Sd card to Micro SD slot, is there a way?

[Roger99]

http://linitx.com/product/11141
Don't worry. Google was the last thing I thought of too.

That's a link to an SD to miniSD adaptor. The original request was for SD to microSD. Luckily at the same site they have those too.
http://linitx.com/product/11922

Yeah, on the same page too if you scroll down. It was getting very late and I wasn't getting too particular sorry.

The problem with Google in this case is that it conjures up lots of links for an adaptor working in the reverse direction, so the few genuine hits get swamped by background noise.

Nasty search engine Google. Not like the good old days before (good ol' Metacrawler and Megacrawler) when you could use Boolean operators and get very specific results. Still the illusion of user friendly sells over effectiveness. That's what we're stuck with unfortunately.

Regards,
Peter

--

The one serious conviction one should hold is that nothing should be taken too seriously.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it. -Aristotle
..oh, and I see by the lack of responses that I am right yet again.

 

[Fishrman]

http://linitx.com/product/11141
Don't worry. Google was the last thing I thought of too.

That's a link to an SD to miniSD adaptor. The original request was for SD to microSD. Luckily at the same site they have those too.
http://linitx.com/product/11922

The problem with Google in this case is that it conjures up lots of links for an adaptor working in the reverse direction, so the few genuine hits get swamped by background noise.

Regards,
Peter

You are sooo right about that! Thanks!

 

[Fishrman]

It sounds like you've never seen a Micro SD card! There's no possible way an SD card could fit in a Micro SD slot. It would be like trying to park a Semi truck and trailer in a standard garage.

Hmmm, not sure what I did to deserve that comment. I know there is no way an SD card can fit in a micro SD slot. That is why I was hoping there might be some sort of an adapter with a wire or something similar. I really don't think it would be that hard to come up with if someone would do it.

I didn't mean it to be insulting, I am sorry if it came off that way.

I just bought a brand name 8GB class 6 Micro SD card for $4 for my cell phone. Using some cumbersome external adapter to save that kind of money seems like a poor use of resources.

It would be in your case. In my case, I am trying to adapt a SD Navionics card that cost 179.00. I thought it would make some sense to try an adapter if I could find one. The Navionics card cannot be copied and I have a new depth finder/chartplotter that will only accept the Micro SD card. That is the reason for the question.

 

[Fishrman]

I use the card in a Lowrance fishfinder/chartplotter. It basically has many of the lakes I fish on it and many more. It works like a GPS thus you know where you are at any given time on a body of water. At any rate, I have been told that if one try's to copy one of these cards that it can make the card totally useless. Something about when you put the card in the computer, the computer tries to make it ready to read and in doing so, destroys a necessary file or two making it impossible for the fishfinder/chartplotter to read it any longer. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Fishrman]

Interesting! My fear is that my computer will erase a file that is on the card making it unable to be read by my fishfinder/chartplotter. Not sure I want to take that 179.00 test.

 

[Fishrman]

I'm guessing that you have a new marine GPS device, without full mapping, but have an older mapping (on the Navionics card).

Unfortunately, it would appear that marine GPS is the same as road GPS, in that the maps you buy are effectively tied to the device.

Indeed, they likely take greater steps for marine, as the details won't change nearly so much as do roads!

Personally, I think they should change their business models, so it doesn't seem to be gouging the customer. If they have certain costs and they need certain returns, get them up front, rather than the loss-leader device and then grossly inflated maps.

Garmin is a fine example, where you can buy the maps, then lifetime updates, but if your sat-nav dies the investment is gone.
--
2012 : My new year's resolution -

To be decided...

You got it!

 

[Fishrman]

--

The one serious conviction one should hold is that nothing should be taken too seriously.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it. -Aristotle
..oh, and I see by the lack of responses that I am right yet again.

Hmmm! Time could be a factor or the lack thereof.

 

[GodSpeaks]

It would be in your case. In my case, I am trying to adapt a SD Navionics card that cost 179.00. I thought it would make some sense to try an adapter if I could find one. The Navionics card cannot be copied and I have a new depth finder/chartplotter that will only accept the Micro SD card. That is the reason for the question.

Ok, now we understand the reasoning behind your question. Perhaps you should have put that in your original post.

Are you sure the card cannot be copied?

If you are handy with small tools and electronics, I think it would be possible to fashion such an adapter yourself.

