A couple of years ago when I got my first USB3 video astronomy camera, the longest USB3 Active Extension Cable that worked well for me for video astronomy was 32’ long. Active extension cables require their own 5v power source usually at the far end of the cable in order to properly power the video camera and maintain a good signal back to your comptuer. This was long enough to use for Remote Video Astronomy at my home from my backyard to my laptop in our sunroom.
However, 32’ was not long enough to reach to our family room where I sometimes show live deep sky objects from my telescope outside on our large TV screen. When I needed more length, I put two 32’ cables together, but the second cable also required power. So a second power source mid-way was needed. I hoped there would be longer active USB3 cables available over time.
Recently I purchased a MutecPower 65 Foot Active USB Extension Cable 3.0 from Amazon for $70 which included an AC Power Supply.
However, 32’ was not long enough to reach to our family room where I sometimes show live deep sky objects from my telescope outside on our large TV screen. When I needed more length, I put two 32’ cables together, but the second cable also required power. So a second power source mid-way was needed. I hoped there would be longer active USB3 cables available over time.
Recently I purchased a MutecPower 65 Foot Active USB Extension Cable 3.0 from Amazon for $70 which included an AC Power Supply.
The 5v power attaches at the end of the cable. The cable has 3 Extension chipsets for signal boosters (one at the end and two equally spaced along the cable).
In the past, I have sometimes used a portable battery containing usb power ports to provide 5v to power my active USB cables. I found I could use it with this 65’ cable as well if no AC power was available at the telescope. Each of the signal boosters have a blue led that turns on when power is applied.
So far I have been pleased with the quality of this 65 foot cable which provides plenty of power for my MallinCam DS10c video astronomy camera. The 3 signal boosters maintain the USB3 signal well back to my computer.
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