NanoHub - tiny USB hub for hacking projects

Name: NanoHub - tiny USB hub for hacking projects
SKU: 7883
Price: 9.90 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.76 (26 reviews)

(26 Reviews)

A 12x12x1.5mm 1-to-2 port USB 2.0 hub for use in cramped hacking projects

Designed by Muxtronics in Netherlands

NanoHub - tiny USB hub for hacking projects 1

NanoHub - tiny USB hub for hacking projects 2

NanoHub - tiny USB hub for hacking projects 3

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NanoHub - tiny USB hub for hacking projects 5

2016-08-23T09:48:54.334Z-nanohub-application.png

2017-10-24T18:42:00.388Z-nanohub-family.jpg

$9.90

Out of Stock

Sold out since Aug 19, 2019

A 12x12x1.5mm 1-to-2 port USB 2.0 hub for use in cramped hacking projects

What is it and why did you make it?

Ever had to cram a USB device into an impossibly small volume, only to find out you've run out of USB ports? Well, I do admit, that is kind of a niche application. Nevertheless, I recently had to add multiple USB devices inside my tablet and as you might imagine, space is at a premium in there. So I created the NanoHub, the smallest USB 2.0 hub in the world. It doesn't have proper USB connectors, you have to solder wires to it. This, though, made it possible for me to make a USB hub that is substantially smaller than a standard type-A USB connector. Pretty sweet, eh?

Directions for use

This USB hub is really for hacking projects, by people who are comfortable soldering tiny wires. The NanoHub's connection points are spaced just right to use with standard 1.27mm (0.050") ribbon cable or flat USB cables. Because these aren't properly impedance matched wires, you will not be able to use more than approx. 400mm cable lengths reliably. Also, carefully observe and double-check the polarity of your wires. The correct pole designation is on the back of the board. Getting this wrong almost certainly means damaging the NanoHub and any attached USB devices. After building it into your project, in order to avoid accidental shorts, use heatshrink or kapton tape around the board to insulate it.

Make sure to check out the official documentation on muxtronics.nl linked in the sidebar

Long term support

This product is categorized as long-term support (LTS) by Muxtronics, meaning that: - The product will be available for a long time - Its product page will feature a discontinuation notice at least 12 months before discontinuing the product - The product can still be backordered after discontinuation with an approx. 8-week lead time - Volume pricing will remain relatively stable (barring raises due to inflation, currency fluctuations)

This decision has been made due to the large number of customers integrating NanoHubs into their products and requestion long-term availability and price stability.

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Quantity	Price
1-24	$9.90
25-99	$8.90
100+	$8.40

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.81)

Documentation: (4.58)

Shipping: (4.81)

Communication: (4.85)

Nicholas | Sept. 2, 2019

Awesome device.

Works perfectly as advertised. This thing is tiny! Prefect size to fit into almost any project. I definitely recommend this hub!

Jacob | July 15, 2019

unique product

This thing earns it's name, to say it's tiny is an understatement. Using it to embed an arduino into a keyboard housing. Wherever you need to add a hub this thing will surely go, the through holes match the form factor and are nano as well so be prepared for that. Board is of high quality, would order from Mux again.

Eric | June 28, 2019

Awesome little hub

I used the 2 port hub to add a micro SD slot to my sony vaio UX280P micro PC via an unused internal USB ribbon. It really does work well in tiny applications with little space like this.

Michael | June 4, 2019

Awesome!

I used the nano hub inside one of my playstation classic controllers. This allowed me to hook up a USB micro sd reader and the controller. This meant i could then run bleemsync from the stealth sd card hidden inside the controller instead of having a USB stick hanging off port 2. The nano hub is well built, clearly labelled and an all round excellent product. Shipping from the Netherlands to the UK took approximately 4 days and dispatch was within 24 hours from placing the order. I would definitely recommend the product to anyone needing a 2 port hub within limited spacing!

Pascal | June 1, 2019

I am very happy

Hello, I bought two Nanohub I am very happy, the seller makes a very fast shipping, I have a hub 4 ports USB 3 where I installed on a USB port 3, (the Nanohub) I am very happy everything works fine, I recommend this seller for this Nanohub. thank you very much see you soon . A+++++

Emilio | April 30, 2019

Just what I was looking!

