What is the right USB Hub for me...?

Hi team, I am taking the slow road to expanding my setup and am looking at purchasing the ZWO Electronic Focuser.

However, my laptop only has 3 USB ports and they are all currently in use when I am shooting because of my:
- Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro Mount
- ZWO ASI 533MC Pro Camera
- ZWO ASI 120MM Guide Cam.

I believe my solution is to go with a USB Hub and attach it to the mount (to try to resolve some of the cabling issues) which will allow for only 1 cable back to the Laptop.

Am I on the right track or is there a better solution (not interested in the ASIAir at this point)?

If a USB Hub is the best way, will it need to be powered?

Any examples of setups like mine that have solved this problem?

Thanks in advance…

Easiest thing to do is use a USB hub. Yes, it should be powered. To provide for future additional USB devices, don't skimp on the number of ports. I have had very reliable results with the Anker 10 Port Powered USB3 Hubs. They're downward compatible with USB2 devices and have indicator LEDs for hub power and the individual port connections. That way you know what USB device is actually working.

HTH.

Michael

I have a plugable 7 port USB hub. It comes with a 12v 5a power supply and runs off 12v like your mount and camera so it makes it nice and easy to use batteries. It has been reliable even in the freezing cold. It is only USB 2 but that really only matters if you plan to do high frame rate planetary imaging. It powers my guide camera, 2 dew heaters, my main camera (dummy battery for Sony A7R) and my focuser and still has enough left to power my flat panel. It handles the data from my 36mp camera and 1080p webcam at 5fps for guiding, so a lot more data that your setup. All for less than $50.

Good advice listed above. Key things to consider. ( USB3.0, 12Vdc.) This allows me to use a 3D printer power supply for my rig that runs everything - Mount, Camera, USB hub, Dew heater, Focus motor and a BLink mini pc. I mount the USB3.0 hub (5 port) on OTA along with the dew heater controller. I use 2 USB3.0 cables to the Mini PC (mounted on tripod leg). One cable from hub, 2nd cable from mounting. Camera, Rotator, Guide Camera and focus motor all connect to hub on OTA. Made a custom octopus cable that powers devices on the OTA from 1 power cable running to OTA and one power cable to mini pc. Clean and allows me to keep everything assembled when attaching or removing the OTA from mounting…

On my DSO telescope I use the Pegasus PowerBox Advance Gen 2. It has 4 powered outlets, 4 USB inputs and 2 dew heater outputs and allows me to just have 2 wires coming from my mount, USB and power. It is also power protected from surges.

However, on my Solar telescope, I just use a 4-slot powered USB hub because I don't use all the accessories as my DSO scope.

Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 APO Triplet ( Starman609 ) - AstroBin

I can’t stress enough, USB3 only matters for high frame rate planetary imaging. USB2 is more tolerant of cable length, electrical noise, and overall more robust with fewer dropouts and hangs as the devices don’t even try to negotiate the higher frequency speeds. It’s also much cheaper but it’s more important that it’s more robust and reliable.

Many people who complain about USB issues could solve them by downgrading to USB2 and not trying to run the higher frequencies of USB3 in what is technically a harsh environment with several sources of electrical noise to make things even worse.

Just starting out in the summer I ran with the Anker USB hubs. They are powered and that part was ok. (model A7505) They were slightly sensitive though. While they ran consistently once connected, there seemed to be some voodoo to my startup process. Sometimes an EFW wouldn't connect, other times the guide camera.

I ended up switching to the Pegasus powerboxes (ultimate and the advance gen2). I needed something for a dew heaters anyways and this definitely simplified the cable mess handling both usb and power connections. It's definitely nice to be able to remotely cycle power to a single port if something isn't behaving as well.

You already have an USB hub in your camera. The ZWO ASI 533 MC Pro has a build-in hub with 2 USB 2.0. I use it for the ZWO guide camera and EAF focuser, and then connect the USB 3 cable to the computer. Based on your description, you are not in need of an additional hub for the focuser.

-Gert

I have been using this hub,
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1496361-REG/xcellon_sh4_3h1hc_2_4_port_powered_usb_3_0.html
without issues down to -10c ambient.
Dan

- ZWO ASI 533MC Pro Camera
- ZWO ASI 120MM Guide Cam

Not sure why you need a hub when the ASI 533MC Pro has two spare USB ports. I use the ASI 2600MC Pro USB ports for a ZWO focuser and 120 guide camera. Never skip a beat. Just works. Also keeps cables short which in my opinion is half the battle.

Gert Eriksen:
You already have an USB hub in your camera. The ZWO ASI 533 MC Pro has a build-in hub with 2 USB 2.0.

Holy sh!tballs...how did I not know this?!?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

ASI 533MC Pro has two spare USB ports.

Yep,... I didn't know that... :-)

Thank you...problem solved without the need to spend...

To All,
The other day I ran into an issues with too many USB hubs connected in series. Window operating systems limits the number of hubs that can be connected in series to 5 hubs. I needed to connect two 32' USB 3.0 cables connected in series. That configuration has 4 USB hubs in it. I'm using 1 hub at the scope and no problem until I applied power to ASI camera that has a built in hub so Windows generated a "Too many USB hubs warning" message. To solve the problem, I replaced the 2 USB cables with a 100' USB over fiber cable that supports USB3 and USB2. If anyone goes this route, be advised there are some USB over fiber cables that do not support USB2.

Rod

Hi team, I am taking the slow road to expanding my setup and am looking at purchasing the ZWO Electronic Focuser.

However, my laptop only has 3 USB ports and they are all currently in use when I am shooting because of my:
- Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro Mount
- ZWO ASI 533MC Pro Camera
- ZWO ASI 120MM Guide Cam.

I believe my solution is to go with a USB Hub and attach it to the mount (to try to resolve some of the cabling issues) which will allow for only 1 cable back to the Laptop.

Am I on the right track or is there a better solution (not interested in the ASIAir at this point)?

If a USB Hub is the best way, will it need to be powered?

Any examples of setups like mine that have solved this problem?

Thanks in advance...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08K8CLM8Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Used this one , not powered though and works with everything. My ASC plugs into it and is 20 ft long and works like a dream.
Roger