The ProTac HL-X is one of several tactical hand-held lights introduced by in 2018 that offers the user the ability to use two different power sources, while still providing 1,000 lumens. The ProTac HL-X, by Streamlight, is also offered as a rail-mounted weapon light that can be mounted to any picatinny rail and comes with a remote switch.
The ProTac HL-X body is made from 6000 Series, aircraft-grade aluminum housing that ensures the light has a robust ability to withstand heavy usage. It features a tailcap switch control that allows the operator to select between the “ten-tap” preprogrammed HIGH/STROBE/LOW, HIGH, or LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH modes. The exterior body includes a pocket light made from anodized aluminum for added strength.
Light output for the ProTac HL-X measures at 1,000 lumens (or 27,600 candela) on HIGH or 60 lumens (or 1,600 candela) on LOW. Its narrow beam has a peripheral illumination that reaches 332 meters on HIGH, or 80 meters on LOW before dispersal. C4 LED technology gives the ProTac HL-X light element a 50,000-hour lifetime, and is impervious to shock. In front of the optic, the light has Borofloat glass designed to withstand a high degree of heat and impact/abrasion resistance.
Power for the ProTac HL-X is provided in one of two ways: with Streamlight’s rechargeable 18650 USB battery (with an integrated micro USB port), or two CR123A lithium batteries. On HIGH, the CR123 power source will provide a runtime of 1.25 hours or runtime, or the 18650 USB battery will give 1.5 hours. In all other programming functions (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH/STROBE) the 18650 battery will give a slightly longer runtime.
The ProTac HL-X has an overall measurement of 5.43” (L) x 1.44” (W) x 1” (H) and an operating range between -40 degrees Fahrenheit, to 120 degrees. With the standard tailcap, the ProTac HL-X has passed the Immersion Water Test (IPX7) and is rated waterproof up to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The Streamlight ProTac HL-X is only available in Black (featured).
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): At an MSRP of approximately $86, the ProTac HL-X is available at a number of primary and secondary retailers—often for slightly less. The ProTac HL-X’s high strength aluminum body and long-life light element offers Streamlight’s legacy of durable EDC/tactical hand-held lights at an inexpensive cost. In comparison, other market alternatives include Surefire’s E2D Defender at 1k lumens ($199), or Inforce’s TFx at 700 lumens ($64) that demonstrate the ProTac HL-X is appropriately (or of average) placement on the market. Consistently Streamlight has produced quality illumination devices at market prices that challenge its competitors, and the ProTac HL-X is no exception for its quality materials and construction.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): The overall length and diameter of the ProTac HL-X allowed the hand-held light to comfortably sit in the hand with sufficient size sticking out on either end (to still be used as an impact weapon if needed). The tailcap also held a tangible and audible click that readily identified when the light was actioned. The 1k lumens was a bit bright for indoor work, specifically if the interior walls are white and cause light to reflect, but outdoors the light level worked well and flooded the viewable area with workable light.
- Durability – Good (4/5): With a housing made entirely from aircraft-grade aluminum, the ProTac HL-X had a durability level comparable to the leading market competitor—Surefire. This ensured regardless of how the ProTac HL-X was used, for daily or duty use, it still held a high-degree of impact resistance. Another feature tested was the Borofloat glass by striking it and the light’s bezel with a loaded pistol magazine 10x before drills. This neither impacted the ability of the ProTac HL-X to function, damage the front-end glass, or damage the LED element. The main housing (on both ends) had a rubber O-ring that ensured maximum resistance to moisture penetration. The attached duty clip felt a little thin, but still retained positive connection to the light’s housing.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): From a functional aspect, the ProTac HL-X is much like the Rail Mount HL-X and other Streamlight products with the ability to select between HIGH/LOW functions and STROBE thanks to its “TEN TAP” pre-programming. It was a little tricky to get the 10 clicks and select the next cycle program, but manageable. This gave the ProTac HL-X an added function over its competitors, which only have a single throw switch between ON and/or STROBE settings. This added functionality to select between either a LOW or HIGH/LOW beam will prolong battery life at the lower power settings. The ProTac HL-X had an anti-roll head that was able to keep the light from rolling away if the surface was slightly tilted. In addition, the tailcap was flat and wide enough the ProTac HL-X could be stood on its end when needed. Both were functional features that added to the light’s applicability.
- Weight – Average (3/5): The weight of the ProTac HL-X varies based on the power source used. At an overall weight of 5.43 ounces (for the CR123), or 6.20 ounces (with the 18650 USB battery), either option still keeps the overall weight of the handheld light within reason. In comparison, the E2D Defender (4.2 ounces), or the TFx (3.75 ounces) demonstrate the differences in weight as it relates to materials used in the light’s housing. Since the ProTac HL-X is made from a high-strength aluminum it tends to the heavier side of the weight scale and was the heaviest of those competitor lights noted.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://www.streamlight.com/en/products/detail/index/protac-hl-x
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