Great product, the website is well documented and is small as I need it and fast shipping
The ribbon cable will work best

Mehmet | April 17, 2019

Wonderfulllll

I couldn't assemble it yet.
How small is this , Ohhhh My God.

Look picture ;

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYePV7BzsNg/XLcr6D85C9I/AAAAAAAAyqc/Myh8UtDe_h4iIN2S2X3OxL0RkQKfZn0OACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/WhatsApp%2BImage%2B2019-04-17%2Bat%2B16.35.29.jpeg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAzMNEfIpkw/XLcr6iTPtYI/AAAAAAAAyqk/onhihq6Ne5EbRNDEEZm1wjJIUAx8j0FmACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/WhatsApp%2BImage%2B2019-04-17%2Bat%2B16.35.29%2B%25281%2529.jpeg

Carl | April 9, 2019

Works flawlessly, really small physical dimensions

This product is working great in my prototypes. Due to the tight spacing, it's moderately difficult to solder. If it were offered in a 2.54mm pitch, I'd probably get that instead for my next order, but I'm very happy with the ones I've bought.

Peter | March 25, 2019

Great product

Used as a port Expander on a raspberry pi zero. Great working board. Intuitive and easily approachable. Keep in mind that the holes are tiny. Shipping was quick and product appropriately packaged in antistatic bag.

Simone | Feb. 3, 2019

Very useful and tiny

I have just used the NanoHub for make a kind of Y USB cable.
Even if the board is very small and thin, the soldering was easy thanks to the through hole pins.
The board worked at the first time without problem, no driver issue or software problem.
Shipping in Italy was fast, just 1 week.

Thank you!
Simone

Mikhail | Dec. 12, 2018

Great little hub

Works as expected, no issues so far. It's a really tiny board: amazing work fitting this into such a small board.
Unlike the 4-port version, the holes for USB ports are grouped together, which means:
- Easy to solder ribbon cables.
- You can even use a JST-ZH connector on input and/or one of the output ports (not both)
- Not so good with higher currents.

Luca | Nov. 28, 2018

Really small hub! Perfect for custom projects

The hubs are really really small. Once they arrive you really realize how small they are. Hence the holes to solder the wires are also really small and close together. I've used a older soldering station and I've destroyed some. So, when you do the work, be sure that you've the right instruments.
Overall, they are perfect for custom projects where the space is a problem. They take really just a bit of space, compared to any other hub; I've the 2 ports version, but the 4 ports, what normally you can buy around, it looks just a bit bigger.

Finally, the seller is really friendly and helps you with any question. If I'll need such a small hub in the future I know where to buy them.

Thanks!

Kelvin | Oct. 28, 2018

How small?!

So this is one of those things that you kinda know is going to be small, I mean it says so in the name "Nano". I really wasn't prepared for just HOW small this thing is! It has been great I was able to fit it into my project with no problems at all because it takes up no space at all.

This does lead to one thing because of its size, connections. As it is so small the connections are corrispondinly tiny. You need a small soldering iron to get into it. Kinda wish it were a little bigger with 0.1 pads but that's a personal thing. It is a great product.

Peter | July 13, 2018

Great Device, Great Support

I have purchases several 2-port NanoHubs and been quite pleased with the quality. I've never received DOA units. The seller provides very timely support as well.

Streaming HD video at 29FPS is no problem for these little guys. They have stable performance unlike other USB devices which can be finicky.

These devices are tiny and require good tools, lighting, magnification and patience. This is especially true when a solder bridge occurs. *** I recommend always performing a continuity test on all pins before applying power or connecting other devices.***

PS - spend the extra bucks and get tracking on your shipment. That way you can be angry at customs and not the seller.

Update - the customer service is Excellent! I am so appreciative of all the fast and thorough responses I've received.

Update 2 - be very careful about supplying only 5V power and nothing higher.

Kai | April 29, 2018

THANK YOU ... please never sunset, i love this small NanoHub

Muxtronics: thank you ! .. works great I use this hub in many projects, always part of my pcbs (soldered the hub in sandwich), great hub !

one idea (to improve), one question:

- to make it even better maybe change the grid of the holes from 1.5 to 1.27 mm, this would allow to use standard pin connectors.

