user4186: I have a project running on an arduino nano, and as part of it, I'd like to read from and write to a microSD card.  My problem is that the microSD shield for it doesn't fit my form factor (think slightly larger than a pen; definitely handheld).
I've purchased a PJS008-2003-0, and I'm wondering, assuming I have the soldering chops, is there any real reason I can't connect this directly?  What does the breakout board get me other than nicer connection points and a blinking light?  Do the example SD sketches rely on anything the shield provides, or will they work for me?

user2881: SD card need 3.3v for power and logic level. So most breakouts have a buffer chip to convert the logic levels from 5v to 3.3v. 
PS, you could use an microSD to SD adapter, and solder some wires to its pads, if you are unable to solder the tiny pins on the part you ordered.

user4143: If your willing to be adventurous and step away from Arduino (as in AVR chips) and try out some of the myriad of other offerings there are around now, then you may find a better board that fits your needs.
One popular example is the Fubarino SD:

It gives you a PIC32 chip (128KB RAM, 512MB Flash, 80MHz) with a microSD card slot already on the board.  And it measures just 2.5cm x 7cm.
Of course, you may need to tweak your programming a little to get it working as you want - the IDE (MPIDE) is a bit old and the Arduino API compatibility is slightly behind the times (but catching up gradually). It's also fully supported by my UECIDE programming environment.

4186: <p>I have a project running on an arduino nano, and as part of it, I'd like to read from and write to a microSD card.  My problem is that the microSD shield for it doesn't fit my form factor (think slightly larger than a pen; definitely handheld).</p>

<p>I've purchased a <a href="http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Yamaichi-Electronics/PJS008-2003-0/?qs=eWHdbjwv0KPMBllWRB82sg==" rel="nofollow">PJS008-2003-0</a>, and I'm wondering, assuming I have the soldering chops, is there any real reason I can't connect this directly?  What does the breakout board get me other than nicer connection points and a blinking light?  Do the example SD sketches rely on anything the shield provides, or will they work for me?</p>
 2881: <p>SD card need 3.3v for power and logic level. So most breakouts have a buffer chip to convert the logic levels from 5v to 3.3v. </p>

<p>PS, you could use an microSD to SD adapter, and solder some wires to its pads, if you are unable to solder the tiny pins on the part you ordered.</p>
 4143: <p>If your willing to be adventurous and step away from Arduino (as in AVR chips) and try out some of the myriad of other offerings there are around now, then you may find a better board that fits your needs.</p>

<p>One popular example is the <a href="http://fubarino.org/sd/index.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fubarino SD</a>:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Gnq5L.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>It gives you a PIC32 chip (128KB RAM, 512MB Flash, 80MHz) with a microSD card slot already on the board.  And it measures just 2.5cm x 7cm.</p>

<p>Of course, you may need to tweak your programming a little to get it working as you want - the IDE (<a href="http://chipkit.net/started/install-chipkit-software/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MPIDE</a>) is a bit old and the Arduino API compatibility is slightly behind the times (but catching up gradually). It's also fully supported by my <a href="http://uecide.org" rel="nofollow noreferrer">UECIDE</a> programming environment.</p>