Just had an additional thought: What about using imaging software to create an image of the SD card, then write that image to the microSD card.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

 

[ericN2]

I use the card in a Lowrance fishfinder/chartplotter. It basically has many of the lakes I fish on it and many more. It works like a GPS thus you know where you are at any given time on a body of water. At any rate, I have been told that if one try's to copy one of these cards that it can make the card totally useless. Something about when you put the card in the computer, the computer tries to make it ready to read and in doing so, destroys a necessary file or two making it impossible for the fishfinder/chartplotter to read it any longer. Hope that makes sense.

Think of it this way ...

There are of course many card adaptors in use that are the exact same size and connections as a normal SD card but they take a MICRO card. The connectors within the SD 'shell' have to be exactly as required for SD card use.. so there clearly cannot be any differences in the contacts of an SD card and a MicroSD card..

So that SD to Micro adapator that was shown in a link previously given above here.. has to be simply an alternative to the regular SD to Micro card which is all in one..the adaptor must be the same wiring but the SD card holder is seperate...then an inch or so of wiring (which must simply extend the full connections) to what is then a physically sized MICRO card that is merely an extension of the original SD card.

The only possible snag that I can see in this is that at least SOME MicroSD cards have to be pushed well into a receptor almost fully - only really leaving barely more than enough to get a finger-nail on the end so that it can be pushed-to-extract against a spring-loading. The important point here may be if that adaptor IS capable of being pushed home into whatever MicroSD slot you are going to use it in. Because of the nature of the design of the adaptor in that link (it does at least show a picture of it so you should very likely to be to tell if it would go into the MicroSD slot you are thinking of using) .. if it will do that..I see no way that whatever it goes into should do other than just read the card as though it was doing so from the original SD...

The only thing that is changing from ordinary original use is that the card contents are being read via what is an extended wiring from SD contacts to the equal of a MicroSD plugged into other equipment.

If there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind..why not ASK Navionics.. you are NOT in any way mis-using the card or attempting to copy it..just ask them if it IS OK for you to continue using the card in an adaptor for MicroSD use... as your original equipment using standard SD is not avaiable or in use... They can only say YES or NO.. but I just cannot see what they can object to... you are STILL using the card contents with all the restrictions that apply..it is merely being connected differently.

--
eric
Staffordshire, UK

 

[Fishrman]

It would be in your case. In my case, I am trying to adapt a SD Navionics card that cost 179.00. I thought it would make some sense to try an adapter if I could find one. The Navionics card cannot be copied and I have a new depth finder/chartplotter that will only accept the Micro SD card. That is the reason for the question.

Ok, now we understand the reasoning behind your question. Perhaps you should have put that in your original post.

Are you sure the card cannot be copied?

If you are handy with small tools and electronics, I think it would be possible to fashion such an adapter yourself.

Just had an additional thought: What about using imaging software to create an image of the SD card, then write that image to the microSD card.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

Perhaps I should have done allot of things! I am far from perfect.

Someone else has suggested making an image but I have been told if you simply put the sd card in the computer that is enough to make it unusable again in the fishfinder/chartplotter.

 

[Fishrman]

I use the card in a Lowrance fishfinder/chartplotter. It basically has many of the lakes I fish on it and many more. It works like a GPS thus you know where you are at any given time on a body of water. At any rate, I have been told that if one try's to copy one of these cards that it can make the card totally useless. Something about when you put the card in the computer, the computer tries to make it ready to read and in doing so, destroys a necessary file or two making it impossible for the fishfinder/chartplotter to read it any longer. Hope that makes sense.

Think of it this way ...

There are of course many card adaptors in use that are the exact same size and connections as a normal SD card but they take a MICRO card. The connectors within the SD 'shell' have to be exactly as required for SD card use.. so there clearly cannot be any differences in the contacts of an SD card and a MicroSD card..

So that SD to Micro adapator that was shown in a link previously given above here.. has to be simply an alternative to the regular SD to Micro card which is all in one..the adaptor must be the same wiring but the SD card holder is seperate...then an inch or so of wiring (which must simply extend the full connections) to what is then a physically sized MICRO card that is merely an extension of the original SD card.

