Any interest in inexpensive R4 NDS flash cards?

[Stobe]

I'm getting ready to make a bulk purchase of R4 (Slot 1) Flash Cards for the NDS.  I want to know how many of you would be interested in one, so I can judge the quantity I order.

If you are unfamiliar with what the R4 is, here is a link to a product page:

http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/dd-ds-r4

It uses a micro-SD card to hold movies, music, or NDS roms.  Its pretty much the same thing as the M3 SimplyDS.  For more info on these, check out the thread in the Consoles section called "Nintendo DS"

The reason I'm looking into a bulk order is mainly because I am disgusted by the shipping price from China every time I want to buy one item.  So I thought I would offer this up to the rest of you to see if anyone wanted to save on the item, plus save big on the shipping.  Look at my "Shopping Cart" from divineo, and you'll see what I mean...


PRODUCTS TO BE ORDERED: 
dd-ds-r4 no  R4 *ENGLISH*  1  $ 44.99  $ 44.99 
Parcel weight 0.21 Kg.  Sub total:  $ 44.99 
Shipping Method:  FedEx Express  Shipping:  $ 28.71 
TO PAY:  $ 73.70  

I haven't gotten the final shipping price for my order, but I'm thinking I can get these to you for about $40 shipped.  I'm also working on a deal for some 1 GB microSD cards, so let me know if you'd be interested in that as well.

Thanks, and let me know asap.  These cards are going fast according to the factory.

-Stobe

[johnnya]

You know, shipping is only $5 if you select airmail...

[Stobe]

You know, shipping is only $5 if you select airmail...

I didn't realize that, as I choose "Pick a shipping method for me", assuming that it would figure out the best.

But I went back and chose Air Mail, and this is what I get:

PRODUCTS TO BE ORDERED: 
dd-ds-r4 no  R4 *ENGLISH*  1  $ 44.99  $ 44.99 
Parcel weight 0.21 Kg.  Sub total:  $ 44.99 
Shipping Method:  Registered Air Mail  Shipping:  $ 9.99 
TO PAY: $ 54.98 

In any case, it would still be a savings.  And potentially more of a savings if you can get the microSD card shipped at the same time for free.  I've noticed lately that in this hibby you have to go several different places to get everything you need, and shipping starts to cost as much as your parts.  So I wanted to do my little part to help simplify this for the NDS crowd.

Also, pretty much anything you see on the Divineo site (xbox mod chips, etc) I can get as well.  So if anyone needs anything else, let me know soon.

-Stobe
 

[pointdablame]

You can get the R4 shipped from RealHotStuff for a buck or two cheaper, and they ship from the US.  Just a heads up.

[Stobe]

Another item I'm thinking of grabbing a few of is this:

http://www.divineo.cn/cgi-bin/div-cn/nds-cmns

Its a slot 2 device (GBA slot) that requires either a passcard or flashed NDS, but it will work with the R4 (acts as a passcard).

This gives GBA rom support, and also support of the homebrew stuff that requires a slot 2 flash card.  This model uses the miniSD.  They have a microSD version, but for right now, the miniSD 2GB cards are much cheaper.

So let me know if there is any interest in these as well.

-Stobe

[Stobe]

You can get the R4 shipped from RealHotStuff for a buck or two cheaper, and they ship from the US.  Just a heads up.

I looked there also.  They are $45 before shipping, unless I am seeing it wrong.  So I imagine it would be over $50 shipped, right?

I'm just looking to save everyone s few bucks.

-Stobe

[pointdablame]

It's $45 + 7 shipping for priority mail.  So it'd be a few bucks cheaper to begin with, and you wouldn't need to deal with a bulk order or reshipping items to people once you get your order.

I just figured it'd wind up being much cheaper and easier if you got it there.

[KenToad]

I'm very interested in this, Stobe.  It's a really good idea to get a list of interested individuals and hopefully save everyone some bucks.  

I guess we'll have to see how many people post or PM before knowing for sure.

@Pointdablame - Divineo charges less per item for a bulk order, so that's the reason for having many people order together.  I don't know whether the other place has the same policy. 

Cheers,
KenToad

[Stobe]

It's $45 + 7 shipping for priority mail.  So it'd be a few bucks cheaper to begin with, and you wouldn't need to deal with a bulk order or reshipping items to people once you get your order.

I just figured it'd wind up being much cheaper and easier if you got it there.

I'm confussed.  I think I can get these out to people for $40 shipped, total.

What am I missing?

-Stobe

[pointdablame]

It's just me being stupid.   

