Review: Spark SK3 and SK7, two nice EDCs

herculaneum79

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Joined
Nov 28, 2011
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103
Location
Germany
Good day!


The well-known flashlight manufacturer Spark introduced two new nice flashlights, the inexpensive SK3 and SK7.


The small SK7 runs with one AAA-Cell and reaches 35 lumens. Her sister SK3 reaches up to 200 lumens with one 16340 cell and has got three brightness modes.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924285288/in/photostream/lightbox/
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One of the things I do really like is the cheap price! You can buy the SK7 for about 30 $, the SK3 costs less then 50 Dollars.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/7070355155/in/photostream/lightbox/
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Small flashlights, small packages: In contrast to the bigger Spark-Models such as SL6 or SD6 there's not the typically black Spark-Package, but a even smaller package with with window face. The content of the package is well protected from hits and other impacts thanks to the celluar material inlay.
Of course there's not only the lights itself in the box. A english user's manual is part of the scope of delivery at both lamps. The SK3 comes with a carabiner and a spare O-Ring, the SK7 hasn't got a second O-Ring, but also a carabiner.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/7070355159/in/photostream/lightbox/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/7070355161/in/photostream/lightbox/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/7070355185/in/photostream/lightbox/
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As we know it from the other flashlights and headlamps from Spark, the body of SK3 and SK7 is made out of top quality aluminium. And the color of the anodizing is also the same: They're not black, they're grey! I like the grey color because the SK3 and SK7 seperate from other EDC-Flashlights thanks to that.
As a tribute to the short time of ownership, I can't say anything to the body/anodizing resistance, but both other Spark lights I own since months, SL6S and SL5, look nearly like on the first day! So I come to the conclusion that the two new flashlights will look good even after a few months.
The anodizing is well made on both lights, but sadly there's a one millimeter defect at the SK3 body - see picture. Nothing dramatically!
Thanks to the riffle the body of SK3 and SK7 is slip-proof.


On the back end of both EDC-Lights you can find a fitting with a hole to attach a lanyard or the provided carabiner. My exemplar of SK3 has got a not perfect hole, it's a bit to high so there's only thin rest of material to hold the lanyard ring. But I'm gonna get a second SK3 on monday so I'll be able to check whether it's better or not ;-)




The stainless steel bezel in the front cases the high-quality Schott-Glass and is completely plain so there's no danger for your trouser pocket. And the plain bezel is even part of the untactical look of the two flashlights.


The screw threads of both lamps are also high quality. They are well made and a little bit greased so there's no contact noise or something else. Because of the black O-Ring both SK3 and SK7 are waterproofed IPX-8.
By the way: Those carabiners from the scope of delivery are a nice gift for attaching the flashlights on several objects such as backpacks, but I like lanyards more.
In my opinion the carabiner looks a bit oversized on the small SK7 ;)


Let's have a look at size and weight.
SK3 and SK7 are, of course, EDC flashlights. Carrying with them every day calls for low weight and size!
Spark says that the SK3 has got a weight of 23 gram without battery, the SK7 weights 11 gram. Taking the two lights in your hand for the first time let you come to the conclusion that the low weight is perfect for every day carry!
I measured a length of 64 Millimeters and a diameter of 19 Millimeters. Her sister SK3 has got a diameter of 21 Millimeters and a length of 61 Millimeters.


So you do not really feel them in your trouser pocket :)


Altogether the two flashlights are on a very high niveau concerning body and machining quality!




http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924282286/lightbox/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924282310/in/photostream/lightbox/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924282292/in/photostream/lightbox/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924282306/in/photostream/lightbox/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924285284/in/photostream/lightbox/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924285310/in/photostream/lightbox/
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Spark used a cool-white Cree XP-E in both lamps. Thanks to the reflector that is about one centimeter deep the SK3 is a little thrower :)
And of course, both smooth reflectors are well made.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924282296/in/photostream/lightbox/
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Because of the different bodies it is logically that the two lamps use different batteries.
You can use one AAA-Battery, one AAA-NiMH or one 10440-Li-Ion in the thin SK7. The driver working range is from 0.8-4.2V. I used a Sanyo Eneloop in my tests.


The SK3 can be used with one RC123A primary cell or one 16340 Li-Ion accu.
I tested it with a 34mm long battery from AW and a two millimeters longer battery from TrustFire. Both work well!
In contrast to most of the other flashlights you put in the battery the other way round - plus to the tail!


The SK3 runs 37 minutes with one AW-16340. After that time the flashlight switched off suddenly. It was possible to use it in the two darker modes for a long time!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924285312/in/photostream/lightbox/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924288044/in/photostream/lightbox/
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Sadly it is not recommended to run the SK3 on high for a longer time. The small body and the missing cooling fins are the reason why the body gets very soon warm!
I measured the temperature with an IR-Thermometer on the mid of the body.
But don't be frightened: If you use the SK3, you'll hold it in your hand so that wind and blood circulation cool down the flashlight!


