Prevailing Wisdom on Powered USB Hubs

[dcalleja]

Hi
I thought I was having problems with the shutter on my SBIG STi (Well I was because it sometimes didnt always fully close or open and was quite variable).

So after some discussion on the Yahoo SBIG forum someone said the shutter needed a good 500mA power source and a powered hub might be best. (Yes I used the SBIG cable and had it plugged direct into my laptop)

So i bought a DLINK USB 3 hub and I must say it seems to just work really well now.

So whats the prevailing wisdom on using powered hubs for cameras etc. Do people recommend this? Will i burn out my STi? Some other folk say they cause interference in the cameras. Thoughts?

Thanks
Dan

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Dan,

I've always used powered hubs with the DSI and the QHY (and every other USB device I'm running) and never had a problem.

Peter

[DavidTrap (David)]

I use a powered hub with my cameras without problems. Not sure why being "powered" would make it possible for the hub to "burn out" the camera - it should only draw what it requires.

DT

[bert (Brett)]

I consider them mandatory with my observatories. Just don't buy one from the local computer market. Get a good quality hub.

I use the mount hub pro and a belkin powered hub. Both have been flawless usb wise. Some cheap ones I bought gave me random usb dropouts.

Brett

[marki]

Check out the mount hub pro, well worth the cost.

Mark

[dcalleja]

OK looks like I go with the hub then . It certainly seems to be working more reliably.

Thanks
Dan

[dcalleja]

An update.
Thanks to some advice from Greg I bought a Hitec Mount Hub Pro. Very happy. Currently running two SBIG Cams, dew heater and soon (when I get the right cable) my LX200.

Really cuts down on cable mess. Fits well inside the LX200 forks as well.

Dan

[marki]

There are some nice short USB cables available from Harvey Normans which makes it even neater. Great device.


Mark