The item(s) contained in this review were purchased by The Naked Whiz Publishing Empire from an online retailer. No considerationss, financial or otherwise, were solicited or received from Fireboard.

Introduction

Update (05/05/22): On May 4, 2022, Fireboard released a new firmware version for the Spark, version 1.2.2. Highlights of this new version are: Multiple channel view in Syncmode. Before you could only see one channel at a time and the display scrolled through all the channels. Now you can put all channels on the screen in one display. They have added a graph display mode for the leave-in probe. Before all you could see was the temperature. Now the temperature is overlaid on a graph of the probe's readings. Improved power management while using the leave-in probe. They have implemented additional logic in how the Spark switches between normal and sleep mode. Additional details along with photos can be found at the Fireboard website. Based upon our experience with this update, in order to get it to begin, you must not have a probe plugged in and you must have USB-C power plugged in. It should start the update as soon as your Spark connects to the internet. Then, leave it alone. Eventually, the screen will go blank and it takes a while before the unit comes back. Just leave it alone.

The new Fireboard Spark is a curious beast. It's an instant-read thermometer. But it has a socket for an external wired leave-in probe. It also connects to the Fireboard cloud to allow you to share your temperature data with the cloud, and lets you display data from other Fireboard devices such as the Fireboard 2 Drive. So, how does it perform as an instant-read thermometer? What's it like using it to monitor a leave-in probe? And how useful is being able to monitor another Fireboard device from the Spark? Let's find out.

Features

Here is a list of features and specifications for the Fireboard Spark:

• Highly accurate and fast Type K thermocouple instant-read thermometer
• Temperature measurement range: -58°F to 572°F (-50°C to 300°C)
• Instant-read accuracy ±0.7°F (±0.4°C) from -4°F to 392°F (-20°C to 200°C); ±1.8°F (±1.0°C) otherwise.
• IP66 rated (totally protected against dust, protected against strong jets of water)
• Not safe for dishwasher or submersion
• Socket for 2.5mm leave-in 100K thermistor temperature probe (not included)
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications
• Connects to the Fireboard cloud for tracking other Fireboard devices
• NFC Scanner
• Temperature Alarms - Lets you know when a probe's temperature gets too high or low.
• Haptic feedback for certain events such as recording a temperature reading.
• Built-in magnets to attach the device to metal surfaces
• Built-in Li-ion 2600 mAh battery
• Battery charge lifetime 12+ hours in normal use
• Display: ⅞" x 2-9/16", 192 x 64 backlit LCD, autorotate, manual brightness/contrast
• Single multicolor LED indicator showing connection status, battery charge, etc.
• Power glitch safe by virtue of it's internal battery.
• Display in °F or °C.
• Operating temperatures: -13°F to 140°F (-25°C to 60°C)
• Unit weight: 0.32 lbs (145 g)
• Controller dimensions: 6.25" x 1.44" x 1.06" (159mm x 37mm x 27mm)

Compared To Other Instant-Read Thermometers

To our knowledge, there is no other instant-read thermometer on the market which also can support an external probe as well as connectivity to the cloud so we'll confine this comparison simply to the instant-read thermometer function of the Spark. We'll also confine our comparison to what is probably considered the gold standard of instant-read thermometers, the latest offering from Thermoworks, the Thermapen ONE.

	Fireboard Spark	Thermapen ONE
Range	-58° to 572°F (-50° to 300°C)	-58° to 572°F (-50° to 300°C)
Accuracy	±0.7°F (±0.4°C) from -4°F to 392°F (-20°C to 200°C) otherwise ±1.8°F (±1.0°C)	±0.5°F (±0.3°C) from -4°F to 248°F (-20°C to 120°C) otherwise ±1.8°F (±1.0°C)
Speed¹	∼2.1 seconds	< 1 second
Display	⅞" x 2-9/16" (22mm x 65mm), 192 x 64 backlit LCD autorotate, manual brightness	1" x 1.54" (25mm x 39mm) backlit LCD autorotate, intelligent backlight
Battery	2600mAh Li-Ion	1 x AAA
Battery Life²	∼24 hours (with Sync Mode on)	2000 hours
Water Resistance	IP66	IP67
Anti-Microbial Case	No	Biomaster Silver Ion additive
Warranty	1 year	5 years

Notes:	1) We will have more information of instant-read speed later in the review.
	2) We realize the battery life comparison is apples/oranges, but Fireboard doesn't publish     any figures for battery life when using the Spark only as an instant-read thermometer.

The Basic System

The Spark package comes with the following items:

• The Spark unit itself
• USB-C charging cable
• Quick Start Guide
• Certificate of calibration
• Amazin' Ribs Temperature Guide

A Few Observations About The Components

Although the Spark is a bit large for an instant-read thermometer, it does feel good in your hand and the auto rotating display means a left-handed person can manage to use it. (Because the instant-read probe on the Spark and the Thermapen ONE only open to 180°, a left-handed person can't use it exactly like a right-handed person, but but at least the display rotates.) And although it is heavier than most instant-read thermometers, it does feel solidly built. The rubber cover over the USB-C port and external probe socket feels rather flimsy and should probably be treated with care. If this cover comes off, you lose your water resistance component of the IP66 rating.

The System Unit

The unit itself is approximately 6.25" x 1.44" x 1.06" (159mm x 37mm x 27mm) and weighs 5.1 ounces. The display is a ⅞" x 2-9/16", 192 x 64 pixel backlit LCD, with autorotate. Display brightness and contrast have to be selected manually through the menus. (Whatever you do, don't set the brightness to "Off" or you'll have great difficulty getting back into the menus and setting it back on.) There is a multi-color LED on one end of the unit which is used to convey various bits of information like charging status and connection status.

There is no dedicated power switch, per se. Power can be turned on either by pressing the Function Button on the end of the unit or by opening the instant-read probe. Turning off the unit requires going through the menus and selecting "Power Off". The unit has connections for a USB-C cable for charging, and a 2.5mm socket for a 100K thermister external temperature probe.

On the back there is an instant-read probe that swings open up to 180°.

Finally, on the back there is also molded a Wi-Fi icon which indicates the location of the NFC antenna (we'll talk in more detail about the NFC scanner later in the review):

The location of the NFC scanner's antenna, shown by this Wi-Fi icon.

Controls

There is one control on the Spark, the Function button, which resides on the right end of the unit:

The Function Button serves many purposes:

• You can use it to turn the unit on.
• You can use it to open the menu, navigate the menu and make selections from the menu. (A long press will open the menu. A short press will then scroll through the menu. Another long press will select the current item on the menu.)
• You can use it to record a reading with the instant-read probe.

The Function Button is a bit difficult to press, but at least it does stand proud of the case (unlike the Fireboard 2 units) which makes it easy to find by feel. It's placement on the end of the Spark also makes it a bit awkward to use one-handed.