FOG HORN 2017

Twobirds Flying Publication

Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X.

Copyright 2017, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

 Streamlight ProTac HL USB Headlamp.
2017

Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X. Streamlight amps up the ProTac

Rail Mount light to a whopping 1000 lumens.

By: Sal Palma batteries or a CR123A. Version 1 has a rated

output of 40-350 lumens. Version 2 uses a
single power source in the form of a CR123A
and features a rated output of 60-625 lumens.
In comes Godzilla!

The ProTac Rail Mount HL-X, (HL for High

Lumens) retains all of the rail mount
functionality of its predecessors but its been
amped up to 1000 lumens of brilliant white
light. So, why do you need a 1000 lumen light?

Thats an interesting question as Im usually

very cautious with high output weapon lights, in
particular with lights offering fixed outputs. I
Streamlight launched its ProTac Rail Mount cant tell you how many times Ive impaired my
product line at SHOT SHOW 2016. These lights own night adapted
enjoy tremendous success. At the heart of that vision running a high
success is Streamlights secret sauce which output light in a
combines quality of build and brilliant design all room clearing drill.
at a price you can afford - to borrow from Rico The reflection off a
of Miami Vice fame. wall will absolutely
zap your night
There is a couple of old and hackneyed vision. However,
proverbs suggesting that one shouldnt argue 1000 lumens are
with success and if its not broken dont fix it, very handy when
such is the case with the ProTac Rail Mount searching a warehouse, or as you egress into
weapon lights introduced in 2016. However, the the great outdoors where you can definitely use
company is not one to stand still and at the all of its substantial illumination. Therein lies
2017 Shot Show, in Las Vegas, they introduced a the beauty of the ProTac Rail Mount design
dual fuel 1000 lumen ProTac Rail Mount HL-X with its TEN-TAP Programming.

The original ProTac Rail Mount lights are The HL-X ships with three user selectable
available in two flavors, the ProTac Rail Mount 1 programs: high only, low/high and high/strobe
and 2. Version 1 was a dual fuel design; users (the factory default). Activating the light in its
had the choice of using AA lithium or alkaline factory default floods your area with a

Copyright 2017, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

 Streamlight ProTac HL USB Headlamp.
whopping 1000 lumens, which may not be what
you need at the moment. Using Streamlights
Ten-Tap Programming feature, an operator can
cycle to a more favorable illumination mode; for
example, I prefer the low/high program for all-
around use. Accessing the different programs is
as simple as depressing the tail cap switch 10
times in rapid succession and holding on the
tenth tap until the light turns off.
Streamlight also gave us a dual-fuel rail mount
light that can be powered by (2) CR123A lithium
batteries or the optional 18650 rechargeable
lithium ion battery kit.
Run times are excellent but I was surprised to
see better performance from the 18650
rechargeable batteries. On high (i.e. 1,000
lumens) the CR123A power source gets you
1.25 hrs. of run time; whereas, the 18650
rechargeable battery delivers 1.5 hrs. That
delta in performance holds true in all program
modes. So, picking up the 18650 charging kit is
well worth its $18 to $25 street price.
Copyright 2017, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
2017
Like all of its ProTac Rail Mount lights,
Streamlight provides you with everything
needed to mount and operate the HL-X on a
variety of platforms.
The light ships with a remote pressure switch
that features momentary and constant on
operation. They also include an integrated rail
clamp that attaches to MIL-STD-1913 rails. The
rail clamps provide the mounting surface for the
pressure pad, so you wont need to install
Velcro, or glue your pressure switch, on your
weapon. Streamlight even provides small tie
wraps to help you tidy things up. Talk about a
turn-key solution.
One of the important differentiators when
assessing the build quality of an LED light is its
environmental sensitivity. What youll find with
several of the low end tactical lighting products
is that theyll fail at low temperatures or in hot
and wet environments.
The ProTac Rail Mount HL-X has an operating
range of -40F to +120F., and with the tail cap
activation switch install, the light is IPX7 rated,
thats a 1 meter submersion for 30 minutes. If
you are using the pressure switch cap the HL-X
is IPX4 rated.
With the introduction of the ProTac Rail Mount
HL-X, Streamlight has increased the lines
 Streamlight ProTac HL USB Headlamp.
2017
performance. There is a ProTac Rail Mount light
to meet any need. From basic to advanced
applications and everything in between,
Streamlights ProTac Rail Mount lights are just
what the doctor ordered for your rail equipped
long gun. Streamlights quality, functionality
and reliability are an industry given as is their
bang for your accessory buck!

-SP

Manufacturer Specifications

Lumens: 60.00 - 1000.00

Candela: 1600 - 27600
Range of Light (Distance): 332 meters
Runtime: 22.00 - 1.25 hours
Battery Styles: Rechargeable, Non-
Rechargeable
Battery Types: 18650 Lithium Ion
Battery, CR123A Lithium
Length: 5.430 inches (13.79
centimeters)
Weight: 6.400 ounces (181.44 grams) -
6.900 ounces (195.61 grams)
Colors: Black

Copyright 2017, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved