USB extension over 5 metres that works!

[DavidTrap]

I've just received some Lindy USB extension cables. Lindy (www.lindy.com.au) have a system is claimed to work up to 56 metres.

You start with an 8 metre extension and then add 12 metre lengths to that. Their website says you must use their special powered hub at the end if you want to plug in multiple devices. I contacted them before ordering and they said if you kept the cable length short from the end of the extension to the hub there should be no problem using a 3rd party powered hub (which I already had).

Anyway, this morning I have plugged in the following:

8 metre extension
12 metre extension
20cm USB to mini USB cable
4 port powered Belkin Hub
QSI583 camera
QHY5
Keyspan USB adapter & Robofocus Controller
Keyspan USB adapter & AP Mount Computer

Happy to report that everything worked as usual. It's claimed that this works at full USB2 speeds - the downloads from the camera seemed to be as quick as usual. Obviously, I haven't yet tested this under the stars, but I am hopeful it should allow me to control my setup from a distance.

My plan is to setup the rig in the backyard and put the laptop in the lounge room so I can watch a movie whilst keeping an eye on things, or run the cable back into my camper trailer tent when setup at a dark site. I have a box that sits under the scope which houses the powered hub and power supplies - see this thread (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=74164)

The Lindy extension cables have snap together connectors to reduce them risk of pulling apart - I'll put the connection between the two extensions into a weatherproof housing in an attempt to keep it dry in the dew as well.

The cables were about $120 including freight. It's certainly competitive on price vs having one laptop beside the scope and a remote session indoors on another computer.

Will report back once I've tested it under the stars.

DT

BTW -I have no association with the company.

[Astroman]

Sounds quite interesting, I used to run a 2m and a 5m cable with a powered hub, so getting a longer run would be great! Especially if you have to go up and over doorways and around rooms etc...

[frolinmod]

Pricey.

I've found the USB 2.0 Extension cables at monoprice.com work well and are reasonably priced. I've used the 10m ones extensively. They also have 15m, 20m and 25m extensions. I've found that just about everything at monoprice.com is high quality at a no nonsense price. I'm not sure if they ship down under though.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10303

[steve000]

get a bunch of these mate.. tested a USB 2.0 webcam at a length of about 19 m with these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-USB-RJ45-LAN-EXTENSION-ADAPTER-CAT5-CAT5E-CABLE-/220535917583?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3358f70c0f

[DavidTrap]

Steve - those are USB 1, not 2.

DT

[steve000]

Perhaps but they did perform fine for a logitech 9000 webcam recording.

You could try these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-2-0-RJ45-ETHERNET-CAT5-CONVERTER-DRIVER-CD-/290549446086?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a618b5c6

they do up to 100mbps speed.

honestly though $10 or so could be your answer. Because you are in brissy im happy to loan you mine for testing if you want.

Also i realize you already have the setup complete, just offering these for testing that could benefit the IIS community :)

[dcalleja]

I use 20m active USB 2.0 cables from Jaycar. They seem to work fine

[Grimmeister]

Hi David,

Keen to know how you went with these cables and if you had any issues since you first got them? I was looking at these specific cables from Lindy and will probably run close to the full 56M as I too want to sit in comfort at the TV while I remotely watch what is going on and do some imaging.

Look forward to your review :)

Cheers

Anthony

[rainwatcher]

Well done guys, good luck with the 56 M thats a long run. I don't have that problem, about 8 m should do me so a single powered hub is the key it seems.:)
I have also been trying to crack the USB port command codes so that i can use one in the same way we used to use parallel ports to controll steppers, relays, switches etc. Its damn hard, spent nearly two days on the web and still can not get it together. One way is to go USB to parallel then parallel to RS232 but you still need to be able to program it. My current Win7 USB to parallel, which i bought for a laser priunter, will not load the drivers - so its just a piece of hi-tech art.:(

[DavidTrap]

Hi Anthony,

I've had no problems with the 20m extension thus far. No dropouts or screwy connections to the cameras or usb-serial converters.

Let me know if you have success with a longer run.

DT

[Grimmeister]

Hi David,

Thnaks for getting back to me, good to hear it works as stated (these things can be a bit hit and miss sometimes), when I get these in and running I will let you know how the longer run performs.

Cheers

Anthony Grimshaw