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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: didjamatic on Thu, 03 June 2010, 16:32:18

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 03 June 2010, 16:32:18

What are the best USB hubs you've seen/wanted/used?
Powered vs Passive?

Cool expensive USB hubs (http://www.thinkgeek.com/brain/whereisit.cgi?t=usb+hub&x=0&y=0) at Thinkgeek

Cheap usb hubs (http://www.meritline.com/newsearch.aspx?category=USB+Hubs&SortBy=Looks%20DESC&SearchTerm=Hot_Hot_Hot&refine=y&Hotsellers=yes) at Meritline

Popular usb hubs (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n:172282,k:usb+hub,n:!493964,n:541966&bbn=493964&keywords=usb+hub&ie=UTF8&qid=1275600641&rnid=493964) at Amazon


(http://www.meritline.com/images/product/large/400-007.jpg)

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 04 June 2010, 11:55:24

7-port powered.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: maxlugar on Fri, 04 June 2010, 14:10:11

This is one of the better, more expensive powered USB hubs I've come across.  I like the multiple format memory card reader feature.  I'm probably one of the last few holdouts who still uses compact flash memory (in my iPAQ 210) and it's not easy to find many CF readers these days.

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUH286/ (http://www.iogear.com/product/GUH286/)

A low cost self-powered hub I use at the office is "Cables To Go" 4 port hub.   There doesn't seem to be a model number on it.  I can attach multiple vintage keyboards (Model Ms, Model Fs) using Blue Cube USB adapters to this hub without experiencing any problems.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 04 June 2010, 14:13:04

I still use CF as well...

(http://tanktops2flipflops.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/canon-eos-40d-front-image.jpg)

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: kishy on Fri, 04 June 2010, 14:37:49

I've had hit/miss success with cheapo ebay hubs...vast majority are just fine, but some are baaaad.

Something common to all the cheap ones though...if you unplug it and then immediately replug, even in a different port, it 'malfunctions' (as Windows says). Seemingly you need to let all the electricity "dissipate" before plugging it back in or it goes wonky.

I have a 7 port powered hub off ebay like this. It's also covered in bright colourful LEDs. Works great even with high draw devices but has that weird replugging symptom.

I also have a neat 4 port one where the ports can swivel out the side...gimmicky, but saves space in laptop bag.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: mr_a500 on Sat, 05 June 2010, 13:22:06

Handy thread... I was just wondering what powered hub to use with my Amiga 3000.

Quote from: maxlugar;189622

This is one of the better, more expensive powered USB hubs I've come across.  I like the multiple format memory card reader feature.  I'm probably one of the last few holdouts who still uses compact flash memory (in my iPAQ 210) and it's not easy to find many CF readers these days.

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUH286/ (http://www.iogear.com/product/GUH286/)

Thanks. I'll check that out. I got a cheapo Chinese multi-card reader that totally fell apart a few minutes after I got it. I bought it mainly for reading CF cards (my Amiga 500 CF), but the damn CF port didn't work on the adapter. Then the solder holding the SD slot fell off and the microSD pins broke. I guess I can't expect much for $1, though.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: InSanCen on Sat, 05 June 2010, 15:08:52

Hubwise, I use a Maplin own brand 13 port powered. As I too am a CF holdout, I use a separate cardreader, amongst other on it.
Works fine for me, and I have just tried to duplicate Ripsters "Plug, Unplug" error, but it just registers the device as expected, which is good, as I am prone to "aww, crap, forgot to..." moments, meaning it goes straight back in the port.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: chimera15 on Sat, 05 June 2010, 19:41:51

My favorite is a cyberpower cp-h420p.   It's only 4 port, but it's got a nice 2.6 amp powersupply with it, and I rarely have any power consumption issues with it which most other hubs I have do have.

(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ncsZU17iI0f4PM:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-d-3yVlRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/accessories/usb_hubs/cph420p.html (http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/accessories/usb_hubs/cph420p.html)

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: iMav on Sat, 05 June 2010, 21:05:32

I need a 10+ port USB hub (powered).  I seem to go through cheap ones pretty quickly  (buy a new one every year it seams).

