EQ8-R USB Hub - Forums

Topic starter

Apr 29, 2022 · Edited: Apr 29, 2022

Hi,

I was wondering if people have been able to use the integrated USB hub in their EQ8-R pro in combination with USB3 equipment; specifically QHY cameras (QHY268 - apparently these also require USB2 protocol support, another story… ).

I have had an EQ8 for evaluation a little while back (still thinking about getting one…) and was not able to get the camera (or any other, even USB2, equipment) to work with that hub (nothing was detected, essentially). All equipment is "known good", and works fine with an external, powered USB hub. The seller contacted Skywatcher on my behalf and their answer was a bit evasive (try different, shorter cables etc). I did a quick google search and found some reports claiming that the hub is essentially a failed design and very hard to get to work properly - if at all.

Maybe some EQ8-R users can comment if this is true?

Obviously, the hub is not "the main selling point" of this mount, but it seems dumb to have an integrated USB hub in the saddle and still needing to have cables hang all over the place because of a design flaw…

Cheers,
Marc

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Götz Golla

Jun 11, 2022

Hi Marc,
I do not own an EQ8-R, but I would think that Skywatcher did not create their own USB HUB but rather bought one from a third party and fitted it into the mount.
When you connect a computer to the hub, it should identify the hub as such and tell you the brand. Also, when you connect a camera, it should be discovered by the computer through the hub and you should see the (un-)successful result in the logs. Sorry, I am not working with Windows, so I cant tell you where to find the logs, but it should be possible. With this information it should give you (or Skywatcher) some indication about what is going wrong.
Cheers
Götz

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Matthew Proulx

Jun 12, 2022 · Edited: Jun 12, 2022

This is a known EQ8r problem. Apparently I was told the usb hub they ship with the mount fixes the problem thats internal but it did not work for me.
I was unable to get my camera to keep working using USB3.0 after the first few subs.
I am now using USB2.0 cord and I have the same sensor as you (IMX571). 1-2 seconds tops download speed. No need for USB3.0 IMO with this size of chip unless you are doing short subs .

Edit:
I see you got the cem70 instead, I owned one before I got the EQ8. Its a decent mount but mine had problems. I suppose all of this stuff has some problem or another for someone.

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Ethan Chappel

Jun 12, 2022

Since this thread has resurfaced, anyone having issues with the USB hub may want to check out this thread about it on Cloudy Nights:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/826206-solvedskywatcher-eq8-r-usb-30-issues/?hl=+eq8#8208r=

Relevant text from the first post for posterity:

This was purchased in 2022, so its not an early model. All mounts may not have been wired like this, I don't know. I hope this helps others understand what's happening instead of wasting hours of clear skies trying to get it to work. I had a network engineer friend over, by chance, and they immediately saw why so many individuals were/are having issues with USB 3.0 connectivity. The setup isn't USB 3.0 compliant, and can't be advertised as having USB 3.0 connectivity. Look at the images below. These are images of the DATA cable. They decided to use a CAT5e cable. A CAT5e only has 4 unshielded pairs so how did they get the ninth lead? That's right, they just cobbled the copper insulation into the 9th lead! I mean...REALLY? I've seen better cable making by my local middle schoolers!! My friend stated it should work fine for USB 2.0 applications but will NOT work for USB 3.0 applications. Unshielded Interference, 400 MHz per pair instead of 2.5 GHz per shielded pair, and not to mention power limitations are all reasons this mount is not USB 3.0 compliant and cannot be advertised, or sold, with this trademark.

ItsMeAstro

Mar 23, 2023 · Edited: Jan 27, 2024

Solving all EQ8R PRO USB3 problems
==============================

I've encountered several problems with USB3 on my EQ8R PRO mount, as USB3 devices were not recognized and didn't work at all, only USB2 devices worked and connections were lost at random times.

After examining the internal wiring I found my original internal USB cable didn't meet USB3 specs, as it was only partly shielded, was a CAT5 cable, only suited for USB 2 transfer speeds and had a real error in the wiring of the PH2 connectors so one of the USB3 wires was not connected at all !

I decided to make a new fully double shielded cable, CAT 8, suitable for transfer speeds of at least 5GB/s (USB 3.2 Gen 1) and replaced my original cable with the new one.

