QUOTE(Meanie @ May 1 2007, 09:07 AM)
i toasted my Z once by sticking in a faulty usb cable. that same faulty usb cable also killed my digital camera, but it didn't have smoke coming out of its backside like it did on my Z

luckily, i got it replaced after sending it back to japan...
after that experience, i would rather pay some overpriced amount of money for the usb host cable rather than risking frying the Z...
Ok I'll haveto correct my posting:
It's possible to fry your Z with a falty soldered cable so take special kare not do fry your Z (and if you do toast it don't blame me):
1) check connections with tester before any real operation on usb,
2) if possible check on some near to scrap hardware first to make sure it will not damage the good hardware,
3) seal the plugs and repeat steps 1 and 2 to make sure that the sealing action did not dammage any soldering,
4) if the 3 steps above are successfull you can now safely plug it into you good hardware.