I factored in $55 a piece, and didn't think that ordering a "bulk" order of 2-3 would net you a $15 savings on each one.  If it does, good deal.

Plus I also figured in the fact that you'd have Divineo ship the items to YOU, then you'd have to ship them out to everyone who ordered, thus creating another $5-10 to get it to them.  I just figured it'd come out to a wash in the end.

If you can get that big of a discount though, its def worth it.

[Stobe]

Ok, good.  I figured you were just reading it wrong (as I often do), but I didn't want to assume as much.

I'm actually working with the supplier of Divineo, not Divineo themselves.  I guess thats why I can get the better deal.

I just wanted to judge what kind of interest there would be, so I wouldn't have to make multiple orders.  I'm not affraid of ordering too many, since I know there will always be straglers saying "I wish I knew about that..."

-Stobe

[KenToad]

Ok, good.  I figured you were just reading it wrong (as I often do), but I didn't want to assume as much.

I'm actually working with the supplier of Divineo, not Divineo themselves.  I guess thats why I can get the better deal.

I just wanted to judge what kind of interest there would be, so I wouldn't have to make multiple orders.  I'm not affraid of ordering too many, since I know there will always be straglers saying "I wish I knew about that..."

-Stobe

OK, I had assumed that you would be limited by how many people 'fessed interest.  I'm sure you will have no trouble if you order a bunch and get rid of them at $40 a pop. 

I'm also interested in the SD cards and the Slot-2 Device and curious as to how much the whole package will run.

[Stobe]

I'm also interested in the SD cards and the Slot-2 Device and curious as to how much the whole package will run.

Without getting the final shipping costs from the supplier, I can give you a "Good Faith Estimate"

R4 (slot 1) + 1 GB microSD card

+

CycloDS (slot 2) + 2 GB miniSD card

= around $120 shipped  (basically either "combo" by itself would be around $60 shipped, or flash carts by themselves would be around $40 shipped each).

-Stobe

[Yooyenkoo]

how much would just the R4 + sd card cost? if it's something reasonable i'll think about joining you guys if you haven't bought them yet...

Let me know

[lcddream]

just a fyi...i can't say personally becausse i haven't tested, but some people are experienceing lag with certain micro sd's and the R4.

one i know for sure is the kingston 1 GB made in taiwan, the japanese one apparently works ok.

you can find out some more word of mouth info at the gbatemp.net forums

[Rip]

FWIW,

I bought the M3 DS Simply (slot 1) from realhotstuff.com...shipped quickly and cheaply.  I picked up a generic 1GB microSD card (PQI) from Frys for $17.99 after rebate.  It has worked flawlessly for me.

Also of note...most of the older flash carts (with built in ram) were expressed in Megabits so a 512M flash cart was not 1/2 gig of storage as you may think...more like a 1/16 of a gig (could store about 8-10 GBA games), whereas with the new microSD based cards, the storage is expressed in Megabytes so a 1GB sd card actually stores 1GB of information (about 25 NDS games).

Having used a passcard and gba cart in the past, these slot-1 solutions are a dream.

[Stobe]

Can you run both GBA and NDS roms off the same cartridge?

Does the DS have to be flashed or have a PassMe?

With the Slot 2 device, you can do both NDS and GBA roms.  But you either need to have a passcard or flash the DS.  But the Slot 1 (M4) device could work as the passcard, and is supposed to be a little easier at setting up your NDS roms (drag and drop, vs loading them with loader software to create saves).  Either way, its not that difficult.

-Stobe

[Stobe]

Will a Slot 1 run both NDS and GBA?

I haven't seen one that does yet.

-Stobe

[Stobe]

I haven't seen one that does yet.

*slides credit card back into wallet* 

Good!  I don't take credit card anyhow.

But seriously, if GBA is a requirement, then the Slot 2 device is the way to go.  It is the same size as a GBA cart, so it diesn't stick out or anything.  And flashing a DS isn't very hard to do.  Many people here have done it, and would probably be willing to help someone out.

But if you can do without the GBA rom support, then the slot 1 device is definately slicker.

-Stobe

[crashwg]

Will a Slot 1 run both NDS and GBA?

I haven't seen one that does yet.

-Stobe

And you never will.

[Stobe]

The company that makes the Slot 2 device (Cyclone) has a slot 1 passcard that will be a little cheaper than the other cards out there.  It is on preorder now, but should be around $20.  But I didn't think thir would be a need for it, since I would rather pay a little extra to get the full R4 card.

But if you are interested on one of those rather tan flashing your DS, I can look into it for you.

-Stobe

[Stobe]

Yeah, I'm interested in that possibility.

