[Galaxy Note 10.1 Accessories] twospirits:
This is my review of the GrayBean multicard reader-OTG USB Hub Connection kit Model: GB-CR

The Graybean GB-CR is a multicard reader and USB hub which is shipped and sold by Seller1ON1 via Amazon.com. it lists for $13.26 and comes with a Blue mini capacitive pen which for us Note 10.1 users, is not needed. The description on Amazon states that it can be used on the following devices..

Samsung Galaxy tab P7300 / P7310 /P7500 / 7510

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch / 10 inch

and I can attest that it also works for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Packaging and Design

The device came in a plastic zip locked type of bag along with the mini blue capacitive pen.

Front and back of the package.

When I took the device out of the packaging I was actually surprised to see how small it is. The image on Amazon makes it look much larger. The dimensions of the unit are shown below.

Available ports

The available ports on the device are as follows...

1 SD card

1 TF card

1 MS card

1 M2 card

3 USB 2.0

1 DC Input 5V (3.5 1.35mm, 5V, 2A)

There is also a led light that turns on once you attach the device to the tablet.

Although in Amazon there is an image of the device with a power cord attached to it, (as shown below) the device does not come with any power adapter. (More on this later).

Uses and Testing

First let me state that I do not own any MM, M2, or TF cards, so I did not test those ports.

I inserted the Graybean into the Galaxy Note 10.1 and unlike cables and plugs from Samsung which have the Samsung name on top of the plug, the one from Graybean does not indicate which is the top of the plug. So you have to be careful to make sure that the plug notches are facing upward when pluging in the cable into the Note 10.1 otherwise you may damage the port on the tablet.

I proceeded to test the SD card. I inserted a microsd card into the usual SD card adapter and inserted it into the GrayBean.

Immediately the File Manager opens up and i see UsbDriveA. i select a video off of the sd card and it plays flawlessly and without studder.

I then wanted to try to see if I can use a mouse so i attahed the dongle from my Logitech Wireless Touchpad and it also immediately placed a cursor on the screen.

Considering that it has numerous USB ports, my next test was to see if another SD card can be attached.

As you can see from the image, both UsbDriveA and UsbDriveB show up in the file manager.

At this point I wanted to see if I can use a usb extended cable with the GrayBean.

I inserted the AmazonBasics usb extended cable and I was able to still access the sd card.

I was able to test three sdCards inserted in the GrayBean and all three showed up in the file manager.

A Note on External Power and Devices

As mentioned above, the GrayBean does not come with a power adapter. In the Amazon description it states 3.5mm outside / 1.35mm inside, 5V, 2A power port and locating a power adapter for the GrayBean is not easy. One buyer on Amazon mentioned the Enercell adaptaplug tip 'H" would fit the port, but trying to find the tip as well as the actual cable/adapter has been a bit hard.

I did manage to have bought a while back for my Dell laptop the BiXpower USB Port Power Cable that comes with 3 extra connector tips and which so happens to fit the GrayBean.

I did managed to attach an external usb hard drive and the file manager was able to read it, but the hard drive has to have its own power source and also be formatted to fat32, otherwise it won't be seen by the Note 10.1. since the device itself even plugging in a power source, will not power up anthing attach to it.

Conclusion

Its a very useful device that allows numerous sdcard and usb flash drives to be connected to it. Although I do not see myself carrying it around all the time, it will come useful on my desk. I only wish the manufacturer would have included a power adapter withit as well as make the power aactually power up the device (such as hard drives etc) that are attached to it.

TS