The only possible snag that I can see in this is that at least SOME MicroSD cards have to be pushed well into a receptor almost fully - only really leaving barely more than enough to get a finger-nail on the end so that it can be pushed-to-extract against a spring-loading. The important point here may be if that adaptor IS capable of being pushed home into whatever MicroSD slot you are going to use it in. Because of the nature of the design of the adaptor in that link (it does at least show a picture of it so you should very likely to be to tell if it would go into the MicroSD slot you are thinking of using) .. if it will do that..I see no way that whatever it goes into should do other than just read the card as though it was doing so from the original SD...

The only thing that is changing from ordinary original use is that the card contents are being read via what is an extended wiring from SD contacts to the equal of a MicroSD plugged into other equipment.

If there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind..why not ASK Navionics.. you are NOT in any way mis-using the card or attempting to copy it..just ask them if it IS OK for you to continue using the card in an adaptor for MicroSD use... as your original equipment using standard SD is not avaiable or in use... They can only say YES or NO.. but I just cannot see what they can object to... you are STILL using the card contents with all the restrictions that apply..it is merely being connected differently.

--
eric
Staffordshire, UK

I understand exactly what you are saying but not sure I explained why I said what I did relative to my concern of losing the information or making the card unusable. My fear is only in regard with placeing the SD card in my computer, not in the fishfinder/chartplotter. I see no reason at all that the adaptor wouldn't work as it is suppose to. Thank you.

 

[Roger99]

--

The one serious conviction one should hold is that nothing should be taken too seriously.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it. -Aristotle
..oh, and I see by the lack of responses that I am right yet again.

Hmmm! Time could be a factor or the lack thereof.

True, it's a quicky if you are set up and used to jury rigging these things but again, they come pre-made it turns out (link at bottom of page a couple of postings ago and elsewhere here now) so making one would just be stupid.
--

The one serious conviction one should hold is that nothing should be taken too seriously.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it. -Aristotle
..oh, and I see by the lack of responses that I am right yet again.

 

[ericN2]

Someone else has suggested making an image but I have been told if you simply put the sd card in the computer that is enough to make it unusable again in the fishfinder/chartplotter.

I really don't understand HOW such a thing could have implanted itself into your mind.. as it really does seem... it seems inconceivable to me that simply putting a card into anything else..just doing that alone.. as is implied.. can do ANYTHING to change or harm it..

Now if anyone has tried to COPY the card that way.. and made then some physical change in the copy process, I can well imagine that any COPY would simply not be usable.. as that is just what most Sellers of such type just do not want to be done for obvious reasons.

But just putting it into a computer (this time by a required adaptor...which only changes the physical area of contact to suit the MicroSD socket..) does NOT surely affect the card..as it is only being READ.. NOT being written to in any way....UNLESS of course when that particular card is used for plotting..it does in fact take some form of read/write in order to give its information. I'm not familiar with such a card so cannot say how they work.

But as I did say above..why not literally ASK Navionics if it is possible for you to use an adaptor to enable you to place this card into a machine that only takes MicroSD cards..make it clear that you are only wishing to use the card as supplied..but it needs to be read by a MicroSD socket instead of the full SD socket. Surely they will tell you that.

--
eric
Staffordshire, UK

 

[sherwoodpete]

Someone else has suggested making an image but I have been told if you simply put the sd card in the computer that is enough to make it unusable again in the fishfinder/chartplotter.

I really don't understand HOW such a thing could have implanted itself into your mind.. as it really does seem... it seems inconceivable to me that simply putting a card into anything else..just doing that alone.. as is implied.. can do ANYTHING to change or harm it..

Now if anyone has tried to COPY the card that way.. and made then some physical change in the copy process, I can well imagine that any COPY would simply not be usable.. as that is just what most Sellers of such type just do not want to be done for obvious reasons.

But just putting it into a computer (this time by a required adaptor...which only changes the physical area of contact to suit the MicroSD socket..) does NOT surely affect the card..as it is only being READ.. NOT being written to in any way....UNLESS of course when that particular card is used for plotting..it does in fact take some form of read/write in order to give its information. I'm not familiar with such a card so cannot say how they work.

But as I did say above..why not literally ASK Navionics if it is possible for you to use an adaptor to enable you to place this card into a machine that only takes MicroSD cards..make it clear that you are only wishing to use the card as supplied..but it needs to be read by a MicroSD socket instead of the full SD socket. Surely they will tell you that.

I don't know for sure, since the SD card has embedded firmware, maybe there could be some customised code in there - remember this card cost about $300.

