Modern firearms require modern accessories. Well, maybe they don’t require them, but they can sure make your gun more user-friendly. A weapon light is a basic accessory that’s usually the first thing I hang on a new gun, depending on that gun’s purpose. I’ve often turned to Streamlight because they make quality products for a price that doesn’t make me choke on my beverage of choice. So, it was natural to check out the Streamlight ProTac HL-X for a recent AR-15 project.
Proven Design
This light isn’t my first ProTac HL-X. I’ve been running the non-laser model on my Grey Ghost Precision AR since 2018. It’s lightweight and reliable, and the pressure switch works intuitively for me. And the maximum 1,000 lumens/27,600 candela gets the job done. I was confident this new ProTac HL-X would likewise be the right choice for our new Aero Precision setup. We’ve had this rifle for several years, but it was just the standard M-4 clone with the A2 front sight post and Plain Jane handguard with no accessory capability. It was fun, but nothing special other than being a good quality rifle.
My son was the impetus for upgrading this rifle, and it’s actually his gun. We started by removing the front sight post and installing a Wilson Combat M-LOK handguard. We’ve done other stuff too, which I’ll write about later, but the first thing we attached was the ProTac HL-X. Like I said, we’ve been running something from that line for a while, so we just grabbed the new model, albeit with a laser, just because.
Streamlight ProTac HL-X Light/Laser Specifications
The ProTac HL-X is “multi-fuel” capable, meaning it can run on standard CR123A lithium batteries, or Streamlight’s proprietary SL-B26 protected Li-Ion USB rechargeable battery pack. Our light shipped with the rechargeable battery pack, so that’s what we’ve been using. It comes with its own USB cord that plugs directly into the battery. The light’s specs are determined by setting and by which battery option the user chooses, so, with that in mind…
- The ProTac HL-X features Streamlight’s TEN-TAP programming option, allowing the user to set the light for high/strobe/low; high only; or low/high.
- High setting: 1,000 lumens; 270 meter beam distance; 1.25 hours (CR123A); 1.5 hours (SL-B26)
- Low setting: 60 lumens; 66 meter beam distance; 20 hours (CR123A); 23 hours (SL-B26)
- Strobe: 2.5 hours (CR123A); 3.25 hours (SL-B26)
- Maximum Candela: 18,200
- Length: 6.56 inches
- Weight: 10.8 ounces
- Picatinny rail compatible
- Anodized aluminum construction with impact-resistant tempered glass lens
- IPX4 rated for water-resistant operation
Other Features
One thing I like about the Streamlight ProTac line is that they’re easy to attach. The “rail grabber” is beefy and locks on tight. Streamlight calls the oversized, textured tightening implement a “thumbscrew,” and you can indeed tighten it that way. But my experience has shown that it doesn’t stay tight for long when you’re at the range. I use a pair of channel locks to make sure since my light falling off the rail doesn’t work for me. But it’s still easy, either way.
The Pro-Tac HL-X ships with two tail caps. One is attached to the pressure switch, which we use on both ProTac-equipped rifles. The other does not have the wire, instead allowing the shooter to directly push the buttons as on a normal flashlight. There’s a separate button for the laser. I like that option, even if I haven’t used it other than to make certain it worked. You could use this light as a handheld if you wanted. The tail caps are textured and easily manipulated.
The pressure switch attaches to your rail, wherever you want it, as other pressure switches do. The light ships with retaining clips and double-sided tape for the switch, and zip ties for the cord, which is nice.
Running the ProTac HL-X
As I noted before, the ProTac’s controls are very intuitive for me. The pressure switch is tactile and responsive, and my thumb moves right to it. It responds to constant pressure, the removal of which turns the light off. A separate, easily reached button turns the light on until you switch it off the same way.
The ProTac HL-X that I’ve been running for a while is noticeably lighter than our new version (6.4 ounces vs. 10.8 ounces). That’s because the newer one also includes a laser. So, if saving weight is your thing, you may or may not want a laser. We got this one because lasers are cool. No other real reason.
Performance-wise, the ProTac HL-X is bright. Really bright. 1,000 lumens and 18,200 candelas will light up your house like a supernova. Sometimes, depending on your paint color, the presence of mirrors, etc., it’s too much. It can straight up blind you momentarily, leaving spots before your eyes. My advice is to set your switch to change between high and low. Whether you throw strobe into the mix is up to you. It can be very disorienting to an intruder, as can hitting him in the face with 1,000 lumens. But the low setting is useful too, as it saves battery life and makes reflection much easier on the user. And it doesn’t require a ton of practice to get the setting sequence down once you’ve set it. Better to give yourself options other than running on “high” all the time.
We’ve run the light outside too, and you can see a long way on the high setting, with a good field of coverage. Of course, lights also make you a target, so learn to use your light sparingly and purposefully. It’s not a great idea to just walk around in a self-defense situation with your light on. Think about how you want to use it, and in what situations, and practice that way. Low light and no light training isn’t a bad idea, if you can find it. We took some photos of the light’s performance, both inside and outside. I haven’t included them because, frankly, the photos weren’t all that great. I don’t really possess the equipment or skill for effective night photography. All I can tell you is that the light does a great job.
You should also think about how you want to use the laser. I said we got it because lasers are cool, and that’s true, but do they serve a purpose? To me, a laser is mainly for if I can’t get a properly aimed shot, with the rifle at my shoulder, looking down the sights. A properly zeroed laser means you can still get your rifle on target in a tough situation. The laser operates along with the light when using the pressure switch. The push button tail cap operates the light and laser separately. So, if you don’t want them combined, you may want to use the second tail cap.
Streamlight Quality
Streamlight has built a reputation for quality products, without charging premium prices like some other companies. I appreciate them for that. I own several Streamlight products, and they’ve all performed admirably. I’ve knocked them around, gotten them hot, gotten them cold, covered them with muzzle residue or mud, and they’ve done nothing but run.
So, if you’re in the market for a quality weapon light that won’t cost you your whole next paycheck, maybe give this one a try. The ProTac HL-X is also available without the laser, so you have that option. I’ve always been pleased with Streamlights, including this one. Bet you will be too.
