I have been trying to determine the difference between all the different cables listed on
http://gbaguan.taobao.com/ - which I think are the so-called Aurora cables. I don't speak a word of Chinese, but have been using Google Translate. As far as I can tell:
- Standard cable, comes in 32-pin, 40-pin A and 40-pin B versions (you have to specify which one when ordering). Cost ¥43 (Chinese yuan): http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=17953133877
- "Limited edition" of the standard cable. I can't tell what's different, other than it costs more and the installation pictures look a little different, e.g. solder to a different point? Also it only seems to come in 32-pin and 40-pin versions, with no mention on A or B. Maybe the 40-pin version of this cable works with both A and B screens, which is why it's a little more expensive? Cost ¥48: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=19828583555
- Aurora Pro cable, comes in 32-pin, 40-pin A and 40-pin B versions. Over and above the standard cable, this includes a small switch which the user can flick to change between two brightness levels. The switch is accessible by removing the battery cover and inserting something small like a screwdriver, so is probably not something you would want to change very often in the middle of gameplay. There is an additional cable that you choose to solder or not (that is, the cable will work without having to do any soldering). If you do solder it, you obtain access to two different brightness levels. Either way, once assembled, there are only two brightness levels accessible, controlled by the switch. Cost ¥60: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=24351408753
- Another version of the Pro cable with the little switch. Like with the limited edition of the standard cable, I can't tell what's different, other than again it seems to only come in 32-pin and 40-pin versions, with no mention of A or B. Cost ¥63: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18071110721
- Aurora Deluxe cable, comes in 32-pin, 40-pin A and 40-pin B versions. Over and above the Aurora Pro cable (the one with the switch), this includes, I think, additional circuitry to "stabilize" the power drawn by the screen. I think this is to reduce problems some people have reported using the standard cables where for example some flash carts don't work, or when playing some GB or GBC games. Cost ¥110: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=24351728191
- "Rainbow final version of the digital cable", comes in 32-pin, 40-pin A and 40-pin B versions. Over and above the Aurora Deluxe cable, this removes the little physical switch in the battery compartment, but allows you instead to hold down Select and press L to change the brightness between 5 levels. This requires extra soldering. Cost ¥190: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=39228683802
- Another version of the "Rainbow final version of the digital cable". I can't tell what's different, other than again it seems to only come in 32-pin and 40-pin versions, with no mention of A or B. Unlike with the other variants which don't mention A or B, this cable is actually cheaper than the other one, rather than more expensive. Cost ¥180: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=39230991276
They also sell AGS-101 screens, and bundles of screens and cables, as well as some other bits and bobs, but I'm mostly interested in their cables.
If anyone here speaks English and Chinese, maybe they can provide more information about the different cables and correct anything I've written above.
Has anyone seen these particular cables (especially the Select+L one) for sale anywhere else, e.g. eBay?