Dual USB topgun : what kind of USB hub?

[superbigjay]

Hello, quick question for you guys using dual LCD topgun.

I want to install an USB HUB directly on my CP box to be able to connect the LCD top guns easilly.

I think I'll need 3 usb slot : gun1 + gun2 + LCD rails.

My question is, can I use a regular self powered 4-port usb hub, or am I better to use a usb hub with an external power supply.

I want to use the recoil function and I'm affraid a self powered usb hub will draw too much current.

Thanks
Jay

[Green Giant]

I am not exactly sure what the specs are for the recoil function, but you will need an external usb power supply.

There are some topics on here that go into more detail, try searching around, but the recoil function requires more power than a regular usb hub can supply.  If you just want the guns and led bars to work, then the computer power supply is sufficient.

[superbigjay]

Thanks GG, I was expecting an answer from you 

I'll look into the spec in more detail and I'll look on ebay for an usb hub with external power supply that will be
easy to mount in my CP box (squared and flat face...)

Jay 

[tba]

LCD top guns require external power for recoil to function, they don't draw it from the USB, that having been said they do draw ALOT of power on their own.

You can't ever really go wrong with a powered hub... the less strain you put on your USB system the better!

[brock.sampson]

I was on the fence on this as well.  I ended up going with a usb card instead of usb hub.  From the searching I did it seemed like people using a hub the mouse ids sometimes got changed around.  I got a cheap 4 port card and some 6' extension cables.  Each gun and recoil are run on separate usb cables.  I have not had any problems with the ids changing.  I used an old usb cable and added a switch to power the lcd bars so I can turn them off when not in use.

[ChicagoDave]

Hi guys, I'm currently having a problem with dual topguns.  First of all, I installed the EMS 3.2 driver and all was running fine, except for the fact that it does not support dual guns.

Then, uninstalled the EMS driver and installed Smog's driver which I understand supports two guns.  The problem that I am having is that I cannot get two guns to work reliably.  The second gun seems to be causing problems.   Basically I cannot boot with both guns plugged in.  I'm not sure what the error is, since I am running component video and do not get a display until windows boots, but I am assuming a BSOD.

Also, if I boot into windows and plug the second gun in, I get a BSOD.  At least that is what I assuming since my TV goes to "unsupported signal" which I assume to be the DOS BSOD screen.

I am plugging the guns into a powered Belkin USB hub.  I haven't tried plugging them into the PC directly yet. 

As anyone else had these problems?  Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

I wish EMS would have a dual gun driver.  I liked their driver, It just needs the dual gun support.

Thanks in advance!