USB3.0 Hub

[Doug64]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Astronomy and I'm setting up my scope for astrophotography.

I have an ED80 and I'm currently running a modified Canon 550d (Usb 2.0), a GPCam2 (Usb 2.0) and an Eqdirect link but will no doubt get other Usb items as I go along.  I had a cheap Usb 3.0 powered hub but have recently found that I'm getting drop offs and errors . I've carried out tests and have established that it is the hub that is causing the problems.

I now wish to upgrade the hub to something a bit more robust and I have seen this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Desktop-Wall-Mountable-Enclosure-ST7300U3M/dp/B00SCE4E0I?tag=stargloung-21

Is this any good, if not what would you recommend, I cannot afford to use a mini PC etc.  I also need to run the  Usb 3 cable about 10 meters from my house to the patio so with this powered hub would I need to get active cables or would a normal decent quality Usb3 cable suffice.  The cable that comes with this hub is Male A to Male B so I was thinking of getting a 5 meter Male A to Male B and a 5 meter Male A to Male A extension.

I'm not very techy so would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Doug

 

 

 

[Davey-T]

Lots of folk on this forum using Startech USB powered hubs including me, first class product.

Probably good to use an active cable as well.

Dave

[Doug64]

Thanks I'll look into suitable active cables.

Doug

[r3i]

11 hours ago, Davey-T said:

Lots of folk on this forum using Startech USB powered hubs including me, first class product.

 

+1 for the Startech industrial hubs, I've got a USB 2.0 one and it has been excellent.  The nice thing about them is the ease of powering them as they take a 12V input so they fit in well with a lot of other astro gear which also tend to require 12V.

When it came to sourcing a USB 3.0 hub, I have to admit to baulking at the cost of the Startech one that I came across (  https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Port-Industrial-USB-3-0/dp/B00V6ADRQC/ref=pd_sbs_147_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YMV137G3BQM1RC9T81RH).  I wasn't aware of the existence of the one that the OP mentioned and took a punt on a cheaper Anker unit, which also was 12V based. I went for this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00VE4UJD4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1   So far it has functioned well, no complaints at all - I've only had it for about 4 months so still early days in terms of assessing its durability. However, I would still favour a Startech Industrial one for long term peace of mind, particularly the one you mentioned in your post, which isn't a bad price.

[Doug64]

27 minutes ago, r3i said:

+1 for the Startech industrial hubs, I've got a USB 2.0 one and it has been excellent.  The nice thing about them is the ease of powering them as they take a 12V input so they fit in well with a lot of other astro gear which also tend to require 12V.

When it came to sourcing a USB 3.0 hub, I have to admit to baulking at the cost of the Startech one that I came across (  https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Port-Industrial-USB-3-0/dp/B00V6ADRQC/ref=pd_sbs_147_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YMV137G3BQM1RC9T81RH).  I wasn't aware of the existence of the one that the OP mentioned and took a punt on a cheaper Anker unit, which also was 12V based. I went for this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00VE4UJD4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1   So far it has functioned well, no complaints at all - I've only had it for about 4 months so still early days in terms of assessing its durability. However, I would still favour a Startech Industrial one for long term peace of mind, particularly the one you mentioned in your post, which isn't a bad price.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, I've taken a punt on the Startech hub as they get good write ups and I believe the metal case will be more robust.

Doug