Difference between Spark SD6 and ST6

[druidmars]

Hey CPF fellows,

I am more the flashlight kind of guy, although I use my Spark ST6 with the frosted lens outdoors every night. I am aware there's another similar model: the SD6. Mine is still the old version without the moonlight mode. Other than the form factor, what is the difference(s) between these two models? Beam profile? I went through their website but couldn't find it.
Thanks

 

[Szemhazai]

The main difference is beam profile :
ST - integrated collimator with interchangeable glass diffuser.
SD - pure floood in standard - it's possible to mount collimator but it's much smaller than in ST series so the range will be much shorter.

 

[druidmars]

I got it now. They should state that in their website.
Thanks Szemhazai!

 

[Szemhazai]

If you compare those two headlamps side by side it's quite obvious - doesn't need extra explanation...

 

[druidmars]

Now that you bluntly put them like this, yes. I didn't see them up close like that.
The SD6 must also be a hell of a headlamp.

 

[PCC]

I only own one headlamp and its the SD6. I bought it because of the versatility offered by the design. Want pure flood? Put on the original lens assembly. Want a collimated beam? Screw on the reflector. The thing about using a diffuser over a reflector is that you're losing output when you use it, and, most of the time you still have a hotspot, albeit the spill is brighter and the hotspot is dimmer.

 

[Bolster]

As mentioned, Druid, for +$10, you can purchase Spark's alternate mirrored spot/spill bezel for the SD6, turning it from flood into a traditional spot/spill beam. (Search for "Spark SD Reflector.") I believe you can obtain these from either of the two traditional Spark merchants: goinggear or sbflashlights. Perhaps others.

So what would be the difference between an ST6 and an SD6 with the spot/spill bezel attached? Less than before, although I'd imagine the ST6 with its deeper reflector would throw farther and more efficiently...conjecture, as I haven't compared.

The next question is, what would be the difference between an ST6 with its reflector pulled, and an SD6? Again, less than before, although a reflectorless ST6 would have a narrower beam than the SD6 at 115 degrees. My SX5 without the reflector gives a beam of around 80 degrees.

So your original question was a good one. These two headlamps, with a little modification, can throw rather similar beams, regardless of their quite different appearances.

Kudos to Spark for making headlamps you can modify (and bezels sealed with o-rings).

 

[druidmars]

I understand. They are going for the Zebra h502 type of light with 120 degree beam. This model was not available when I bought mine or I think I might have bought the SD6 (I always use mine with frosted lens on). Still, it's an awesome light and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for all that info Bolster.

 

[Bolster]

I understand. They are going for the Zebra h502 type of light with 120 degree beam. This model wa not available when I bought mine or I think I might have bought the SD6 (I always use mine with frosted lens on). Still, it's an awesome light and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for all that info Bolster.

For fun, try pulling out the reflector sometime and see if you like the beam better than with the frosted lens, which gives a more directional flood. I pulled the reflector from my SX5 and have never looked back, I really like the even flood beam of 80 degrees.

If you do this, you may want to encircle the inside of the emitter tube with white paint or reflective material, to get all the lumens you deserve. I use a strip of index card rolled into a circle, myself.

To your point, no reason for you to repurchase, as with a small bit of modding you can have a very nice floody light if you want one, even without the frosted lens. Only if 80 degrees weren't wide enough for you, would you reconsider the SD6, IMO.

 

[druidmars]

It would be good to have both. I believe I'd use the SD6 for indoor use and the ST for outdoors, as I just do. But hey, around the house I use the HDS moonlight so I don't really need the SD6... but I'd like to have it anyway 🙂

 

[snakyjake]

I have the SD6 with the two reflectors. Love the options and size.

 

[beast1210]

here's some night shots of the sd52 with and without reflector running 2- 1.5v AA vs 1- 14500 li ion

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.495338840505906.114965.444737228899401&type=1&l=31c96aa517

 

[Sector7]

another big difference, is the ST6 can accept the large protected 3400 mAh batteries as oppose to SD6 can fit mostly unprotected cells and battery crushes protected ones...can't get any protected ones to work in mine (AW, Redilast Eagletac)

 

[Ace12]

I would love to see some beamshots of the ST6 without the reflector.

 

[TSellers]

another big difference, is the ST6 can accept the large protected 3400 mAh batteries as oppose to SD6 can fit mostly unprotected cells and battery crushes protected ones...can't get any protected ones to work in mine (AW, Redilast Eagletac)

The SD6 I have holds the Spark 3100 and 2600 protected cells which are 67 1/4 with room to spare. Those Panny's are 69.2mm. So I put a 2mm shim in my SD6 and tried screwing the cap on with a Spark 3100mah inside, and just as you said, I put a depression in the +cap on my battery (fortunately I did not screw real tight so the dimple is small, and the battery still works OK). I'm going to be getting some of those cells tomorrow and didn't realize I wouldn't be able to use them, fortunately I can use them in my ST6 and battery pack for the SX5, and as I also ordered some of the unprotected one as well, I'll use those for the SD6.

 

[beamon]

On the ST6, doesn't that protruding lens on the front eventually droop down while hiking? Does anyone have long-term experience with this? I would expect the SD6 to be more stable that way.

 

[druidmars]

On the ST6, doesn't that protruding lens on the front eventually droop down while hiking? Does anyone have long-term experience with this? I would expect the SD6 to be more stable that way.

No if it's tight enough. You just have to fit it snugly and it's very comfortable.

 

[Aperture]

another big difference, is the ST6 can accept the large protected 3400 mAh batteries as oppose to SD6 can fit mostly unprotected cells and battery crushes protected ones...can't get any protected ones to work in mine (AW, Redilast Eagletac)

That's weird, my SD6 works fine with any of the 6 3400mAh Eagletac's I own at the moment.