After replacement the EQ8R PRO internal USB 3.0 hub was fully functional and I've tested it with a 15 meter active USB 3.2 GEN 1 cable, attached to my PC and all equipment connected and several astro camera's (QHY268M).
Transfer speeds were now limited by the camera's and I accurately measured and reached download speeds from my QHY268M of 1150 Mb/s now, way above USB2 maximum speed of 480 Mb/s !

I've created a detailed step-by-step manual for the creation of the new internal USB3 cable, with full explanations of tools needed, as well as a full test report and a description (also with picture) of the wrong wiring of my original cable, see attachment !

Strongly recommended for everyone !

Manual can be downloaded from : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CLKbW-LAmCltt5yvv4fw4RswKpEaZged/view?usp=sharing

EDIT: Updated link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBFhigXtBEBj_yuZFnLUEiRX6Xi4MDEJ/view?usp=drive_link

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David Bennett

Aug 27, 2023

Excellent Document. Thanks. I am about to open up my mount to examine the cable but I suspect I have the same issue. Running the lsusb command on my raspberry Pi controller clearly shows the mount hub and the USB 3 hub on the ZWO ASI 2600 MM Pro camera that's connected to the mount hub as only running at USB 2. The manual that came with the mount states it's a USB 3 hub and so did all the advertisements when I bought in 2 years ago. My UK supplier wasn't interested. I was hoping they would at least have a spare part made up cable to send me but no luck.

I find the Indi driver crashes after a few image downloads so I have had to connect the imaging camera directly to the USB 3 port on the Pi but with the extra hazard of a trailing wire.

Running dew heater, main mirror fans and a few usb 2 devices (guide camera, EAF and focuser) I am dangerously close to reaching the 4 Amp total power output if I connected the ASI 2600 MM Pro to the mount hub so I use a separate power supply for this camera and therefore another trailing wire. I wonder if its possible up rate the power supply to the hub? I think 6 amps would do it.

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Reinhold Friedrich Auer

Jan 21, 2024

Solving all EQ8R PRO USB3 problems
==============================

I've encountered several problems with USB3 on my EQ8R PRO mount, as USB3 devices were not recognized and didn't work at all, only USB2 devices worked and connections were lost at random times.

After examining the internal wiring I found my original internal USB cable didn't meet USB3 specs, as it was only partly shielded, was a CAT5 cable, only suited for USB 2 transfer speeds and had a real error in the wiring of the PH2 connectors so one of the USB3 wires was not connected at all !

I decided to make a new fully double shielded cable, CAT 8, suitable for transfer speeds of at least 5GB/s (USB 3.2 Gen 1) and replaced my original cable with the new one.

After replacement the EQ8R PRO internal USB 3.0 hub was fully functional and I've tested it with a 15 meter active USB 3.2 GEN 1 cable, attached to my PC and all equipment connected and several astro camera's (QHY268M).
Transfer speeds were now limited by the camera's and I accurately measured and reached download speeds from my QHY268M of 1150 Mb/s now, way above USB2 maximum speed of 480 Mb/s !

I've created a detailed step-by-step manual for the creation of the new internal USB3 cable, with full explanations of tools needed, as well as a full test report and a description (also with picture) of the wrong wiring of my original cable, see attachment !

Strongly recommended for everyone !

Manual can be downloaded from : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CLKbW-LAmCltt5yvv4fw4RswKpEaZged/view?usp=sharing

Dear Marc, also with my brand new EQ8 RH Pro the USB hub does not work. I tried to download your step-by-step manual for the repair, but unfortunately the linnk does not work for me. Could you please send me a copy to auer.reinhold@gmail.com? Thank you very much.

Reinhold Friedrich Auer

Jan 21, 2024

Dear Marc,
also with my brand new EQ8 RH Pro the USB hub does not work.
I tried to download your step-by-step manual for the repair, but unfortunately the link does not work, answer "this page is not available".
Could you please send me a copy to auer.reinhold@gmail.com?
Thank you very much. rfa

ItsMeAstro

Jan 27, 2024

My old Google Drive link didn't work anymore. The new one is : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBFhigXtBEBj_yuZFnLUEiRX6Xi4MDEJ/view?usp=drive_link