A few things we'll point out about using the Spark:

1. If you plug in the USB-C cable, the Spark will power on and start charging as indicated by the LED. If you go into the menus and turn the Spark off, the LED will turn off, but the Spark will continue to charge.

2. It takes a long time to recognize that the device being monitored in SynchMode has gone away, so be patient.

3. The rubber cover over the USB-C and external probe sockets is a bit flimsy, so treat it with care. Without the cover, water can make its way into the unit.
4. The Device Info battery level indicator is totally inaccurate when charging with the USB-C cord. Unplug the USB-C cord to get a more realistic value and then you can plug the USB-C cord back in.

Pros and Cons

Here is a list of what we feel are the Pro's and Con's of the Fireboard Spark:

Pros:

• Relatively fast instant-read probe. While not as fast as a Thermapen ONE, it is certainly as fast as most instant-read thermometers and fast enough for home cooks.

• Good integration with other Fireboard devices in the Fireboard App.

• Combination of functions (instant read probe, external probe, SyncMode, NFC reader) could be useful to some people.

• Large easy to read display.

• Impressive battery life.

• Access is provided to raw data in a somewhat usable format.

Cons:

• The Spark's handling of battery level indicators is unreliable and often inaccurate.

• It is possible to accidentally turn the display off. This makes it hard to navigate the menu system and turn it back on since you can't see what your are doing.

• There is no external probe provided. Since one of the selling points of the Spark is that it is an instant-read thermometer with a socket for an external probe, it would have made sense to provide a probe. We doubt many would buy the Spark unless they intend to use the external probe.

• Only 100K thermistors are supported. We would have expected it to support all three probe types supported by the other Fireboard devices.

• You cannot use SyncMode to monitor another Fireboard device if you are using an external probe.

• The Spark cannot be calibrated. Even though it shows up as an option in the App, trying to calibrate the external probe does nothing. Surprising since it is just a bit of software.

• The Function button is hard to press and is in an awkward location. It would have been better, if possible, to locate the Function Button on the face of the Spark. Recording instant-read probe readings is awkward due to the location of the Function Button and the force required to press it.

• The NFC reader isn't of much use. The NFC tag information is incomplete, readings aren't identified, and data is not available for download.

• No charging block is provided.
• Neither Alexa/Google nor SyncMode identify which Fireboard device is being reported/displayed. Also, Alexa and Google do not report on the instant-read probe.

Summary

The Fireboard Spark appears to be a solid little device, exhibiting none of the early problems experienced by the Fireboard 2 and Fireboard 2 Drive models. Other than being a little awkward to to hold and manipulate when doing certain functions, it does feel good in your hand. The display is large and easy to read. The Fireboard App gives you a lot of information in addition to what you get on the Spark. All in all, it is a very nice device.

However, with all its different functions, the Fireboard Spark is certainly an unusual beast. It provides an instant-read thermometer, and external probe thermometer, an NFC reader and a remote display for other Fireboard devices. But how attractive are these functions individually? For example, would we buy a Fireboard Spark if it were only:

• An instant-read thermometer? No, we'd buy a Thermoworks Thermapen One. It's more accurate and faster than the Spark. It's far less expensive as well. We bought our Thermapen ONE on sale for less than $90.
• A single leave-in probe thermometer? There must be dozens of thermometers available with multiple probes and remote monitoring. A Flameboss thermometer with 2 probes is only $49.
• A remote monitor for Fireboard devices? Again, no. We use our phone and really don't see the utility of the Spark as a monitor when there is so much more information available on the App.
• An NFC reader? With the current Fireboard App's implementation of an NFC reader, we don't see any use for it. You can't identify readings by tag which is the whole point of the NFC scanner. Also, you can't export the data. And if you simply want to play around with an NFC reader, there's almost certainly one in your smart phone.

So the real question is whether this odd combination of functions would make the Spark useful to you and worth the money. Obviously only you can decide that.

Availability

Fireboard Products are available from their web site, and some online retailers.

Contact Information

FireBoard Labs
3305 Terrace St, Suite 100
Kansas City, MO 64111

(816) 945-2232

Email: info@fireboard.com
Web: www.fireboard.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fireboardlabs