Sparx BEAM, Sparx Sharpener 3

Last updated: March 9, 2024

The Sparx BEAM represents an interesting leap in skate sharpening tech, offering an "integrated sharpening experience" paired with the Sparx Sharpener 3. It serves the function of the traditional Sparx Edge Checker while also playing a role in sharpener calibration. Some may see BEAM as a mere upgrade over the edge checker, but it's more than that. It ships included with the Sparx Sharpener 3, and based on my experience, you won't need an edge checker as a backup. If you own the Sharpener 2 or the ES100, BEAM will still work, but the overall benefits are less clear.

I used the ES100 for years before selling it, I've unboxed and setup the Sharpener 2, and I now have the Sparx Sharpener 3. If you're new to Sparx, start by checking out my review here. Or watch the video review first:

With BEAM, you'll want to update the firmware via the Sparx mobile app. This ensures you're equipped with the latest functionalities. You will also have an update for the sharpener itself. My BEAM firmware was 1.0.7.0 at the time of this review.

Sparx BEAM Case & Accessories

BEAM comes with a wireless charging pad, a blade thickness gauge, a charging cable, a microfiber cloth, and comes packed into a zipper case. It's best to store BEAM in this case as it won't fit too nicely in the Sparx Travel Case. The charging process is straightforward, with LED indicators providing a clear status when charged or complete. I would have preferred to charge via USB C directly into the device itself, so hopefully we see that in the future. The charging pad feels cheaply built, but otherwise, BEAM feels relatively premium. Priced at $249.99 USD, it's one of the most expensive Sparx accessories.

Sparx BEAM vs. Sparx Edge Checker

I tested BEAM against the Edge Checker to ensure its accuracy, as it initially provided suspiciously low error readings. The good news? Its accuracy is as good as promised, so if you are picky about your edges, I found this extremely trustworthy when using the Sparx app, where you can view the error readings. From a calibration standpoint, I've found the recommendations for adjusting the sharpener are solid as well. My Sharpener 3 came factory-aligned and was extremely accurate, but after some intentional testing where I forced the machine out of calibration, BEAM was fairly close in bringing it back to factory calibration. The advantage over the Edge Checker is the accuracy, but I find myself not completely in love with BEAM yet. And I'm still wondering if I'll get there.

Using BEAM with the Sparx Hockey App

The user experience of the Sparx app doesn't feel especially intuitive. And I'm finding some inconsistencies with how the app tracks the number of sharpening cycles and the sharpening log. This is something I'll continue to test and I will provide an update before the start of the 2024 hockey season. You can use BEAM without connecting it to the app, but I find it's best to connect. If you don't, you are only getting the green-yellow-red indicators from BEAM. In contrast, using the Edge Checker actually gives you slightly more information than BEAM does when not using the app. There are other small inconveniences as well – although the need to charge is infrequent, you do need to make sure it has some battery. If traveling with your sharpener, BEAM is considerably larger than the Edge Checker (which would fit in your soft travel case). And using BEAM to check your blades is slightly slower than using the Edge Checker. You will notice this most when sharpening many pairs at a time, like I do.

Sparx BEAM - Final Verdict (for now...)

In conclusion, if you are a Sharpener 3 owner, use BEAM, embrace it, and skip an Edge Checker. It's trustworthy from an accuracy standpoint and it comes included. If you own a Sharpener 2 or ES100, and you already have an edge checker, I would pass on BEAM unless you enjoy trying new tech. The biggest benefit of the Sparx Sharpener 3 paired with BEAM is that the barrier to entry is low... you don't need to know that much about skate sharpening. If you already own a previous-generation sharpener and you're used to operating it, then the benefits of BEAM are less valuable.

Conway + Banks

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