Anyone use the 16 port "super hub" from ThinkGeek?  I'm seriously thinking of buying it (and hoping it lasts)

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: TexasFlood on Sat, 05 June 2010, 22:30:29

Quote from: iMav;190044

I need a 10+ port USB hub (powered).  I seem to go through cheap ones pretty quickly  (buy a new one every year it seams).

Anyone use the 16 port "super hub" from ThinkGeek?  I'm seriously thinking of buying it (and hoping it lasts)

Biggest one I have is a D-Link 7 port which works well.  There are a few different models of Koutech 10 & 13 port USB 2.0 Hubs hubs on Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2%2050001360%2040000026&SubCategory=26&Manufactory=1360&SpeTabStoreType=1) with positive ratings.  I have no personal experience with these or the ThinkGeek 16 port one though.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 05 June 2010, 22:33:45

Here's a "16 port USB hub" (http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Port-Workgroup-USB-Hub-/320541801225?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa1c7bb09#ht_500wt_1010) on ebay for only $.99

;)

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 05 June 2010, 22:58:09

It looks like CyberPower makes a 7 port  (http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/accessories/usb_hubs/cph720p.html)as well.  I've been very happy with one of their 1500va UPS's for home use.

I'd like to hear more details on the MSFT changes in Win7, so far I've been very impressed with 7's support of hardware on my laptop, still on XP on home PC.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: TexasFlood on Sat, 05 June 2010, 23:09:04

Quote from: ripster;190093

This was interesting in that Koutech review.


Maybe that was the problem with my Dlink DUB-H7 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AFZVM/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=a31fb97f-b874-4fc1-82cb-477a24b4d6c6&attrMsgId=LPWidget-A2&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00008VFAF&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BV06GXSWV08M3YZ0WDV).  I put it on my HTPC since it didn't disconnect MP3 players properly on my main PCs.

Show Image

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21F17EZYE9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

That looks like my D-Link 7-port.  I don't have Windows 7 yet so haven't tried that yet.  I plan to put Windows 7 on my WMWare workstation box once I build it though, if I ever get to it, :sad:  That motherboard supports USB 3.0, on at least some of the ports I think, for whatever it's worth, which I suspect isn't much.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: mr_a500 on Tue, 03 January 2012, 09:25:00

Quote from: iMav;190044

I need a 10+ port USB hub (powered).  I seem to go through cheap ones pretty quickly  (buy a new one every year it seams).

Anyone use the 16 port "super hub" from ThinkGeek?  I'm seriously thinking of buying it (and hoping it lasts)

Did you ever get one of those? I just bought one on sale. Even half price it was damn expensive. It better be worth it.

(http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/cef0_16_porter.jpg)

(yes, this is a zombied thread...but I also bought a zombie at ThinkGeek)

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: czarek on Tue, 03 January 2012, 09:32:44

Quote from: ripster;190093

This was interesting in that Koutech review.


Maybe that was the problem with my Dlink DUB-H7 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AFZVM/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=a31fb97f-b874-4fc1-82cb-477a24b4d6c6&attrMsgId=LPWidget-A2&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00008VFAF&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BV06GXSWV08M3YZ0WDV).  I put it on my HTPC since it didn't disconnect MP3 players properly on my main PCs.

Show Image

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21F17EZYE9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

I've got couple of those DLinks (4 and 7 ports versions). Never had any single issue with them. Great hubs.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: davkol on Tue, 03 January 2012, 12:33:23

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Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: nar on Tue, 03 January 2012, 12:50:44

I use this. The Ultra ULT31808 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1187801&CatId=4756)

(http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/SkuImages/gallery/large/ULT-31808-d.JPG)

As I usually use both a desktop and a laptop, the dual computer thing is awesome.

Title: Best USB Hubs?
Post by: sordna on Tue, 03 January 2012, 13:10:10

I use a Targus PA050U 4-port USB hub. It's powered, but I use it without the power supply it came with; as long as you don't hook up power hungry hard drives it works fine! I tried a webcam, a keyboard, and 2 usb sticks at the same time without power and they worked without a hitch! Can't beat it at just 5 bucks on amazon.