Start:
25,2° Celsius
After 2 Minutes:
37,3°
After 4min:
43,8°
After 6min:
47,1°
After 8min:
52,8°


Let's talk about the handling.
SK3 and SK7 have the same handling principle: Tighten the head activates the light.
Loosen it to switch the light of or to change the brightness modes.
Maybe you know that handling from other EDC lights such as the ThruNite Ti or the Lummi Raw.
In my opinion it is very easy and handy! You hold the flashlight in one hand and handle the head with thumb and forefinger.


The SK7 has got only one brightness mode with 35 Lumens, the SK3 is a bit better here: It has got three brightness modes in the order Low, Med, High.
Low has got 8 Lumens, Med 40 Lumens and High has got very bright 200 Lumens!




http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924288050/in/photostream/lightbox/
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So now what to say about the beam? The SK3 is a light thrower, the SK7 a flooder!
Whitewall shot with my iPhone: Left is the SK7, right the SK3 at 40 lumens mode.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/7070701971/in/photostream/lightbox/
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I will make some beamshots next week!


As a conclusion, I can say that Spark developed two very nice EDC flashlights. SK3 and SK7 have got a good body quality, a high brightness and a nice design!
And the most interesting thing is the low price! You get a very high quality for a low price.
I don't know which one you'd prefer, but I like the SK3 more because of the higher brightness.


You can find more Information, Reviews and Beamshots at [url]www.facebook.com/FlashlightReviews[/URL] :)




Lummi Wee, Lummi Raw, SK3, SK7, ThruNite Ti und Maxtoch ED2R-5.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/partypixx/6924288072/in/photostream/lightbox/
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derfyled

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Jul 29, 2006
Messages
1,058
Location
Canada
Nice review, thank you !

These new lights seems great. I'm impress by the strange knurling pattern, very original.
 

tatteredmidnight

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Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
102
Very nice review. I have a few quesitons about the UI though. You mentioned it has a similar UI to the ThruNite Ti but with 3 modes? Does this mean there is no turning on and off to switch modes? For the ThruNite, as you know, if you tighten a little it comes on low, tighten more for high, i'm wondiering if that is the UI but with 3 modes?

If it is I'm all over these. This is one of my favorite UI's for a twisty. My EZAA R2 has that interface with 2 modes and I just love it.

-- Adam
 

herculaneum79

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Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Messages
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Location
Germany
Hi Adam,

no, it UI is a bit different.
Tighten head -> Low mode -> Loosen -> Off -> Tighten again -> Med -> Loosen -> Off -> Tighten: -> High.

But thats also okay and I like that the SK3 doesn't have a Strobe mode that disturbs in the order of brightness modes.
 

Dubois

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Feb 12, 2012
Messages
660
Nice review - thanks. I ordered a SK7 ten days ago from Hong Kong - $22 shipped. Looking forward to seeing it in the hand (or keychain)
 

tatteredmidnight

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Mar 23, 2010
Messages
102
Thanks for the info Herc. I am still going to pull the trigger. Its nice to see the current swing away from tacticool lights for us civilians. I hate strobes and I don't have a gun to mount a light to.

These lights have an awesome and unique look, from the pics i really like it. And the price point is excellent.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
 

Draven451

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Jan 4, 2006
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USA
Thanks for an informative post on these new offerings from Spark.

I don't think I like the knurling design. Also it would be more useful for my purposes if the sk7 had more than one mode. While the 35 lumens is good for most tasks, late nite trips where keeping night vision undisturbed would be ruined that that level. Maybe if they add a firefly mode or a 3 lumen mode.
 

swxb12

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Oct 31, 2006
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Bay Area, CA
Thank you for posting such nice photos. The SK7 looks like a potential alternative to the E05 that I love. Very custom looking knurling and a SS bezel...I'm intrigued.
 

herculaneum79

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Nov 28, 2011
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Germany
I am glad you like the review and the pictures!
By the way, I do also like the new knurling.

So now let's wait for the Spark SP6 - a new interesting flashlight.
 

davyro

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Sep 23, 2011
Messages
549
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Durham,England
Great little review herc,i'm with you on the knurling can you imagine how good that would look in Ti.You can't go wrong with the price for these smart edc lights,also 200 lumen with an XR E should make the SK3 a quite good punchy thrower:)
 

herculaneum79

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Nov 28, 2011
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Thanks!

I'm gonna take some beamshots later this week … I'm only waiting for the V11R and the IMRs for my Lummi Short Orb.
 

dmkatz76

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Aug 29, 2011
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Thanks for a great review! The SK7 looks like a winner, especially at that price point. I haven't seen the Maxtoch before. Is it a clicky?
 

Colonel Sanders

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ROLL TIDE!
Looking at the pics of the SK3 makes me wonder if an 18350 might fit it. Does the 16340 fit loosely? Or perhaps you have an 18350 to check it with? Thanks. :)
 

Bwolcott

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Apr 19, 2012
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just ordered the sk7 cant wait to get it!! do you know if its brighter with the 10440? or is it the same
 

herculaneum79

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Nov 28, 2011
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Germany
My Trustfire 18350 have arrived. Sadly they do not fit in any of my lamps except from the Niteye EYE10.
And they even do not fit in the SK3.
 
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