Hi, i recently bought a meade DSI-P2 but the usb cable is'nt long eonugh to get out my computer room window (as I dont have a laptop). Can anyone reccomend a good USB extension or USB hub device. Im just new to astro-photography so any help is appreciated.
I don't have much to offer I'm afraid except to say I bought a cheap notebook powered usb hub from the post office which doesn't seem to recongise any of the devices I plug into it.
Hopefully someone else can be a bit more encouraging.
A standard 1.8 metre extension will work ok. Available at Dick Smith, Hardy Norman and even Woolies and Coles. If you need any more than 3.5 meters in total length would advise getting an extension with a built in signal amplifier from DS, Jaycar etc. USB signal degrades with distance and some devices are less tolerant than others. Having said the above, I use a 4metre unamplified cable with my DSI 1 and it performs OK.
thanks for all your help guys, ive gone with a 5m cable with an active repeater to boost the signal. Thanks once again.
angus
The repeater cables are definately the way to go with the DSI's especially since they do not have a seperate power input. I once tried 3 x 5m active cables joined together and it still worked fine.
Angus,
USB specs allow for a 5 meter run then you need a hub to pick up the votage and off you go for another 5 meters. After 15 meters or 3 hubs, results can not be guarenteed as noise creaps in to destroy the original signal. I run 5 meters to a hub and then to the gear. Works for me.