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+--- Thread: USB hub versus multiplexer (/Thread-USB-hub-versus-multiplexer)
- phauselm - April 18, 2009
Dear all,
I've been skimming through the many topics that touch on the issue but did not really find an answer:
What is best to use to connect multiple instruments and why: a USB hub or a multiplexer?
To my non-expert impression, the former offers the advantage of cost and simplicity, but many seem to refer only to the latter.
Thank you in advance for any clarification.
- jagasail - April 18, 2009
Sort of depends on how complex your setup is and how many instruments you have attached. For just a few a USB hub is fine, but with several instruments, particularly if you have more than one or two sending nmea data, a multiplexer is better because it can act as a traffic cop over the flow of data. For me it's particularly useful because I often have more than one instrument transmitting GPS data (seems everything has gps these days) and it will prioritize and only pass one of them on so they don't conflict. I can control that priority. It also acts as a translator from Raymarine's Seatalk to nmea (my wind/speed/depth are Raymarine).
Scot
edit - should also add that a usb is fine if you're only attaching usb devices, but many of us are using the multiplexer to integrate all of our instruments, most of which don't have usb.
- phauselm - April 18, 2009
Thanks Scot for the quick reply
I think the network I'm setting up is quite simple: GPS and AIS connected to GPSnavX or (Fugawi on PC emulation) and Navtex connected to specific software (runs on PC emulation).
GPS is also connected to VHF but I guess it does not change anything
all have RS232 to USB connections and all transmit NMEA data. How big the risk of collisions?
I do not need to have my B&G network connected to the Mac
Pierre
- jagasail - April 18, 2009
Pierre,
Unless you're really cash strapped I'd try the usb first. Even if you later go for a multiplexer it would be a useful backup. I also found with my gps/plotter I can't upload routes/waypoints via nmea so I need a usb adapter for that anyway.
Scot
- phauselm - April 18, 2009
Scot,
Once again, thanks a lot. I'll follow your advise.
Pierre