energy micro free samples still available - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: croyleje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 01:36:07 am
content: hi everyone,just thought you all might want to know Energy Micro is still offering free samples of there EFM32 Tiny all the way up to the Giant Gecko.Jason

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 01:47:48 am
content: Any chance you can post a link ?Regards

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 01:59:26 am
content: Ya all good, till you get to the part where they ask you what are you using it for and for which project and the name...

author: croyleje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 02:09:02 am
content: here is the linkhttp://www.energymicro.com/products/samplesand when it came to project and name and all that i just used my home address and told them i was working on low power LCD which is the truth no one questioned it. i wasn't greedy they only send two of each model but i only asked for two different ones the EFM32TG822F32 and the EFM32G840F128 there there lossest end that support the LCD displays.got them in two days i have no complaints

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 02:10:03 am
content: I just went to there website........... total fail.Cant find Australian contact.Cant find any price info without having to fill out a form and wait for a monkey to respond.Cant order samples without answering all sorts of questions.One of my pet hates is companies that spend big money on websites yet cant provide basic price info for there products. This is a great way to limit you client base.Regards

author: croyleje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 02:14:34 am
content: just go the site then products under products there is a little sample bar click answer questions mine were here two days later i didnt lie to them the questions were like what are you using it for, project name stuff like that i dont think anyone even looks at it to be honest all emails looked computer generated.

author: shebu18
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 04:56:36 am
content: They do not send to my country, so i have no luck with a sample.

author: Energy Micro
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 09:59:25 am
content: @FredGHi, Energy Micro thanks for the input on the EFM32 Gecko microcontroller sample program. Some feedback:"Cant find Australian contact"We do as of today not have any Australian distributor, but will most likely get one in place by the end of this year, though. In the meantime, most of our products are available at Digi-Key and Mouser."Cant find any price info without having to fill out a form and wait for a monkey to respond."Actually we don´t have monkeys responding, but sweet little geckosAnd because they need to know something about your needs as well, we´re currently relying on the good old forms. Most semiconductor companies do not state any pricing on their homepage, again because the MCU pricing needs to be tailored plus the product will be sold through distribution networks anyway. You might occasionally find an indicated 1ku price, but we believe that this might be more misleading than a real guidance."Cant order samples without answering all sorts of questions:"Although we try to be as friendly as possible, unfortunately in 2012, some information is necessary before we can give away freebies. We want the EFM32 MCUs to be available globally, but our fulfilment partners are not always allowed to ship directly to every country in the world because of their country's export restrictions. This forces us to ask for some project info. But, for that you get some really energy friendly and state of the art micros delivered at your address within a few days, free of charge.Finally, our team of geckos want happy clients, so PM us and they'll send you a brand new EFM32 Giant Gecko Starter Kit and some other stuff, free of charge of course.@shebu18"They do not send to my country, so i have no luck with a sample. "Our fulfilment partners might have export restrictions. Unfortunately this is not something we can override as this is normally handled by each country's laws. PM us and we'll find a solution as well.ØyvindEnergy Micro

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 10:21:47 am
content: Quote from: Energy Micro on August 16, 2012, 09:59:25 amMicrochip state price.Atmel state price.TI state price.Freescale state price.Cypress state price.Maybe others?Most (if not all) of them even let you sort parametrically by price as well.The reality is, people want ballpark pricing!Thanks for contributing directly on the forum, it's appreciated.Dave.

author: sorin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 10:34:32 am
content: Quote from: Energy Micro on August 16, 2012, 09:59:25 amYou wrong.For example Albania don't is in your shipping list, but I'm 100% sure that anybody have export restrictions for Albania.

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 11:04:22 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 16, 2012, 10:21:47 amYes, this is so annoying. Even order-of-magnitude pricing would be a start. I find this especially bad when buying sensors and mechanical components. You get catalogues, but you still have to ring for pricing.

author: Energy Micro
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 12:59:26 pm
content: Totally agree, the parametric search is very helpful. The number of gecko mcu variants might be a bit confusing now, so to keep up with our simplicity mission we'll update several things in the near future. Pricing hasn't been included so far though, so this is valuable input - MAYBE we'll need to do some adjustments before launching...Reg. restrictions ( incl. Albania )When shipping is handled via the US, our partner need to conform with the sanctions program handled by the US Dept. of Treasury. Albania might therefore be covered by for instance the "Balkans Related Sanctions":http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/balkans.aspx. The same applies for some other countries. Simplicity? No!ØyvindEnergy Micro

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 01:55:34 pm
content: Quote from: Energy Micro on August 16, 2012, 12:59:26 pmThat's what everyone likes to hear!BTW, are you going to be in Sydney at Electronex next month?, I notice you guys have a stand there?Dave.

author: Energy Micro
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 02:24:24 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 16, 2012, 01:55:34 pmUnfortunately it´s "only" our friends from NZ, APEX Electronics, who will be in Sydney/Electronex this time.Øyvind

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2012, 09:42:56 pm
content: ST states their price for their in-production parts!

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 08:50:55 am
content: I find the "1k" pricing is never a good estimate for pricing unless you are actually buying thousands of them (for Microchip anyway). Some devices have similar 1k figures but end up being 40-50% different at the retail price. But then again, they have MicroChipDirect which is fantastic for getting pricing and much better than going through a distributor.You cannot expect companies to have a simple 1-click no questions asked sample service. Samples are provided for clients who want to evaluate products in the hope they'll become a customer. If they made it really easy (it's not even that hard as it is...) every man and his dog would be ordering samples just because its "FREE!".It's also interesting that someone actually does thoroughly read your submissions even at big companies like TI. My last request for samples was rejected, because I stated it was for a University project, but was using my personal email address. Rejection email just said to resubmit using an .edu address though

author: shebu18
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 08:56:26 am
content: Still no luck with ordering from Romania.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 09:30:40 am
content: Quote from: metalphreak on August 17, 2012, 08:50:55 amIt sucked for me because i wasn't in a university ( but in a technical college ) AND TI wouldn't believe me ...

author: nitro2k01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 10:59:53 am
content: shebu18 states his country as Romania. Romania is a frickin' EU country. If you have any fulfilment partners in the EU they (the countries) should technically not be allowed to have trade restrictions against another EU country. They might not ship to Romania anyway, but I'm pretty sure it would not be a legal problem for them to do so.