Another possibility is that non-standard layout of data on the card could mean that areas which are marked in the FAT as "unused" could actually contain vital data. This used to be one of the basic copy-protection strategies employed for floppy disks and CDs. In this case it would mean that any files written to the card might be placed in this "unused" area, thereby wiping out the original data.

Admittedly we are intending to read the card, not write to it. But the operating system might want to place a "thumbs.db" on there, or some other temporary files. The answer in this case would presumably be to set the write-protect tab on the card - if it has one.

Of interest is the fact that Navionics also offers PC software to allow the use of their SD cards with a home computer. That almost says there is nothing to worry about.
http://www.waypoints.com/navsdgold.html
http://www.waypoints.com/navplanner.html

Regards,
Peter

 

[Fishrman]

Someone else has suggested making an image but I have been told if you simply put the sd card in the computer that is enough to make it unusable again in the fishfinder/chartplotter.

I really don't understand HOW such a thing could have implanted itself into your mind.. as it really does seem... it seems inconceivable to me that simply putting a card into anything else..just doing that alone.. as is implied.. can do ANYTHING to change or harm it..

Now if anyone has tried to COPY the card that way.. and made then some physical change in the copy process, I can well imagine that any COPY would simply not be usable.. as that is just what most Sellers of such type just do not want to be done for obvious reasons.

But just putting it into a computer (this time by a required adaptor...which only changes the physical area of contact to suit the MicroSD socket..) does NOT surely affect the card..as it is only being READ.. NOT being written to in any way....UNLESS of course when that particular card is used for plotting..it does in fact take some form of read/write in order to give its information. I'm not familiar with such a card so cannot say how they work.

But as I did say above..why not literally ASK Navionics if it is possible for you to use an adaptor to enable you to place this card into a machine that only takes MicroSD cards..make it clear that you are only wishing to use the card as supplied..but it needs to be read by a MicroSD socket instead of the full SD socket. Surely they will tell you that.

--
eric
Staffordshire, UK

I have read many many things on the net like the following

But you have to use the Navionics card reader to view it. I learned this the hardway I had the software loaded on my computer and just stuck the card in my computers sd card reader and it killed the card, so you have to plug the reader into a USB port.

Hence, It worries me to just put my card into the sd card slot of my computer to try to copy same.
I have emailed Navionics without so much as a reply.

 

[Fishrman]

Someone else has suggested making an image but I have been told if you simply put the sd card in the computer that is enough to make it unusable again in the fishfinder/chartplotter.

I really don't understand HOW such a thing could have implanted itself into your mind.. as it really does seem... it seems inconceivable to me that simply putting a card into anything else..just doing that alone.. as is implied.. can do ANYTHING to change or harm it..

Now if anyone has tried to COPY the card that way.. and made then some physical change in the copy process, I can well imagine that any COPY would simply not be usable.. as that is just what most Sellers of such type just do not want to be done for obvious reasons.

But just putting it into a computer (this time by a required adaptor...which only changes the physical area of contact to suit the MicroSD socket..) does NOT surely affect the card..as it is only being READ.. NOT being written to in any way....UNLESS of course when that particular card is used for plotting..it does in fact take some form of read/write in order to give its information. I'm not familiar with such a card so cannot say how they work.

But as I did say above..why not literally ASK Navionics if it is possible for you to use an adaptor to enable you to place this card into a machine that only takes MicroSD cards..make it clear that you are only wishing to use the card as supplied..but it needs to be read by a MicroSD socket instead of the full SD socket. Surely they will tell you that.

I don't know for sure, since the SD card has embedded firmware, maybe there could be some customised code in there - remember this card cost about $300.

Another possibility is that non-standard layout of data on the card could mean that areas which are marked in the FAT as "unused" could actually contain vital data. This used to be one of the basic copy-protection strategies employed for floppy disks and CDs. In this case it would mean that any files written to the card might be placed in this "unused" area, thereby wiping out the original data.

Admittedly we are intending to read the card, not write to it. But the operating system might want to place a "thumbs.db" on there, or some other temporary files. The answer in this case would presumably be to set the write-protect tab on the card - if it has one.

Of interest is the fact that Navionics also offers PC software to allow the use of their SD cards with a home computer. That almost says there is nothing to worry about.
http://www.waypoints.com/navsdgold.html
http://www.waypoints.com/navplanner.html

Regards,
Peter

Ya, I probably worry to much but maybe there is something about the Navionics software that not only makes it useful on a pc but also keeps it usable on the fishfinder/chartplotter instead of corrupting something.

