Just finished my card reader install... here's a pic of the car after the install...
...and here's a pic of the car playing chunes from an SD card...
Reason: I have a bunch of SD cards, as all the tech gear I've bought use this format (cameras, mp3 players, PDA's), so I have the cards, readers and so forth. I wanted mp3 in my car, but I wanted super easy managibility (easier than mp3 CD's)... was considering buying an ipod and such like, but already had a bunch invested in the cards. I then ran across the AudioLink USB on eBay, and I was sold... I could hook up a card reader of any format (even a multi-format reader), even a USB hard drive and have storage possibilities that kicked-ass over even a phatbox (I know that phatbox offers more than just mass storage (it runs on linux after all !!!)... no need to debate Smile ).
This thing also has the aux-input ability, so that'll get hooked up in the future, as well as a USB patch system so I can use portable hardrives permanently/temporarily mounted, plug in my laptop, whatever.
All my stuff is SD/MMC card format, so that's what I used... but this will work for any USB card reader for any card format that supports the generic "mass storage device" (i.e. just about any modern card reader). So if you have a pile of MemorySticks, this would be pretty groovy too.
Anyways... here's my hack-up for adding my primary feature, the card reader...
1) AudioLink as a product was very well packaged... comes with USB extension (for hooking up the card drive), headphone jack extension for plugging in any old player... a zip cable-tie... and the cable for plugging into the head unit...
2) there's other threads that cover taking off the head unit, so that's not covered here. This pic is about measuring the hole for the card. The little recess under the "Multi Function Audio System" is the perfect size to take the card without cutting into the main surface of the console...
3) masking tape in a vain attempt to stop any scuff marks that may be made in cutting out the card hole...
4) cut out most of the plastic with a dremel... anything that rotates fast and is potentially dangerous will work...
5) trimmed the hole out to a snug fit with a sharp knife...
6) finished hole to accept the SD card...
7) now on to the electronic bits... plugged it all in to make sure it worked... tested the two card readers I had to make sure there was no difference. Also tested the aux-input to make sure the unit worked all as advertised...
8 ) now to glue the card reader against the hole. Put the card in the reader to help alignment, etc... any glue used, be careful not to glue the card in the reader. I drilled the plastic either side of the reader, put a zip tie around it, and finished the job with a little glue. I used thick CA that I had on hand for RC planes, but 5 minute epoxy may be just as good... just enough glue to keep the card reader generally in place.
9) another pic of the same step...
10) now the reason for the balsa rails in the pic below is only that with the particular card reader I had (card plus in lin with the USB plug itself), I found I could forget the USB extension cable all together, and plug directly into the AudioLink box itself... and secure it all as one unit if I just built up under the box. Balsa is a wonderful material for many reasons, and it was handy... two half inch thick strips (each laminated from two 1/4 inch strips) proved to be the perfect thickness to get the job done. I glued the balsa to masking tape, so that I didn't have to stick it directly to the AudioLink.
11) final pick with it all secured down with zip cable-ties. Made another basla shim to pack out the back of the unit... this way it's a solid unit from the card reader against the front of the head unit to the rear of the steel frame. All good !
12) ...last step is to just plug in the AudioLink, and install it back into the dash of the car. And here it is... all done!
"...enjoy milkbone in commie free world phase!!"
I was thinking of using a multiple format card reader, and mounting it in the slot next to the shifter (cards being vertically inserted), but there's only one format I care about, and I think the above install is a pretty tidy result. Reckon the card format is the most perfect for the easy-to-carry-around-and-manage... size, etc. And now I can play it in my car!!! Woohoo!
I'll get around to hooking up the aux-input to an inconspicuous par of the console (most likely, under the curved lip under the airconditioning controls), but you guys have seen a ton of that... and I do want to capitalise on the USB ability of the AudioLink... making plans to install a USB hard drive and USB patch cable system to plug in my lappy to manage the car mp3 list and such like.
...anyways... card readers for your favorite flash memory format, have at it! Very Happy
