USB hub for Virpil devices and more...

[Double Dutch]

Hello,

I am switching to an electrical desk with cable management and had the idea of buying 1 USB hub and stick in anything that comes of my Monitor, webcam, mouse, TrackIR, Virpil peddles, throttle and Joystick. USB speakers even?

1. I know USB-A can cope with 127 devices, but will everything keep working?

2. What are your suggestion for an excellent USB hub?

Anyone have a USB and USB-C hub ( 1 or 2 ports USB-C?)

Thank you!

Edited September 14, 2024 by Double Dutch

[Wostg]

I have a Winwing MIP which takes up 7 (!) usbs for the mfds and ufc, plugged into one powered Anker USB 60w 10x hub (7 data + 3 unused power-only) that keeps all the cables tidy and hidden behind, keeping one USB3 port on the pc occupied. I have another Sabrent 90w 16x powered hub for hotas, collective and rudder, plus I think mouse/kb abd bluetooth maybe? with a few shameful free spots remaining. They don't have any usb-c ports, but I can say that all the usb mfd screens etc are perfectly happy.

[Double Dutch]

29 minutes ago, Wostg said:

I have a Winwing MIP which takes up 7 (!) usbs for the mfds and ufc, plugged into one powered Anker USB 60w 10x hub (7 data + 3 unused power-only) that keeps all the cables tidy and hidden behind, keeping one USB3 port on the pc occupied. I have another Sabrent 90w 16x powered hub for hotas, collective and rudder, plus I think mouse/kb abd bluetooth maybe? with a few shameful free spots remaining. They don't have any usb-c ports, but I can say that all the usb mfd screens etc are perfectly happy.

Thanks, just want to make sure I buy the right thing, so much Chinese alie express garbage being resold for premium prices everywhere.

[Mr_sukebe]

I use an externally powered Anker unit.  It has 7 data ports and 3 charging ports.  Well I say I have one, that's not really true, I have 3, two for most of my devices and one to keep the VR headset charged whilst I play.  No issues in the 2-3 years that I've had them.

[TKhaos]

2 hours ago, Double Dutch said:

Thanks, just want to make sure I buy the right thing, so much Chinese alie express garbage being resold for premium prices everywhere.

Anker, Sabrent and StarTech all do decent powered USB hubs, Anker quite often come out in the number one spot for the hubs especially the USB 3.0 powered. TP-Link and Belkin do some decent ones but you don't get as many ports so probably not much use for upgrading. StarTech can be a bit pricey but is decent.

I have stuff by Anker, Belkin, TP-Link, StarTech and Sabrent and it's all decent bits of kit, when it comes to power banks I only use Anker and Belkin and some are still going strong and holding charge after 5+ years of extensive use, bit off topic

I've used all the brands above and never had any issues with any of them, supplied well over a 1000 different bits of kit from these brands over the years and don't remember having to return anything in all that time. Been using StarTech and Belkin since the late 80's, Sabrent and TP-Link probably 20 years and Anker for maybe 9 or 10 years.

I would never buy anything off Ali Express for a computer, well actually anything at all  

Edited September 15, 2024 by TKhaos

[Double Dutch]

On 9/15/2024 at 2:33 AM, TKhaos said:

Anker, Sabrent and StarTech all do decent powered USB hubs, Anker quite often come out in the number one spot for the hubs especially the USB 3.0 powered. TP-Link and Belkin do some decent ones but you don't get as many ports so probably not much use for upgrading. StarTech can be a bit pricey but is decent.

I have stuff by Anker, Belkin, TP-Link, StarTech and Sabrent and it's all decent bits of kit, when it comes to power banks I only use Anker and Belkin and some are still going strong and holding charge after 5+ years of extensive use, bit off topic

I've used all the brands above and never had any issues with any of them, supplied well over a 1000 different bits of kit from these brands over the years and don't remember having to return anything in all that time. Been using StarTech and Belkin since the late 80's, Sabrent and TP-Link probably 20 years and Anker for maybe 9 or 10 years.

I would never buy anything off Ali Express for a computer, well actually anything at all  

 

Thank you, it will be Anker or Sabrent then!!

[Double Dutch]

On 9/15/2024 at 2:33 AM, TKhaos said:

Anker, Sabrent and StarTech all do decent powered USB hubs, Anker quite often come out in the number one spot for the hubs especially the USB 3.0 powered. TP-Link and Belkin do some decent ones but you don't get as many ports so probably not much use for upgrading. StarTech can be a bit pricey but is decent.

Ok, don't shoot me, I think I have a stupid question. I see 2 10-ports Sabrent USB 3.0 hubs. One has 10 similar ports, the other has 7 + 3 where the 3 have smart charging. If they are smart charging, does that mean they don't have data transfer so I can't add my mouse or keyboard and only charge?

[TKhaos]

50 minutes ago, Double Dutch said:

Ok, don't shoot me, I think I have a stupid question. I see 2 10-ports Sabrent USB 3.0 hubs. One has 10 similar ports, the other has 7 + 3 where the 3 have smart charging. If they are smart charging, does that mean they don't have data transfer so I can't add my mouse or keyboard and only charge?

Yeah the charge ports are charge only so no data transfer. It's handy if you have things that require a power source for operating or you just want to keep things on charge. It still gives you the 7 x USB 3.0 ports or if you are only interested in expanding the ports they do the 10 port version, as you say without any charging ports.

The Anker A7515 is very similar and a little cheaper but hasn't got the individual switches which are quite handy.

Both have the same power ratings, that's being said USB ports have limits, people think it's powered so just plug whatever in thinking everything will be fine.

So say you got a 16 port hub then plugged in something a bit more power hungry like a USB 3 portable drive to all 16 in then you will have issues. Most manuals that come with the hubs or specs on the websites give recommendations.

Personally I think the Sabrent has a slight edge on the Anker hub with the on/off buttons but then the Anker is more pleasant to look at if you aren't bothered about switches. Both units are almost identical specs wise. You can look the Anker up either by product code or just use 'Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub with 7 USB 3.0 Ports and 3 PowerIQ' 

Edited September 16, 2024 by TKhaos

[Double Dutch]

On 9/16/2024 at 3:19 PM, TKhaos said:

Personally I think the Sabrent has a slight edge on the Anker hub with the on/off buttons but then the Anker is more pleasant to look at if you aren't bothered about switches. Both units are almost identical specs wise. You can look the Anker up either by product code or just use 'Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub with 7 USB 3.0 Ports and 3 PowerIQ' 

 

I bought the ANker 10 port one since I am also changing my Qi phonecharger. So the intelligent PowerIQ ports can do their thing. I did buy a longer USB-A USB-B cable for it because 2.6ft is not long enough for going from my cable tray to my PC.

Thanks for the Advice.

[TKhaos]

11 hours ago, Double Dutch said:

I bought the ANker 10 port one since I am also changing my Qi phonecharger. So the intelligent PowerIQ ports can do their thing. I did buy a longer USB-A USB-B cable for it because 2.6ft is not long enough for going from my cable tray to my PC.

Thanks for the Advice.

Good you got it sorted and it's also serving another purpose with phone charging, I got a 12v Anker adapter in the car with two PowerIQ ports for the phone.