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I had a Brand-X Ascend on loan for a month in the summer, while my Fox Transfer was being repaired under warranty (Thank you Swinley Bike Hub). For the money I thought the Ascend worked really well, but the remote is crappy. I'd replace that asap with some thing decent like a Wolftooth ReMote.
What non racers may fail to grasp is that your legs can be so exhausted that you simply don’t have the spare strength to stand through flow sections unless you do it with locked out legs which rather negates the dropper post.
I haven't raced for a while but have done plenty in my time. Everything I have said is with a view to actual racing as that's what the OP is interested in.
For me, on flat or downhill sections my legs aren't aching generally - they recover after the climb and the terrain is the limiting factor not my legs. So the increase in speed gained from having the saddle slightly lower more than offsets the reduction in pedalling efficiency. You don't have to stand - the saddle is still there, just a touch lower. But even when sitting your CoG is significantly lower.
I also don't think it matters the size of the obstacle. as it's not about clearing obstacles or doing drops. It's about lower CoG allowing you to handle the bike through twisty bits faster. Although this may be personal - Flat singletrack is by far my quickest type of trail (relatively speaking) so perhaps it benefits me more than others.
Thanks for tipping me off about the current deal on these. Been eyeing up the Acend 2 last week with a view to buying. Just grabbed one now. Cheers! I quite fancied the ONeUp but I don't think it would work with my frame.
Still waiting for mine to be delivered as I said I'd take pics of the install. You have the same bike as me, so I bet you'll need the spare "double" cable guide inserts too. If you want to internally route it, let me know and I'll pop the guide in the post.
Personally, i'd just try one anyway. If you don't feel like you're getting the benefit of it, then just sell it on. Having come down from 150mm travel bigger bikes with droppers, I'm now on the same Spark as you.
I've ridden techy, fast and very rocky descents in the lakes without the dropper, but I was always wishing I had one!
Whacked my goolies a few times though mind!