Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub
by Belkin Components
List Price:
Our Price: $6.72
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Belkin ComponentsAudio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: F5U407
Color: BLACK
Product features:
- Compact design ideal for travel
- 4 downstream ports with data transfer rates up to 480Mbps
- Compatible with both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices
- Convenient plug-and-play installation
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub
Customer Review: Excellent little USB hub...compares well to others
Summary: 5 Stars
I am doing a project that requires integrating a USB hub. Because of that, I bought several small USB hubs (which I will remove the connectors from) to see which I liked the best. The first thing I did was do a quick functionality check. All worked. Then I cracked open the cases (see photos listed as "customer photos" for this listing...I posted photos to the respective listings for all 3). Here are my reviews for all 3 items so you can compare:
Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra Mini Hub F5U407
Tiny gripe...way too much packaging and not very easy to get into.
Cord is also a bit short, but seems to have the nicest construction. I'm also very please to see the proper termination, and the nice connection to the board. It's potted! This means that the wires have very little chance of coming out even if tugged on quite hard.
Like the GWC, this one is machine assembled, multilayered. Nice, quality soldering. It could have been more compact, but not by a lot. It has fewer components overall when compared to the GWC, but that's likely because it has a nicer processor. It's running a Genesys GL850G which is a very high performance USB hub processor with lots of buffer and capability. Shouldn't bottle neck at all.
Ports are on each side. This makes it take up more space but is more versatile if that's not an issue for you. This is the shortest of the 3 through in height.
Again, a stupid LED on top. Really guys...LEDs are pretty, but not necessary unless they tell me something more useful than that it's plugged in and has power.
Nice case, not too bad to crack open, but I don't think it'll fall apart if you don't want it to.
Works with all modern versions of Windows and supposedly MAC too. Installs it's own drivers.
Overall a nice choice...a little bigger than the one I'm choosing, but it's also got double the ports.
This is the cheapest and most capable. If I weren't as interested in space, I'd choose it.
Fuse Powerslice 06774 2-Port USB Hub
This one was probably the smallest if you are okay with side mounted connectors. It also has the shortest cable. Easiest to open eco-friendly packaging. Then I went to open the plastic case...it popped open with just a small tug, minimal pressure and doing so broke a tab. Inside though is where the truth is revealed.
First, it's a one sided board. This means that the traces for the circuitry are all on one side. You cannot see the IC as it's under one of those protective black gobs they put on things never meant to be seen again, but it obviously has very few traces coming out. This may indicate a very simplified IC (other solutions use proper processors which need quite a few external components and have a good 40 traces). Alternatively, it could be an okay processor with the multiple components under the black dot which would be acceptable. However, the use of a single layer board and the otherwise shoddy construction do not make me hold out much hope. It would be interesting to speed test this unit. I have my doubts that it can perform as the others given this. Considering my computer didn't register a new device when this was plugged in (as it does with other USB things) I have a bad feeling they may just be doing some sort of alternating between the two ports and treating this like a pass through. (Can't prove it though)
Now, taking a look at the side of the board and what components and connections you can see, it's IMMEDIATELy apparent that it's a really, really sloppy hand soldering job. Solder is crazed, not smooth and shiny, big gobs in places, holes not completely filled, jumpers made out of little wire bits (which is how they get around having a 1 layer board). This was not done by a trained technician. Many of the connections would be completely unacceptable for anyone with any form of certification. Lots of flux and glue mess too...no one bothered to properly clean the board after assembly. This is a hand solder job and a bad one. I don't mean to criticize the poorly paid labor of some 5 year old in China, but cripes! It's amazing it works at all and makes me hope they test all out of the factory, because if not, expect failure rate right out of the box to be high.
Run a full 1/2 A (max USB load) through either port and those bare wires are going to heat up big time as well. Without the protective resistors and caps between the ports, I could see some sizzle potential if you had the wrong two devices plugged in attempting to share power.
I would expect poor performance even when it's working perfectly and if it fails, I'd not be surprised at all.
GWC HU2024 USB 2.0 2-Port Hub
Personally, this is my favorite.
One problem that's immediately apparent however is that the connector with two ports stacked on top will not always work for 2 devices however. Some manufacturer's insist on putting ungodly connector jackets on their USB cables which would prevent the other port from being used. (Think the giant wall worts that cover up both outlets). However, for my particular project I like the compactness of it.
It is machine assembled with very nice, tight compact design on a multi-layer board utilizing proper soldering and parts placement. The processor is an NEC 720114. I think it might be an obsolete part, but it's at least a proper one to use with low power consumption and certified USB 2.0 performance (datasheet available online). Driver installation for all current version of Windows (and Mac so it claims).
Cable is properly terminated and shielded. It appears (but I'm not 100% sure) that the board may even be conformally coated on the back to protect it. If so this is a very pleasant surprise.
Case was very difficult to pry open (had to actually damage the case to get it open...that's not a bad thing since most people don't want the case to crack off. No wasted space for LEDs either which I approve of...either it works or it doesn't. I don't need an LED to tell me I'm plugged in, thank you.
It also has overcurrent protection. If any port exceeds current it'll shut that port down and protect your computer and devices. For my personal use that's a downside, but for most people, enjoy it and be happy since it's generally a good thing.
Overall, I like it.
Description of Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub
The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub provides four downstream USB ports for Plug-and-Play connectivity to your USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices. A perfect lightweight travel tool, this compact Hub tucks easily into the pocket of your laptop bag, and requires no extra power supply. It offers an ideal way to connect on the road, and virtually anywhere you need fast, handy access to your USB devices.Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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