Well I guess I should finally update this thread.
I've had this for a few weeks now.
The pad is approx 3"x5" or 3"x6" and has sort of a matted towel surface on front and back but not quite as rough (it's doesn't feel like a towel, I'm only trying to find a visual comparison).
And it does seem to work.
I've sat in front of my TV and poked lots of my pins into it repeatedly. They seem to work better.
And I've sharpened machine needles too. I take the thread out of the needle and then run the pad through the machine.
Does the needle feel like brand new?
No, but maybe I'm not doing it enough. I only make about 2 or 3 passes. But I can tell when I start to sew again that the needle does seem to go through the quilt better. I can get some more mileage out of my needles with it. And it's convenient. I don't have to remove my machine needle to use it.
From 1 to 10, I'd give it a 5 1/2 or 6.
But if I took the time to poke my pins and needles into my strawberry pincushion thingy, it might give me the same results.
JMHO
I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who's bought this.