Trying to find the best cable tether for your company can be a challenge. From different use case needs (offices, conference rooms, lab environments, mobile tethering, conferences, hospitals and medical facilities, or show room settings) to different product types—it is important to consider which manufacturer makes the right item to meet your needs.
The two most widely used security tethering solutions for office, conference room, lab, mobile, and showroom needs are TetherTies and Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers. Extron is a broad product company that also makes cable tethers. TetherTies specializes in cable tethering solutions for computer peripherals and medical and health facilities.
Which is best for your business? Let’s review seven key differences between Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers and TetherTies cable tethers.
1. Pre-Assembled (TetherTies) vs. Assembly Required (Extron)
TetherTies come pre-assembled. The metal sleeves used to secure the TetherTies cable to an adapter or dongle is hand-crimped prior to shipping, so end users can quickly and easily fit the security tether.
Extron LockIt cable adapter tethers come as pre-organized parts that the user assembles, which adds several steps to the installation process. The user must thread wire through the plastic wrap and metal sleeves prior to fitting onto the cable adapter that needs securing.
When you have a large installation—or you are initially unfamiliar with how to assemble these parts—the value of pre-assembled cable adapters not only saves time (hours, for large installations), but also money and hassle for your employer!
Advantage: TetherTies (unless you prefer do-it-yourself projects).
2. Cable Tether Pricing
Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers are $10 to $15 (USD) per unit. TetherTies are $3 to $4 (USD) per unit (pricing depends on order quantity).
The big question is, “Why is Extron two, to five, times more expensive per unit?” Maybe it is that the Extron wire comes with a heat-shrink sleeve, which is a cosmetic feature that requires a hairdryer and a couple extra minutes, per tether, to install.
Advantage: TetherTies
3. Security Cable Installation Time
With tools on-hand, pre-assembled tether ties install in under 15 seconds.
Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers come as parts for do-it-yourself installation and require a hairdryer (or other heat source) to fully install. Our best estimate is that the Extron tether takes 90 seconds to install. That translates into the following installation time differences:
| Brand | Installation time – 10 cable tethers | Installation time – 50 cable tethers | Installation time – 100 cable tethers |
|---|---|---|---|
| TetherTies Cable Tethers |
3 minutes | 13 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers | 15 minutes | 75 minutes | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) |
There’s no need to spend three times more resources than necessary on any kind of office task—especially one that is supposed to save the company money!
Advantage: TetherTies
4. Parts and Tools Included
Each TetherTies order comes with everything you need to make installation quick and easy. In addition to the TetherTies, each order comes with:
- A pair of installation pliers, so you don’t have to find or use your own.
- Printed installation directions with full color images.
Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers come with all parts, but require the installer to assemble the parts and provide their own tools for installation. Tools required (but not included) in Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers include a pair of pliers and a hairdryer (or other blowing heat source).
Advantage: TetherTies
5. Tether Color and Options
Extron tethers are available in one color: white.
TetherTies come in three colors:white, black, silver. This allows facilities managers to match the environment where the tether will be installed.
Some AV, IT, and facilities managers don’t notice or care what color the tethers are while they’re shopping, but realize what a disruption the wrong tether can become once it’s installed. A cable tether—or, more likely, a small collection of tethers—that doesn’t blend into its environment creates visual clutter in a workspace or a distracting eyesore in a public space.
Advantage: TetherTies
6. Cable System vs. Solution
Extron offers hundreds of AV/IT products as part of a comprehensive set of image, audio, and room technology needs. Extron’s model is to design large installation solutions that meet a variety of technology needs for their customers. The Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tether is designed to integrate into the broad product line offerings of large-scale solution integration customers.
TetherTies is dedicated to designing cable adapter tethers for AV, IT, and facilities managers. TetherTies was founded by a facilities manager at a multi-billion dollar organization who needed a cable tether solution to secure computer peripherals and deter theft.
Advantage:
Best Value (TetherTies)
Best For Those Seeking a Complete AV System (Extron)
7. Security Tether Customization
TetherTies offers:
- Three colors—white, black, and silver
- Two models—original and heavy-duty
- Custom lengths—The standard length is 12 inches, but custom order ties can be any length.
Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tethers come in a single, 14-inch length.
Advantage: TetherTies
Cable Tether Ties Comparison
Extron and TetherTies are the most commonly used security tethers, but there are others. For an ever broader industry comparison, see our Security Tethers Buying Guide →. To summarize, a side-by-side comparison of the Extron LockIt Cable Adapter Tether vs. TetherTies looks like this:
| Extron | TetherTies | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $10 to $15 | $3 to $4 |
| Installation time | ~ 90 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Full assembled | ✔ | |
| Tools included | ✔ | |
| Available in white | ✔ | ✔ |
| Available in black | ✔ | |
| Available in silver | ✔ | |
| Customizable | ✔ |
Ready to see it for yourself? Request a free sample, and we’ll send it out today.
Article Resources:
1. IT Computer lab Cable security
2. Secure and Maintain Your Computer Lab
3. Building a Lab: Patching and Cables