StarTech.com
StarTech 0.5m Straight Through DB9 Serial Cable, Black (MXT10050CMBK)
Bottom line: The StarTech.com StarTech 0.5m Straight Through DB9 Serial Cable ($5.95 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:16 UTC): Lifetime Warranty from StarTech.com; main trade-off: 0.5m is too short for desk-to-floor or cross-rack runs.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Lifetime Warranty from StarTech.com
- ✓ DB9 male to DB9 female extends RS232 without adapters
- ✓ 0.5m length avoids cable slack behind a tower or rack
- ✓ Straight-through pinout works as a drop-in extension
Cons
- ✗ 0.5m is too short for desk-to-floor or cross-rack runs
- ✗ Straight-through wiring will not replace a null-modem crossover cable
- ✗ Extension only - needs an existing DB9 port or dongle
- ✗ Male-to-female orientation only, no M-to-M or F-to-F option
Manufacturer description
The StarTech.com MXT10050CMBK is a 0.5m straight-through DB9 serial cable with one DB9 male and one DB9 female connector, built to extend RS232 connections without rewiring your bench. At 20 inches, it is short by design: enough slack to reach a rear serial port, a USB-to-serial dongle, or a KVM console header, without a meter of excess cable coiled behind the desk. The straight-through pinout means it extends a signal rather than crossing it, so it works as a drop-in reach extender for the serial link you already have running. That makes it a natural fit for retro PC builds, industrial…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored StarTech.com StarTech 0.5m Straight Through DB9 Serial Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cables & connectors category. StarTech.com's cables & connectors lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for cables & connectors of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a null modem cable?
No. This is a straight-through DB9 extension cable, so pins pass directly end to end. If your two devices both need DCE/DTE crossover, you need a separate null-modem cable or adapter.
How long is the StarTech MXT10050CMBK?
0.5 meters, roughly 20 inches. It is intended as a short extension to reposition a serial device, not as a long cable run across a room.
What connectors are on each end?
One DB9 male connector and one DB9 female connector, which is the standard arrangement for extending an existing RS232 serial cable or port.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes. StarTech.com backs this DB9 extension cable with a Lifetime Warranty. Check the product listing for current terms and claim details.
Will this work with my retro PC or a USB-to-serial adapter?
It extends any RS232 connection using DB9 connectors, including vintage PC serial ports and USB-to-serial dongles. It does not convert signals, so the host port must already be RS232.
Key Features
- Serial extension cable
- DB-9 (M) to DB-9 (F)
Full Specifications
| Brand | StarTech.com |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model | MXT10050CMBK |
| Cable Type | Serial |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Model Name | Black Serial Extension Cable |
| Unit Count | 1.5 Feet |
| Item Length | 50 centimeters |
| Part Number | MXT10050CMBK |
| Connector Type | DB9 |
| Number of Pins | 9 |
| Outer Material | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Maximum Voltage | 15 volts_of_direct_current |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Data Transfer |
| Connector Gender | Male-to-Female |
| Specification Met | No |
| Compatible Devices | Serial Adapter |
| Included Components | StarTech.com 0.5m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable - DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable - Male to Female Cable - 50cm (MXT10050CMBK) |
| Indoor Outdoor Usage | Indoor, Outdoor |
Ready to buy?
StarTech 0.5m Straight Through DB9 Serial Cable, Black (MXT10050CMBK) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.
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