While I still hate the idea that NEAT pads cost about $9 each compared to $3 or less for the equivalent SiaAir or Abralon pads, I wanted to try them for myself. So I bought of set of one each of the four from a seller on Ebay.
Here are some thoughts so far.
1. They do seem to do a very good job of sanding. The results are smoother than the equivalent SiaAir or Abralon pad but I do worry a little that the ball's surface is not the same grit level as when done with the other pads. I'm sure the NEAT manufacturer has tested them and wouldn't say they are xxx grit if they weren't.
(They come in P750, P1500, P2500 and P4000 grits.)
2. The ones I got seem to be 5" in diameter, which is smaller than the stock 6" pads from Siaair and Abralon. (Both of the other 2 are made in 5" size; so no big deal.) Cost relative to size and consistency are minor issues.
3. They have a good foam pad in the back that holds water and makes it flexible just like the S and A pads. All good.
4. The abrasive side of each side seems impermeable. I sprayed water on it and it just rolls off. It doesn't seep through to the other side and soak the foam pad. Interesting. While this is slightly different from the others, it only needs a little to get used to it. On the positive side, it makes the resin slurry or dust much easier to rinse off when you're through with the pad.
5. The results on a ball's surface always looks smooth, which is nice.
I have not used them enough to check the durability.
So, so far, except for the price, I hardly see any negatives. If I were much better off financially, I might very well use them all the time for everything. As it is, their purchase was more for curiosity's sake, an expensive test.
