If you have a standard usb mini cable at home use that. Most digital cameras and devices are coming with them these days, and work fine on the Hero despite having a slightly different connector, it still fits and works fine.

Also, check ebay for cables, never let me down yet.

 

Here's a link to one I bought. If it is too long for what you want just get a small zip wire tie and rollup what you don't use. I know there are probably some cheaper ones on the "bay" but I felt better buying the moto one (even though the phone is not moto). Worked great 2.99 out the door with free shipping. *This is not my personal auction*

http://cgi.ebay.com/MOTOROLA-MINI-U...wItemQQptZPDA_Accessories?hash=item2c4fc5f9a5

 

I got the one I'm using from the dollar store. $1.05 including tax. My next choice would have been http://www.monoprice.com . Their stuff is CHEAP but it works!

 

Here is what I bought. Its the exact same thing as what I recieved with the phone. Looks OEM and comes with the wall adapter.
OEM HTC Home Charger+USB Sync Cable Sprint HTC Hero - eBay (item 120480441453 end time Jan-11-10 13:56:10 PST)

How do you guys use the mini usb? I have like ten of them form my exclaim and bb's but I cant get them to fit in the hero, the connector looks like like its completly different inside the metal housing?

 

The USB port on the phone is slightly bigger than a normal mini USB in that it has one corner of the plug expanded. There is still one long side and one short side to the plug so a normal mini USB fits in there so long as you align the two longs sides. Having said that, mine is a GSM hero, not sure about sprint...I'm in Canada.

 

We have some BB wall chargers and they work. Instead of putting the "face up" mark of the charger facing up, turn it upside down and it fits perfectly.

 

Another vote for Monoprice. HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! They're great and cheap. Just look for a USB to Mini USB-B.

 

X3.......their stuff is awesome. i have bought more than 20 cables from them ranging from dvi to hdmi to usb and have had zero issues. They are simply the best, and the cheapest.

 

Every HTC device has been like this for a few years. I believe there is an extra pin that carriers audio for HTC's usb headphones etc