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Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 3, 2011 1:35 pm
by Cody JW
Extremeophile wrote:
rlboyce wrote:Idunno... I've heard significantly more good than bad about Stens.
I guess everyone has their own opinion though.

Yes. It's interesting to me that all the criticism I read here about Stens is coming from folks that don't own them. There seems to be a growing contingent of armchair cavers passing judgement on the faults of various headlamps without any first-hand experience. :doh:
You do not have to own one to see problems that others have with them when you are in the cave with them. I do not own one because I think you are foolish to spend that kind of money on a light when the tech. changes so rapidly. We already have lights that are over 100 lm brighter for one third the price, and it will only get better. Are they a nice light? hell yes. Would I pay 375 for one, not on my life with the other options we now have.

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 4, 2011 3:26 am
by DeanWiseman
Cody JW wrote:
Extremeophile wrote:
rlboyce wrote:Idunno... I've heard significantly more good than bad about Stens.
I guess everyone has their own opinion though.

Yes. It's interesting to me that all the criticism I read here about Stens is coming from folks that don't own them. There seems to be a growing contingent of armchair cavers passing judgement on the faults of various headlamps without any first-hand experience. :doh:
You do not have to own one to see problems that others have with them when you are in the cave with them.


Well... for what it's worth, I'll invite anyone who has a Sten (regardless of the version) to invite me on a decent caving trip (hopefully without Dean-sized squeezes :tonguecheek: ). We can do a joint write-up... maybe even submit it to the NSS News? Even better, if we can find a Scurion (I know at least one person with one)... and I'm ~probably~ going to buy that new Zebralight H600 as a companion lamp... that would be a fun little caving-trip comparison. I doubt anyone I know has a Rude Nora, though. Oh well. :roll:

But we should definitely set up a trip with as many different lights as we can find. Maybe Tumbling Rock?? Solution Rift?


:exploring:


-Dean

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 4, 2011 9:33 am
by Extremeophile
DeanWiseman wrote:Well... for what it's worth, I'll invite anyone who has a Sten (regardless of the version) to invite me on a decent caving trip (hopefully without Dean-sized squeezes :tonguecheek: ). We can do a joint write-up... maybe even submit it to the NSS News? Even better, if we can find a Scurion (I know at least one person with one)... and I'm ~probably~ going to buy that new Zebralight H600 as a companion lamp... that would be a fun little caving-trip comparison. I doubt anyone I know has a Rude Nora, though. Oh well. :roll:

But we should definitely set up a trip with as many different lights as we can find. Maybe Tumbling Rock?? Solution Rift?


:exploring:


-Dean

Now your talking!
Enough speculating about beam patterns, LED warmth, front-to-back weight distribution, lumens, etc.... Let's go caving!

I'm thinking about a Mammoth expedition over New Years, and could be talked into staying to visit some TAG caves. I might also be in Indiana for work during the 2nd week of November. I'll bring my Scurion (the 1500).

Derek

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 4, 2011 3:47 pm
by Cody JW
I suspect The Scurion 1500 will be brighter than anything , then after that will be the Rude Nora then after that the list gets long. As far as headlamps are concerned that are mass marketed .

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 4, 2011 5:37 pm
by rlboyce
Do it!! : )

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 5, 2011 6:41 am
by DeanWiseman
Extremeophile wrote:]
Now your talking!
Enough speculating about beam patterns, LED warmth, front-to-back weight distribution, lumens, etc.... Let's go caving!

I'm thinking about a Mammoth expedition over New Years, and could be talked into staying to visit some TAG caves. I might also be in Indiana for work during the 2nd week of November. I'll bring my Scurion (the 1500).

Derek



I'm all for it! Just let me know the details of your trip(s), and we'll work something out. I have Bridge Day coming up on the 15th of this month, but after that, the calendar is wide open.

-Dean

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 5, 2011 2:24 pm
by trogman
Sounds like that would be a great opportunity to get together and meet fellow CaveChatters as well. One of the best testing grounds I could think of would be Ellisons. We could see if any headlight can throw a beam of light to the bottom of Fantastic 600' below. I am guessing the Scurion would probably do it, but I'm not sure about any of the others.

Trogman :helmet:

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 5, 2011 3:10 pm
by DeanWiseman
trogman wrote:Sounds like that would be a great opportunity to get together and meet fellow CaveChatters as well. One of the best testing grounds I could think of would be Ellisons. We could see if any headlight can throw a beam of light to the bottom of Fantastic 600' below. I am guessing the Scurion would probably do it, but I'm not sure about any of the others.


I'm up for it. I've actually hauled an incandescent "deer-hunter special" hand lamp, powered by a 12V sealed lead-acid battery in there before, back in the mid 90's... I'm guess about 150,000 candlepower. Could see floor, no problem. Hardest part was finding a place in the attic where you could get a good view down... there's sort of a "twist" in the shape of Fantastic Pit at the top. So even though it's a free drop, you must either be in the perfect spot on the lip, or out away from the lip on rope.

-Dean

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 5, 2011 10:14 pm
by Chads93GT
Last time I was at fantastic with my HP20 (new) I was amazed that I could see the light reflecting off of the water at the bottom of the pit. Granted, it didnt look like daylight down there like a 150,000 candle power lamp would but yeah, i know the types youa re talking about. Friends of mine back home have some powerful stuff for coon hunting, among other things.

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 9, 2011 11:02 pm
by Lava
Well, I think I just stepped off the proverbial cave light "bus" for a few years.

Image

Spark ST6-460NW primary and Zebralight H31w backup. Just a few years ago I couldn't have imagined a setup this small and light with so much runtime and light output.

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 10, 2011 5:15 am
by rlboyce
I am envious of your setup. The really cool part is, these lights are so cheap that it's not as if I need to save up money to buy them!

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 10, 2011 6:00 am
by NSS8921
Comparison of Stenlight 7 and Spark 460NW (with normal lens and the reflector): This comparison was made in Richard’s Cave, GA. Conditions were quite dry, so the 4 waterfall drops had only heavy spray. The big room at the bottom is several hundred feet long and up to 120’ wide. Most of the comparison took place there.

The Stenlight 7 is much bluer than the Spark 460NW, but still comes across as white. The Spark is noticeably brighter on turbo. The Spark also has a tighter center beam, but more spill. Both are fine lights.

Eventually, I will try the diffuser, but I am very happy with the normal lens for horizontal and vertical caving.

For the $90 investment in the Spark (I already had 18650’s and charger), I am very happy.

John

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 10, 2011 7:38 am
by Chads93GT
used mine this weekend in deep well. i could easilys ee the bottom of the 292' drop from the top, the spark 500 that is. It lit up the big room in wilson hollow horror hole as well.

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 10, 2011 9:09 am
by DeanWiseman
Lava wrote:Well, I think I just stepped off the proverbial cave light "bus" for a few years.

Spark ST6-460NW primary and Zebralight H31w backup. Just a few years ago I couldn't have imagined a setup this small and light with so much runtime and light output.


:kewl:

I'm going to do the same thing, only more whole-hog, and get the H600. :yikes:



-Dean

Re: Fenix hp-11 or Spark st-6 500cw

PostPosted: Oct 10, 2011 11:22 am
by rlboyce
Brighter than the Stenlight you say? Hmm... I'm sold!!

Now you're talking Dean! : ) I have a feeling that the H600 will be significantly brighter than the 500CW.

Do any of you know what the spot and spill angles are on the Sparks? It would be very helpful to know this for those who are undecided between a 500CW and H600.

Couple more weeks and I'll be buying one... I can't wait!