In fact, slot me in for one of your Cyclopes combos if you can beat Divineo's price.

Can do.  I'm going to be placing an order probably tomorrow.  And if they don't have the CycloDS passcards in yet, I will let you borrow a R4 with your CycloDS in the meantime, so yo won't have to flash your DS.

-Stobe

[skippy]

just a fyi...i can't say personally becausse i haven't tested, but some people are experienceing lag with certain micro sd's and the R4.

one i know for sure is the kingston 1 GB made in taiwan, the japanese one apparently works ok.

you can find out some more word of mouth info at the gbatemp.net forums

I bought 2 1gib kingstons from Newegg.  One was a Japan the other was a Taiwan.  The Jap one works great.  The Taiwan is good too, the only game I had a prob with was CV POR the usual slowdown issues.  They  are cheap right now 12.99 at NewEgg.

[Stobe]

I've got the order invoice in my hand.  And apart from finalization of exchange rates, it looks like I will be able to hit my target of $40 shiped for the R4's.  I also have some CycloDS (miniSD version) coming.

I also threw a few XBOX DuoX Lite modchips in the order, in case anyone needed one. 

When everything comes in, I will start a new FS thread with everything I have, including prices and pictures, etc.

Thanks for the interest everyone,
Stobe

[Stobe]

Just remember who gets first pick of all the goodies.

After me, you mean? 

[SirPoonga]

I am interested, however...

How is it cheaper?  Once it is shipped to you they need to be shipped to us.
I am almost tempted to get in on the cyclods deal.  However, it isn't supported by DLDI and I'd rather have the micro version since it fits flush.  Also I'd want to stick with the same media.

[Stobe]

I am interested, however...

How is it cheaper?  Once it is shipped to you they need to be shipped to us.

Something in this thread must be a little confussing.  Hopefully the final [FS] thread will be a little more clear.

Your cost  will be $40 shipped.  Period.

As for the CycloDS carts, I should have both micro and mini versions.  at first, I thought the mini version would sit flush.  But I will have both, in case someone is willing to have the slightly larger card since it will use cheaper media (2gigs for the price of 1).

-Stobe

[SirPoonga]

Something in this thread must be a little confussing.  Hopefully the final [FS] thread will be a little more clear.

Ahhh.  Reading through the thread it just seemed you didn;t take into account that the bulk order would have to be distributed.

[Stobe]

Something in this thread must be a little confussing.  Hopefully the final [FS] thread will be a little more clear.

Ahhh.  Reading through the thread it just seemed you didn;t take into account that the bulk order would have to be distributed.

Well heck!  Anyone that wants to come to my house and pick it up can get theirs a little cheaper. 

-Stobe

[SirPoonga]

Well then, I want in on the R4ds.  I might contact the Cyclo-DS people and see if they plan on releasing a DLDI driver or details so someone can make a driver.  If I can get the microsd version so I can use one media type and it works with my homebrew development I will get it.

[SirPoonga]

http://chishm.drunkencoders.com/DLDI/

It's the new libfat for homebrew.  Basically a developer only need to make one program.  The user patches that program for the device that is being used.  A good example on why this is good is look at DSOrganize.  It is now DLDI compatible.  Before he had to maintain three versions (gray, blue, and green if I remember).  Now he just has to maintain one.  From the end user this is good because you don't have to wonder which version you need.

[KenToad]

Good work, Stobe.   

[SirPoonga]

Son, I don't understand a word you just said.

That's why I included an example:)  Look at DSOrganize.  The older versions before it adapted DLDI .  You had to know which version to download that ould work with your flashcart.  He named them green, blue, and grey (if I remember).  If DLDI the developer just has to make one version.  The user patches the game with a dldi file to work their flashcart.

[Paik4Life]

I might be interested.  I've been wanting to get a DS Simply and modchipman has been on freaking preorder since it's release.  The DS Simply and R4 are supposed to be the same aside from OS since they are supposedly made by the same team.  I just wanted to grab the Simply since people are saying that it will get quicker firmware updates...

If I can cancel my order with modchipman, I will definitely hit you up soon.

~Paik

[Stobe]

Sounds good.

Update:

I have the order in, and the items have shipped.  I just waiting for that "slow boat from China".  I will let you all know when they come in.

-Stobe

[Stobe]

Everything came in today.  I am testing everything and taking pictures.  Expect a [For Sale] either later tonight, or tomorrow.

-Stobe

[KenToad]

Sweet, I am still very interested.  Please post more info and let me know how you want payment. 

[Stobe]

Now available!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=62927.0
-Stobe