Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight
by Kensington
List Price:
Our Price: $31.25
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Buy Used: from $19.99 (click here)
Category: CE
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: KensingtonModel: 33118
Product features:
- Weighted base and non-skid feet stay put
- Seven USB ports to connect up to seven devices
- USB 2.0 delivers up to 40 times the speed of USB 1.1
- Free FlyLight included
- Works with USB 2.0 and 1.1
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight
Customer Review: Kensington's Customer Support (Revised) & DomeHub Review
Summary: 3 Stars
[Reviewer's Note: I originally reviewed this item a few days ago and gave it one star for poor pre-sales support. I deleted the original review (because Amazon won't let us change the star rating on a review revision) and am re-posting my review with a new rating and updated comments.]
Original Review, posted 07-Feb-2006:
I have not yet purchased this DomeHub, so I cannot comment on its functionality or quality. The reason I have not bought it is because I need pre-sales information about the device, and this is where I'm running into problems.
My questions are simple:
1. Is the uplink cable (hub-to-computer) permanently attached to the hub?
2. If not, what type of USB connector does it use at the hub?
3. If so, how long is the attached uplink cable?
Easy, right? You'd think Kensington would have included those details in their product specs. But their own Website has scant information on the device (and even incorrectly refers to the DomeHub as the "FlyHub"). There is a link on their Web page to the Owner's Guide, but it's a dead link.
So several days ago, I submitted my questions in writing to their Online Technical Support. So far, no one has responded. Finally, I tried calling their Tech Support phone number. After all, Kensington is in California and I'm in California, so I should be able to get a quick answer to these simple questions. But after waiting on hold for 10 minutes, I was transferred to a customer service representative in... India! The guy who answered was quickly stumped by my request for details on this product. He asked to put me on hold and then promptly disconnected me.
So buyer beware if you purchase a Kensington product and ever need support for it!
Review Update, posted 09-Feb-2006:
I finally received a written response to the support questions I posted at Kensington's Web site. While I was on the phone with Kensington's Tech Support (before I was disconnected), I did mention that I had submitted the questions on their site, so perhaps that prompted them to respond. Or perhaps it just takes them several days to answer. In any case, I raised my rating to three stars because they did ultimately answer my questions.
And for those who are wondering, these are the answers I received: the USB uplink cable (hub to computer) is "permanently attached to the hub and cannot be unplugged" and is 3 feet long.
It is unfortunate that, on a device that's supposed to address the common shortcomings of USB hubs, Kensington chose to cut corners on the uplink cable. What good is a weighted, well-organized hub on your desktop if the uplink cable won't reach your computer?
For a desktop hub (as opposed to a hub designed for notebook travel), the minimum cable length should be 6 feet. Furthermore, they should have made the cable detachable (with a standard USB Type-B connection at the hub) so that users can change the cable to meet their needs.
Despite the (rather serious) issue of the uplink cable, I just ordered this USB hub because I've found no other competing product that offers the features of weight (to stay put), stability, cable organization, and a convenient top or front accessible port for my portable USB drive. But it meant that I also had to order a USB extension cable (Type-A Male to Type-A Female). I'll post additional information after I receive and test the hub.
Description of Kensington DomeHub 7-port USB 2.0 Hub with FlyLight
Kensington K33118 7-port USB 2.0 DomeHub K33118USB USB HubsDigital Cameras & Photo Categories
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