A question about using a dongle with E3 Flasher
 

I'm considering purchasing an E3 Flasher, but I am unsure why I need a downgrade dongle, and which one to use with the E3 Flasher. First off, is the dongle only used to get the PS3 into factory/service mode, or does it play other roles in the downgrade/jailbreak process? Secondly, could I use any other method of getting into factory/service mode such as using an iPod, Andriod, ect. instead of using a dongle? Lastly, I heard that the E3 Card Reader can be used as both a dongle and a microSD card reader. Can I use it to transfer E3 flasher files from my computer to a microSD card, then, when it needs to be used in the downgrade process, can I just take out the microSD card and use the E3 Card Reader in the downgrade process just like that?

I'm sorry if this is confusing I have lots of questions about using dongles with the E3 Flasher and I though maybe I could put some of them in this post.

You could save the money and use something that the service mode hex has been ported to. Something's are psp, iPhone, android smart phones, ti84plus and the things that many used to jailbreak the first ps3s (black car USB). This is to give you an idea of what you can use and save money. Bu the e3 card reader is about 10.00 American.

So can I use the E3 card reader as both a dongle and a microSD card reader?

Yes you can but they are very slow as microSD reader.

v8s10, do you mind elaborating on how to use the sd card reader as a dongle please? I haven't gotten through the e3 tut yet so forgive me if that's where my answer is.

E3 Card Reader is normal pc card reader, with special third-party firmware, it can break ps3 easier.

How to break ps3 with e3 card reader ?

Step 1 :Download e3 card reader firmware from download page.
Step 2 : Plug e3 card reader into PC, it will show find E3_4M_STICK DISK, E3Upgrader DISK, and Removable Disk .
Step 3 : Copy e3 card reader firmware into E3Upgrader DISK , after 1 second, the blue light on e3 card reader lighting, this means upgrade complete. then plug into ps3 just like other normal ps3 dongle do.

E3downgrade Tutorials to factory mode:

1: copy latest e3downgrade.bin into e3 upgrade disk
2: use e3 card normal jailbreak way, after enter ps3, remove E3 card. and reset
system.
3: then you will enter factory MODE, now you can downgrade.

So after I've used the card reader as an actual card reader I can just plug that bad boy into the USB port when the time comes and it'll work as the dongle? Forgive my noobiness. :>

Oops I couldn't see the other part of your instructions on my phone for some reason. Thank you for your time!!

What kind of ipod and iphones and android will work ? Can you sen me the link if i need to download any program to put on my - one of the above things :D

Take a look here.