 

[sherwoodpete]

I have read many many things on the net like the following

But you have to use the Navionics card reader to view it. I learned this the hardway I had the software loaded on my computer and just stuck the card in my computers sd card reader and it killed the card, so you have to plug the reader into a USB port.

Hence, It worries me to just put my card into the sd card slot of my computer to try to copy same.
I have emailed Navionics without so much as a reply.

It's disappointing that you haven't received any reply.

I suspect that even if the card and its data comes to no harm, you won't be able to make a usable copy.

That's because the "S" in "SD" stands for "secure".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital#DRM_features

However, I don't see any problem with the use of the adaptor (originally posted by Roger) to simply use the card for its intended purpose.

Regard,
Peter

 

[ericN2]

Peter -

Yes..I fully understand the general thoughts expressed here and I'm really sorry to hear via the OP that Navionics have just not had the decency to reply to his email. It speaks little for them as a firm I say..

But it still seems so reasonable in general terms to think or wonder HOW putting the original card into a computer VIA an ADAPTOR...which is NOT another card and should only act as an extension of the "wiring" really..how can that actually damage the card

That's easy to say of course.. and is made no better if the OP has heard or knows of someone who HAS put the original card somehow into a computer and spoiled it. Methinks THAT is very likely because he DID try to copy it or something.....

But that lack of a reply email is the damaging thing.. VERY poor on their part I must say..

To the OP... remember...that ADAPTOR..is NOT a card..it is only (I understand..) an extension of the original card wiring via a 'block' which is shaped like a MicroSD card so it fits into that slot. What goes ito the computer comes right off the original card but instead of using the copper tabs on the original card it is fed to the computer via a wiring 'block' that is shaped to fit a MicroSD socket instead of using a standard SD socket. I really don't see that should affect anything...

It IS a great pity though if Navionics are not being the simple help that you'd expect of them after charging that much for the darn thing. By what is asked it is clear that you are NOT trying to copy it.

--
eric
Staffordshire, UK

 

[Fishrman]

Peter -

Yes..I fully understand the general thoughts expressed here and I'm really sorry to hear via the OP that Navionics have just not had the decency to reply to his email. It speaks little for them as a firm I say..

But it still seems so reasonable in general terms to think or wonder HOW putting the original card into a computer VIA an ADAPTOR...which is NOT another card and should only act as an extension of the "wiring" really..how can that actually damage the card

That's easy to say of course.. and is made no better if the OP has heard or knows of someone who HAS put the original card somehow into a computer and spoiled it. Methinks THAT is very likely because he DID try to copy it or something.....

But that lack of a reply email is the damaging thing.. VERY poor on their part I must say..

To the OP... remember...that ADAPTOR..is NOT a card..it is only (I understand..) an extension of the original card wiring via a 'block' which is shaped like a MicroSD card so it fits into that slot. What goes ito the computer comes right off the original card but instead of using the copper tabs on the original card it is fed to the computer via a wiring 'block' that is shaped to fit a MicroSD socket instead of using a standard SD socket. I really don't see that should affect anything...

It IS a great pity though if Navionics are not being the simple help that you'd expect of them after charging that much for the darn thing. By what is asked it is clear that you are NOT trying to copy it.

--
eric
Staffordshire, UK

Thank you! Please understand that I have no concerns in using the adapter. The adapter will allow me to use the Navionics SD card in the fishfinder/chartplotter. I have no need and no intention of using the adapter in my computer. My concern was relative to using the original SD card in my computer to somehow put it on my system and then put it on a micro SD card. Hope this makes sense. I think this adapter will work if I can get it ordered. So far, I have been unable to order it from the site given.

 

[Fishrman]

I have read many many things on the net like the following

But you have to use the Navionics card reader to view it. I learned this the hardway I had the software loaded on my computer and just stuck the card in my computers sd card reader and it killed the card, so you have to plug the reader into a USB port.

Hence, It worries me to just put my card into the sd card slot of my computer to try to copy same.
I have emailed Navionics without so much as a reply.

It's disappointing that you haven't received any reply.

I suspect that even if the card and its data comes to no harm, you won't be able to make a usable copy.

That's because the "S" in "SD" stands for "secure".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital#DRM_features

However, I don't see any problem with the use of the adaptor (originally posted by Roger) to simply use the card for its intended purpose.

Regard,
Peter

Agreed! Thank you!