Alpha Throttle unit and USB extension cables

[PRB]

So, I bought the Honeycomb Alpha throttle unit some months ago. Love it. Works great. This weekend I re-arranged stuff in my office. Upon plugging in all the cables, all of a sudden Windows doesn’t know what the thing is when I plug it in. “Unknown USB device is not recognized by Windows” message. Long story short, if I use a USB extension cable with a blue connector to connect the Alpha throttle unit to my computer, Windows doesn’t recognize it. Any USB extension with black or white connector works fine. The long version of the story is I spent the last couple hours learning this! In case this helps anyone in the future.

 

[Tom Clayton]

The blue connector is USB 3.0 or greater, but I don't know if there's a difference in how it's wired. It could well be a compatibility issue.

 

[PRB]

Correct, regarding the blue connectors. But why would they cause "loss of recognition" with Windows? That's weird.

 

[jmig]

I just purchased Alpha and Bravo units for my fourth flight sim cockpit redo. I am simplifying for use with VR. I also want to fly both with a yoke and right-hand throttles, and a stick with left hand throttles, as the occasion arises. My solution was to remove the right side of the cockpit where the side stick was and build a flip able long table like consol. On one end I mounted the Honeycomb throttles. On the other end the side stick. I just flip the wheeled console 180 to get to what I want.

I have both the Bravo Throttles and the TM Joystick connected to the computer's usb ports using extension cables. Both work perfectly. Experience has taught me to connect joysticks and complicated devices directly to the computer. If unable, use a powered usb port. (Which is how the Alpha is connected) That usually works. If it doesn’t swap things between the computer and the powered usb box until they all work.

If NONE of that works. Try and purchase an addon usb card that works with a PCI slot inside the computer.