- question (maybe stupid, maybe I miss anything?) how to use this hub in a active way ? can I connect any Vcc 5V power adapter ? if yes, do I have to connect to usb in (via a diode to avoid backflow in usb in) or using the external Vcc instead the V of the 2 out ports ?
or do I need something like this ?: https://www.tindie.com/products/mux/usb-datapower-merger-anti-splitter/

all help welcome ! THX !
:)

David | April 15, 2018

Fun, tiny hub

Exactly what I needed. I work with a PSOC MiniProg, which doesn't carry UART, so I have to add on an FTDI for serial, so, with this tiny hub, I'm able to have a small, easy to carry programming package. I had to improvise on the thru-holes, using headers on top and bottom, but are there any recommendations in the future?

Matthew | April 7, 2018

These are really nice for the price.

They are really tiny. If your soldering skills aren't up to snuff, make sure you practice on something else first.
In the end, when installed properly these are amazing and do exactly what you would expect.

Non-DHL shipping to the US is glacial, but not the fault of the project.

Documentation at the time of writing does not include much in the way of cabling information.
The store page does point out an issue with cable length. It would be helpful if the cable length
on the store page were included on the documentation page.

Communication was polite and helpful.

From someone who struggled with cabling for a few days - Unless you are great at making USB cables,
you should consider not making your own. Get a pre-made cable and snip the ends off.
I initially had difficulties with distance, and many USB errors. This was not a fault with the hub, but me failing
at making my own cable.

Colin | Dec. 24, 2017

Love this little thing! Perfect for my keyboard project.

Thanks for making this product, it's such a great, simple tool. I'm using it in a mechanical keyboard case so I can embed my wireless mouse receiver.

Chan | Nov. 5, 2017

Great Product, Small Size can fit to use in my laptop

First of all, the shipping is faster than my expectation. Great!

After I got the product, that's wonderful and it is really small size. Actually, I looked for the small USB2 hub board some time already for the modification of my laptop. After I installed it into my laptop, the size is not a problem at all to install it, it works without any problem.

Thanks a lot.

Christian | Oct. 1, 2017

Not working...

One of usb channels does´nt work...
I´ve very good soldering experience so I think it was DOA.....

Response from Muxtronics | Oct. 3, 2017

Hi there Christian,

If you would please send me a DM with your order number, I will replace your unit ASAP.

Massimo | May 22, 2017

Good product

Hello.
We are developing a product using security concept based on HID device and mass storage device. but just one USB port available
I used your product to test.very good all is ok;

Bela | March 21, 2017

Excellent, very small

For next redesign of the product, I propose to use rather 1.27 pitch for the connectors.

I managed to solder angled headers with 1.27 pitch on the 1.5 pitch connectors and could connect 1.25 molex sockets but it requires more time and more error-prone. Having 1.27 would make such use case easier.

Andy | March 3, 2017

It's smaller than you can imagine!

My Nanohub just arrived and oh boy, it is FREAKING SMALL. I'm not a technical expert (hell, I'm a novice hacker at best) but it seems well put together and comes with clear labeling. I'm a little scared of soldering this as the holes are so very very tiny but I'm sure I'll get there in the end.

Muxtronics provided EXCELLENT customer service, replying to my silly questions in a very fast time frame. Very happy, will definitely buy from you again in the future!

Stephen | Jan. 31, 2017

Works well

I used both the 2 port and 4 port versions. I connected 2 wifi adaptors and a BLE adaptor to a RPi Zero with the 4 port, and 2 wifi adaptors with the 2 port version.

Anecdotally, the 2 port version appears to get warmer than the 4 port version, even when driving a smaller load. I haven't had any power issues and the hubs work out of the box with Raspberry Pi Raspbian.

Works as described with no issues. The soldering is a little messy but works, and perhaps the edges of the PCB could have been cleaner, but this is really overly-critical of a fine product.

If I have future projects requiring a small USB hub, this will be the first place I come to.

Jonas | Oct. 6, 2016

works like a charm

Fantastic communication with the seller. Very valuable troubleshooting help. Lesson learned: Never trust the colors of USB cables, green/white might be mixed up!

Sergei | Sept. 23, 2016