Spark ST-6 460NW Cree XM-L

[rlboyce]

Pretty sure I've found my next headlamp purchase! I would prefer to have 2x18650s and a battery pack for weight distribution, but this still seems to be a very nice light overall.

Beamshots:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?314322-Spark-ST-6-460NW-Cree-XM-L-review-%28in-progress%29.

Specs:
http://www.sbflashlights.com/Spark/Spark-ST6-460NW-p112.html

[NSS8921]

The Spark ST-6 looks pretty interesting. The eGear 400 looks nice, too and is focusable though not as bright. Anyone out there tried it?

[LukeM]

Looks like just a single, spotty beam with the Spark. Could do a ground glass diffuser mod like the review mentions, but then you have only flood. Not ideal. Would be curious to hear some hands on feedback when it comes to the eGear 400.

[rlboyce]

Not sure I completely agree. Yes, it's not 100% ideal, but it does have decent spill so you still have plenty of light for your feet and surroundings. I think my enthusiasm at the time was due to the fact that I found an XM-L headlamp at all, it used 18650s, it has an excellent waterproof rating and the price wasn't too bad. I admit I never bought one though. Waiting for other brands to follow suit with XM-Ls to see if they can improve on the Spark model and hopefully the prices will go down some.

[LukeM]

Actually, for some reason I overlooked the price on my first glance. For some reason I thought I'd seen the price as much higher when I saw this light a little while back. $100 for a light capable of 460 lumens that uses a single 18650 cell is pretty darn neat. I'm a real stickler for appropriate beam types though, and this does seem to fall in the Fenix HP-10 category of having a narrow beam amongst a dim spill, AKA flashlight on your head. Still, with that price I will admit it's pretty attractive. Like you said, it will be interesting to see what other manufacturers do with the XM-L, especially ZebraLight.

[processedin]

I bought a 340 Lumens CREE XP-G R5 LED flashlight Xeccon D1 Specially for diving. It’s really an amazing flashlight, which is perfect for diving.I took it to the underwater over 100m without any damages, which is surprised me a lot.

[Mark620]

get a Spark Headlamps Frosted Lens : http://www.sbflashlights.com/Spark/Spar ... -p117.html
When you purchase the light

[rlboyce]

Thanks! Didn't know they offered this.

[NSS8921]

Ooooo! 460 lumens of neutral white, 18650 battery and a frosted lens that doesn't pop off like the Fenix diffuser! Anyone out there actually tried one? If yes, how spotty is it with the frosted lens?

[NSS8921]

Found some beamshots with and without the frosted lens. Looks pretty artifact-free.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... n-progress)

[Steven Johnson]

Looks pretty promising -- the question is, how cave-worthy is it? Hopefully someone will buy one and report on how well it deals with caver-inflicted abuse...

[rlboyce]

How cave worthy? Well, check this cool video out (read the description too!):



If your lights experience more abuse in a cave than what these guys put those lights through, then I'd be very surprised. If you need something more durable than one of these Sparks, then you should probably consider going a little easier on your equipment. : )

I'm still in love with this light. For the output, waterproofing, durability and phenomenal runtimes, I really haven't found a decent competitor yet in this price range. As I previously mentioned, for me it does not have the perfect design nor does it have the perfect beam pattern. However, for me the deviations from perfection are tradeoffs I can easily live with. It's still a great, quality light.

[NSS8921]

Wow - impressive torture test! What color temperature and CRI is it?

[LukeM]

Wow - impressive torture test! What color temperature and CRI is it?

Looks like for this LED the color temp is somewhere in the 4500-4700K range and CRI should be about 75.

I believe the beamshots you linked to were using the Spark with a home made frosted lens rather than the one sold by Spark. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if this is the case the available diffuser could be quite different.

Give me a quicker way to switch between diffuse and spot with this light and I'm sold!

[NSS8921]

Luke and Ryan - thanks for the info. The color temp. is right where I want it and I'm not waiting for the Zebralight H600, so I'm getting one.

John Robinson