The bulb mode is really great for night shots and long exposure
the shutter buton is really soft and resistant suffisement to feel and control the focus.
The cable of approximately 60cm is more than enough for my taste because, in the case of use of a tripod is mainly to avoid camera shake when triggered and it is the its role, no need to find a 2m for AC .... For after he has excellent infrared remote control that it will serve to make pictures far from its box.
It is fully recognized on the 550d.
The top is still storage, there are 2 slot to wrap the cable around and a false outlet to plug connection and thus protected.
Not hesitate to prefer the canon official release.