving were a darker color. Sleeving with this was easy though, no snags or tears. The only cool thing about this gray PET was that it had a "metallic" look, but that's about it.

PROS:
Cheap
Easy to use
Metallic

CONS:
Everything else
See through
DON'T BUY IT
It's crap

KOBRA SLEEVING
STORE

kobra2.jpg
kobra_black.jpg

kobra.jpg


If you look at the gray color, you can see a little bit of the yellow wire through the sleeving. However, the black basically showed none of the yellow. I'm not sure why this is since they appear to be the exact same. The Kobra seemed pretty nice. It looks good and you wouldn't notice the wire color unless you brought it an inch from your face. The biggest thing I HATED about this sleeving, was that it is a pain in the A$$ to use. It is very small compared to the other 1/8" sleeving I have and it makes it very prone to snagging. I can't imagine sleeving an entire psu with this, it would be VERY, VERY annoying.

kobra_colors.jpg

kobra_colors2.jpg


The 2nd picture definitely shows the actual colors much better. The colors look great, they are deep and vibrant. They are labeled UV however, only the green really showed a lot of UV reaction, the orange a little, but none of the others. I couldn't get a good pic to show this so you'll have to take my word. I also threw in the MDPC-X orange, I think it's color is a little better than that of the Kobra orange. It's just brighter and reacted much better with a UV light.

PROS:
High quality
Colors look very good
Not see through

CONS:

Extremely difficult to use due to its small diameter
EXPENSIVE
UV only works well with green
Some of the wire showed with the gray sleeve

COST:
$0.50/foot

FURRYLETTERS CLEAN CUT
STORE

First off, I want to note that furryletters (Barry) is an extremely nice guy. I emailed him and asked for a small sample to do this review and he instantly agreed and shipped me small amounts of black and gray clean cut sleeving.

cleancut.jpg

cleancut2.jpg


As you can see this is QUALITY sleeving! It's very thick and hides the wires like a champ. It looks almost identical to that of the MDPC-X sleeving, and in my case it actually looks like the weave is tighter with Furryletters clean cut. Using it was a breeze too. It's diameter is wide enough that it just slides right over the wires and I didn't get any snags or rips or anything. The cost of this stuff is also incredible. I did notice though that he wasn't selling any gray clean cut in his ebay store. You might have to contact him directly for this. Only real cons is that it only comes in black and gray at the moment.

PROS:
Incredible quality
Very tight weave
No chance of seeing the wires
Very cheap
Barry is a fantastic seller

Cons:
Thickness may create some bulkiness
Only available in black and gray
It's too good

PRICE:
$0.22/foot (100ft for $22.35 after shipping)

MDPC-X/MurderMods (Orange only)
STORE

Everyone knows about MDPC-X. They are renowned for selling the absolute best quality sleeving on the market. They sell in all colors and sizes. Unfortunentally I was only able to get my hands on some orange. Papasmurf from OCN was very kind and shipped me a piece of his sleeving! Couldn't have written this without his help.

orange.jpg

kobra_colors2.jpg


First off, you'll notice that the MDPC-X has little bit of a nicer color, in my opinion, than the Kobra sleeving. It brighter and more orange while the Kobra's looks a tiny bit red. This sleeving is fantanstic quality and is literally identical to that of Furryletters Clean Cut, but with an orange color. The sleeving is extremely easy to use, it just slides right over the wires thanks to its thick diameter. The UV in this is actually worth noting too! The UV for the orange is actually pretty bright and would definitely look pretty cool in a case. The biggest problem with MDPC-X has always been the price tag. However, I do know that they have recently lowered the cost of shipping to help with international sales.

