naphil wrote:What SD card modules can you use with what esp versions? I saw you could use it with a ESP-01 if manually break the rquired pins out. With the ESP-12E or NodeMCU v2 this shouldn't be required right? What SD card module is recommended for use with the esp8266 if it does matter at all? Are the ones you can't use with it?
Yes, ESP12 have SPI pins, no need for any crude hacks.
However I wouldn't bother with SD cards. ESP-12 modules have 4MB flash, that's plenty of space for a µC.
If you want to use a SD card anyway, there's no need for any module. Chances are, you already have a SD to microSD adapter, you can wire one of those directly to the ESP (or solder a .1" pin header for breadboard use).
If you search for "SD card SPI pinout", there should be a ton of examples on the web. On the ESP side, refer to the datasheet for the HSPI pins.