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

PostPosted: Aug 29, 2011 6:24 pm
by rlboyce
Watch out Sten... they're catching up!!

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

PostPosted: Aug 31, 2011 10:32 am
by Lava
Just got my Spark ST6-500CW in the mail yesterday. Looks to be a quality piece. I won't be taking it caving until October, but I'll let you know how it works.

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

PostPosted: Aug 31, 2011 10:35 am
by DeanWiseman
Lava wrote:Just got my Spark ST6-500CW in the mail yesterday. Looks to be a quality piece. I won't be taking it caving until October, but I'll let you know how it works.


:yeah that: I got mine, too. Stoked to use it. :exploring:


-Dean

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

PostPosted: Aug 31, 2011 11:06 am
by Batgirl
Let us know how you like it. I may be getting one too soon.

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

PostPosted: Aug 31, 2011 12:28 pm
by Caver John
I'm always Interested in seeing beam shots if anyones up to it

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

PostPosted: Aug 31, 2011 9:27 pm
by Chads93GT
Where are you guys buying the Spark at?

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

PostPosted: Sep 1, 2011 10:09 am
by Lava
Chads93GT wrote:Where are you guys buying the Spark at?


http://www.sbflashlights.com/Spark/Spar ... -p106.html

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

PostPosted: Sep 5, 2011 9:09 am
by rlboyce
Anybody use their new Spark over the weekend?? I'm DYING to know how this thing does underground compared to other lights.

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

PostPosted: Sep 5, 2011 10:06 am
by Chads93GT
rlboyce wrote:Anybody use their new Spark over the weekend?? I'm DYING to know how this thing does underground compared to other lights.



this

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

PostPosted: Sep 5, 2011 10:19 am
by Marduke
For those commenting on the weight difference, I would point out that the HP-11 is balanced front-rear, while the spark is disproportioned to all front. Not a big deal for some folks, downright annoying to others.

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

PostPosted: Sep 5, 2011 10:34 am
by rlboyce
Chad, this what?

Marduke, yes, this is something I pointed out in an earlier post. I agree, it's all up to the user's preference.

My personal preference is for the weight to be divided across the head. However, I'm willing to give up this luxury for a light that performs well. I will be buying this light or the similarly "disproportioned" H600, but I'm still waiting for the H600 to come out so I can compare the minor details before making a final decision. I plan on offsetting this disproportionality by also wearing my Apex as a backup. As the Apex battery pack is significantly heavier than the Apex head, I'm thinking this setup will actually work out quite well in terms of even weight distribution. Guess we'll see.

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

PostPosted: Sep 5, 2011 10:48 am
by Chads93GT
This, as in, YEah, as anyone actually used this lamp yet or is it all just keyboard caving so far, lol. id like the option of 500 lumens but not if the light totally sucks underground, not waterproof, etc. I do lots of river caves so its gotta be water tight.

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

PostPosted: Sep 5, 2011 11:03 am
by rlboyce
Ah, I see. : )

As far as the waterproof thing goes, without actually testing it underground it appears that it would do well in river caves. That YouTube video of Spark lights going through a torture test seems rather convincing, where they repeatedly bounce the lights off of concrete and then dunk them in a pool, pull them out of the pool and do it all over again. I believe one Cavechatter has already submerged his light under water for a couple of hours with no adverse effect. I'm like you though, still waiting to see an actual underground trial performed by cavers.

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

PostPosted: Sep 6, 2011 11:54 am
by DeanWiseman
rlboyce wrote:Anybody use their new Spark over the weekend?? I'm DYING to know how this thing does underground compared to other lights.


Didn't use it underground, but I did use it extensively outdoors over this past weekend... on uneven trail in dense woods.

Very impressed so far. :kewl: And I didn't seem to notice the weight-forward issue at all. I know this is a poor comparison to underground use, but I must say I'm very happy. The kids I was with spotted some glow bugs in the low grass, and that 500 lumen setting was PERFECT for lighting up the area so we could find the little critters.

:wtg:

Also, I was using the diffuser lens, rather than the clear lens.

I'm scheduled for a cave trip this coming weekend... and this one's almost a sure bet. So, I'll give you an actual in-cave field test ASAP. :exploring:

-Dean

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

PostPosted: Sep 6, 2011 7:12 pm
by rlboyce
Sweet!! Looking forward to it!

While forward weight seems to be a recurring concern, I also notice that every review I've read of the light so far the reviewers are consistently surprised that the light is not as forward heavy as they thought it might be.