PROS:

Very high quality
Tight sleeving
Orange looks fantastic
Very UV reactant
Price lowered

CONS:
Price is still a little high compared to others
Not quite as tight as Clean Cut
Price is about double that of clean cut

Cost:
$0.40/foot (based on 100ft + shipping)

550lb Paracord
STORE

I know this is the most anticipated of the sleeving. Paracord is basically nylon sleeving with rope inside of it.

paracord.jpg

paracord2.jpg


The first thing you'll probably notice is the "hair like" frays. This is by far the worst thing about paracord. Since it's made of nylon strands instead of the standard plastic, it's prone to display micro strands if the surface is rubbed too much. I did find that running a lighter over it quickly eliminated most of the problem, however, it could get annoying doing this for every wire. The hairs didn't really reappear though after I did this which is good.

The thing I actually like most of about paracord is the fabric look. Since it's nylon and not plastic, it looks kind of shiny and soft, instead of shiny plastic. It looks a little bit more...elegant. To be honest it is very hard to compare this with the other brands. It's sort of in a league of its own since it's made of completely different material.

The nylon makes it the most flexible of the sleevings. It has an extremely tight weave since it's fabric and you'll never see a wire through this stuff. Using it was some where in the middle. It's thick enough to slide on, but due to its fabric material, it was easy to get snagged by the metal ends of the cables. If you tape of the ends better than me you probably wouldn't have a problem. Another thing I noticed is that it looks fantastic, but if you look very closely it looks a little less sleek than the others. Again this is because of the fabric material. I think if you had an entire psu sleeved in it, you would never notice any imperfection though. The price is...UNBELIEVABLE. You can get 100ft of this in any color for $7.50 after shipping! I haven't seen the other colors, but in the pics they look pretty bright and appealing. Paracord seems like the perfect alternative to those looking for something cheaper than standard sleeving, or even people who like the fabric look of it, which I personally love. Also, other con is it's not UV.

PROS:
CHEAPER THAN AIR
Tight weave
Gray color is awesome looking
Fabric looks adds a unique style

CONS:
Hair like micro strands on surface
Snags easier than clean cut and mdpc-x
Not UV

PRICE:
$0.075/foot OMG


SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISONS


Shows the colors of the grays
hand.jpg


compare_1.jpg


You can see the diameter difference in the Kobra vs Clean cut / MDPC-X
black.jpg


I know its messy but I'm tired of writing so I'll fix it up later.

Also, if anybody has anything to contribute please do! I want this to be as comprehensive as possible, and to end all of the other sleeving question threads =D
 
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20
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morizuno;12214644
for better pics btw, turn off flash and turn on macro/super macro. That way we can see the sleeving better.

Nice review though! I'd like to see a review on Large sleeving (instead of 1/8", the one which most PSU's have stock)
Aw ok, thanks I know almost nothing about taking pictures =P
Quote:
Originally Posted by RideZiLightning;12215997
Better representation of paracord

Feel free to use it

http://www.overclock.net/case-mods-general-discussion/775454-now-w-video-cheap-beautiful-sleeving.html
Yeah those are the first paracord pics I had seen! I just people to make sure they know that it can get those hair like strands, especially when you're looking close up.
 
#6 ·
My thoughts:

1) PET: Completely agree. It's utter crap. Do not buy.
2) Kobra: Agree as well. Kind of hard to work with since it doesn't expand as well as clean cut or PET, but not as hard to work with as paracord.
3) Paracord: I absolutely cannot stand the stuff. Every time I turn around, I snag the stuff. I have had a power supply sitting in a drawer for 2 months waiting to be done simply because I cannot bring myself to finish it with this crap. Absolutely hate working with it.
4) Furryletters (Barry): I was going to do a similar review on different styles of sleeving a few months ago. He seemed way too put out to provide me even a few sample pieces of sleeving without charging me $50 to do it. He can kiss my rear end. I'll spend my money elsewhere.
5) MDPC: Have not used. Can't wait to try it.

+ rep for great information.
 
#7 ·
I've got some spare MDPC-X sleeve laying here, I can send ya foot of it (for each color that I have) so you can better gauge the quality. Go ahead and PM me if you're interested.

