Possible Free XHP Sinkpads

Ok, fellow flashlight freaks, let’s all do the right thing and refrain from requesting ‘free samples’ from SinkPad. The company does make it very easy to get samples however, we should not take advantage of the fact that they are looking to get samples into the hands of actual manufacturers in the hope that it will lead to future sales. Let’s respect the system. If you plan to mass produce lighting products, then by all means get all of the samples you want…otherwise, leave the samples for those that really need them.

As I cannot stand a hyprocrite, since I posted the link, I have 5 copper XHP50 stars and 5 copper XHP70 stars. I will send 1 of each of them to anyone that asks (1 per person until I’ve given away 3 of each…still gonna keep 2 of each for myself). Just PM and I’ll send it out.

sinkpad has been doing this for a little while, let’s try to not overload their generous offer. I’m not any sort of mod or anything like that or saying this on behalf of BLF in any way but I think it would be very wise for us to all be very respectful with this system, only request one’s your actually going to use. Let’s not all request 10 copper one’s each just cause it’s there and make them regret this free sample system or shut it down…

Just my $0.02. BTW [when representing my business] I’ve always had a very good and professional relationship with sinkpad, even being extremely small volume for them they still take very good care of me. USA owned and operated, sinkPAD is a very good company IMHO!

I did the request, who knows :-)

EDIT: to C_K: Thanks for the consideration, did not think about it like that, i just did the request . If they actually send the boards, I will use them all up ;-)

The sample form is just for show. SinkPAD will actually sample whatever you want. With that out of the way, C_k is really correct - SinkPad is sampling for potential customers. The big IC manufacturer such as TI, Microchip, etc generally have similar programs. They are not necessarily for hobbyists who don’t like to pay for things.

The intention of such programs is more or less two-fold:

  1. Give developers access to parts for use in development which would not otherwise be available due to MOQ!
  2. Give developers free stuff and hope they’ll use it for high production volume designs.

While SinkPAD really falls into the second category more than the first (their MOQ is very low, it is not a significant barrier to entry for an engineer already aware of the potential benefits), these are relatively costly chunks of copper and aluminum, not “Free take 1 ”Doughnut Hole”:Doughnut - Wikipedia samples” at your local bakery or supermarket. :stuck_out_tongue:

My intention is not to shame anyone, do what you gotta do! Just be aware of the system you’re taking advantage of and it’s purpose.

If the boards show up I will do the repeated test on the XH-P70 led on one. If (well, when) that tests well, it might make a few more folks here buy the boards ;-)

I’m sure they’ll hook you up. Your tests will certainly make up for the small investment they make by sending you a few PCBs. Make sure they’re sampling everything you need for testing! For example maybe some Luxeon Rebel PCBs, LED ENGIN, etc…

A small part of me, one that has no clear concept of money, wants to buy some high discharge cells, one or two short heatpipes, maybe some thread cutting tools and make a 3x 90CRI XHP70 light at 6A each. Another part won’t be too disappointed if those pads never arrive.

You know, you’re exactly right. I get inundated with so many vendors who almost try and force me to take samples, I’m somewhat numb to the fact that not everyone is like that. If they send them, I’ll be sure and do a review and some thermal transfer comparisons and post them on here.

Right after my last post, I received an e-mail from Sales at Sinkpad stating that the samples would be shipped out tomorrow. I replied with full disclosure that I was not in lighting systems design, just an avid hobbyist. However, I told her that I planned to do a review (as soon as I get LED’s) and would like to do some thermal transfer testing. I would honestly like to see the difference between a Sinkpad, Noctigon, and a generic star. Conscience feels better 8)

Sounds like a winner. In order to decide where to focus your review & testing you may wish to take a look at djozz’s work on the same subject - 6x 20mm XML-ledboard comparison

Is Sinkpad run by a naive teenager from his mums garage?

Why do you say that?

Too bad they weren’t offering up some XML Color Sinkpads. Those are impossible to get.

I could spare one or two… Email me. (I also have a few damaged ones, if I can find them you can have those too but [if I can find them] you may or may not be able to fix them at all…

I got the samples in from Sinkpad. They came in a business envelope with spec sheets. Now if I can get Cree to send me samples of XHP50 and XHP70 so I can build some lights and do a review…

As usual no luck getting samples for me, didn’t even get a response email. Are only US based people receiving them?
Too bad, I’m in a testing kind of mood :slight_smile:

I got a response email right after my request that it would be shipped 'soon', that was 9 days ago. Nothing on the doormat yet.

Well I know nothing about this company but in general, “large companies” are plenty well equipt to look out for themselves, and while it is true the the first unit of anything mass produced (fully burdened, assuming that indirect costs are applied tothe first unit as direct) is unbelievably expensive. #2 is not so bad.

Also consider that they are making a sales list of prospects, I am sure they dont assume to know the name of every eingineer who is developing a potential product for them to supply components for. “samples” are typicaly accounted for as a sales expense.

Also they probily allready have them packedged in sets of 10 and it may “cost” more for them to open a package and remove parts reseal the package and then have loose ones around. Where with the package request Shipping might be the first folks to actually “handel” the package.

$.01 worth

I got 5 XHP50 and 5 XHP70 Sinkpads in the mail today. :bigsmile:

That’s what I ordered, 5 and 5, and got an email response from them right after I ordered. They will be shipped to my old business which is a Restoration company.
They probably came today, I will check tomorrow.