Just as well, if you use natural lighting with a darker background you'll get better pics.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
3) Paracord: I absolutely cannot stand the stuff. Every time I turn around, I snag the stuff. I have had a power supply sitting in a drawer for 2 months waiting to be done simply because I cannot bring myself to finish it with this crap. Absolutely hate working with it.
Did you put a piece of electrical tape over the pins? I've sleeved my PSU and all my fans with the stuff and it wasn't difficult to work with at all. The most difficult thing I've encountered with it is tying the fillaments to the pins on fans so I can pull them through.
 
#10 ·
Cant wait for my MDPC in the B-Magic color to be delivered. I was about to go with the Kobra but glad I didn't, maybe I'll use them for black color if I need some small quantity quickly.
You can't deny MDPC has the most amazing colors.

Thanks for the review.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaSmurf;12228823
If you just need a small amount of black go with the Clean Cut from Furry Letters. Less expensive than Kobra and just as good if not slightly better.
Just as good???

The Clean Cut is amazing compared to the Kobra.

Hell, I even find myself recommending MDPC now just because it's bloody cheaper than the Kobra with shipping including and that's just sad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmasherBasher;12218024
My thoughts:

1) PET: Completely agree. It's utter crap. Do not buy.
2) Kobra: Agree as well. Kind of hard to work with since it doesn't expand as well as clean cut or PET, but not as hard to work with as paracord.
3) Paracord: I absolutely cannot stand the stuff. Every time I turn around, I snag the stuff. I have had a power supply sitting in a drawer for 2 months waiting to be done simply because I cannot bring myself to finish it with this crap. Absolutely hate working with it.
4) Furryletters (Barry): I was going to do a similar review on different styles of sleeving a few months ago. He seemed way too put out to provide me even a few sample pieces of sleeving without charging me $50 to do it. He can kiss my rear end. I'll spend my money elsewhere.
5) MDPC: Have not used. Can't wait to try it.

+ rep for great information.
Wow...Barry is normally super easy to work with but I mean, I can understand why he wouldn't send out free samples...he loses money. Although, I do buy from him and so far, I've been more than satisfied with my purchases and him. He ships the same day as long as I order before 5pm and it arrives 1-2 days later.

OP:

Great post...I only really disagree with your Kobra notes. Kobra is not just medium cost. It is currently the most expensive sleeving on the market. It beats out MDPC which I thought was hard to do. Even at Koolertek.com, who has the lowest price for Kobra sleeving, it's still $0.59 a foot. 100 feet will cost you $59 + shipping....ZOMG. Total cost including shipping for 30 meters (just under 100 feet...I think it's like 98. something feet) of MDPC is about $40 USD (it may be higher...damn currency rates).

For my tastes, the only good sleeving is the Techflex Clean Cut but it only comes in black and grey. For colors, you pretty much have to go MDPC to get the best bang for your buck which is sad as Kobra used to be around $0.19 a foot.
 
#14 ·
The only time Kobra is a good option is when you only need a few feet of a color that isn't black or grey. While the cost per foot would be higher, if you only need 5 foot to finish a job, do a few fans, etc, then it is still a viable option. Of course that's what I've been saying ever since they jacked the price up. I ordered mine just before they did it though, back when they actually paid you to take the Purple sleeve. The sleeve was .19 a foot with a .20 a foot discount on the purple so they were essentially paying you a penny to take it off of their hands (yes the price on my invoice shows -.01 per foot and it was taken off the total). It was the only reason I bought the purple.
 
#16 ·
Wow, thanks, just went and bought a whole lot from Furryletters.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by godofdeath;12228937
why is there a white clean cut?
It's just cuz of my crappy photography skills =( Going to take some new pics soon, just been busy. So that's actually the gray stuff.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaSmurf;12229171
The only time Kobra is a good option is when you only need a few feet of a color that isn't black or grey. While the cost per foot would be higher, if you only need 5 foot to finish a job, do a few fans, etc, then it is still a viable option. Of course that's what I've been saying ever since they jacked the price up. I ordered mine just before they did it though, back when they actually paid you to take the Purple sleeve. The sleeve was .19 a foot with a .20 a foot discount on the purple so they were essentially paying you a penny to take it off of their hands (yes the price on my invoice shows -.01 per foot and it was taken off the total). It was the only reason I bought the purple.
I would agree that kobra is only good if you need a tiny amount.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SystemTech;12230881
Wow, thanks, just went and bought a whole lot from Furryletters.
You will be a very happy human =D

UPDATE: Updated Kobra as it is very expensive for what you get!
If anyone can share with me the exact cost of 100ft mdpcx shipped to US that would be awesome too
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramenraider;12237583
UPDATE: Updated Kobra as it is very expensive for what you get!
If anyone can share with me the exact cost of 100ft mdpcx shipped to US that would be awesome too
It would actually be 30 meters which is only 98 feet. Shipped to me in Rockford, IL it would be 29.09 Euros which is app. $40.14 including shipping.

sleeve 20.04 euro $27.65
shipping 9.05 euro $12.49
total 29.09 euro $40.14
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaSmurf;12238427
It would actually be 30 meters which is only 98 feet. Shipped to me in Rockford, IL it would be 29.09 Euros which is app. $40.14 including shipping.

sleeve 20.04 euro $27.65
shipping 9.05 euro $12.49
total 29.09 euro $40.14
Thanks, I updated the thread with MDPC-X at about $0.40/ft!
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmasherBasher;12218024
My thoughts:

1) PET: Completely agree. It's utter crap. Do not buy.
2) Kobra: Agree as well. Kind of hard to work with since it doesn't expand as well as clean cut or PET, but not as hard to work with as paracord.
3) Paracord: I absolutely cannot stand the stuff. Every time I turn around, I snag the stuff. I have had a power supply sitting in a drawer for 2 months waiting to be done simply because I cannot bring myself to finish it with this crap. Absolutely hate working with it.
4) Furryletters (Barry): I was going to do a similar review on different styles of sleeving a few months ago. He seemed way too put out to provide me even a few sample pieces of sleeving without charging me $50 to do it. He can kiss my rear end. I'll spend my money elsewhere.
5) MDPC: Have not used. Can't wait to try it.

+ rep for great information.
I agree except I didn't really have any trouble with the paracord! You do have to tape up over the connectors to avoid snagging, and if you don't do this then I'm pretty sure it will tear your paracord to threads ><'

Barry seemed really, really nice when I talked to him. He hooked me up with sample of black and gray extremely quick. Maybe he was having a bad day when he talked to you? haha I'm not sure why we got such different responses on the same subjects.

U should make a "Smasher Approves this Thread" pin and I'll post it on the thread
biggrin.gif
 
#21 ·
Thanks for making this!

I don't know what type my PSU came with, but I don't really need this now that I have a modular PSU :\

The way you/he did the PSU looks messy, and I would rather have the single braid over all the wires, although, the stock mesh only covers about enough that it just barely passes through the grommet for the motherboard, at which point, all of the wires are exposed, and I might just do this for the parts that are exposed (about 2 inches for each one)
 
#24 ·
It works as far as cable management goes, but most people don't like to see the color of the wire insulation through the sleeve. That's why they go with sleeve with higher density weave from MDPC-X, Furry letters Black or Grey Clean Cut, Kobra, or the ParaCord so it doesn't bleed through like that. Unless I am mistaken, only the Kobra and the Clean Cut (only available in black and grey) is available in a large enough diameter to fit over all 24 wires. MDPC-X's SATA sleeve is large enough to hold 4 to 6 wires. ParaCord is only available in that one size that can only hold a single psu wire (or 2 -3 smaller diameter fan wires).
 
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