Streamlight ProTac HL-X vs Streamlight ProTac 2L-X
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Quick take: The Streamlight ProTac 2L-X costs $15 less; the Streamlight ProTac HL-X is brighter (1,000 vs 500 lm); the Streamlight ProTac HL-X throws farther (332m vs 237m); the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X runs longer on high (2.5 vs 1.5 hrs).
| Spec | Streamlight ProTac HL-X | Streamlight ProTac 2L-X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $65 | $50 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Tactical | Tactical |
| Lumens | 1,000 lm | 500 lm |
| Candela | 27,600 cd | 14,000 cd |
| Beam distance | 332m | 237m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | CR123A |
| LED | CREE C4 LED | CREE C4 LED |
| Beam type | Balanced | Balanced |
| Modes | 3 Stepped | 3 Stepped |
| UI | TEN-TAP | TEN-TAP |
| IP rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| CRI | 70 | 70 |
| Weight | 5.6 oz | 3.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.4 x 1.4 in | 5.2 x 1.1 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
What owners report
Streamlight ProTac HL-X
- ✓Measured output exceeded the claimed figure by a good margin
- ✓Tail switch offers momentary, constant-on and programmable modes
- ✓Dual fuel: two CR123As or the rechargeable SL-B26 pack
- ✓Around 328 yards of reach from a 1,000-lumen light
- ✓Streamlight's long-standing reputation for dependability
- ✗One owner reported it flickering off under recoil after ~300 rounds
- ✗Uncomfortably hot to hold after more than three minutes
- ✗Heavier than several competing lights
- ✗No high-CRI option
- ✗The rechargeable pack is proprietary to Streamlight
Streamlight ProTac 2L-X
- ✓Runs on two CR123As or a single 18650, with better runtime from the 18650
- ✓One owner reports three and a half years of hard use with no wear
- ✓Light for its durability, resisting both impact and water
- ✓Streamlight's warranty and reputation behind it
- ✓Wide beam pattern suits close-range work well
- ✗Output drops after fifteen minutes and settles around 350 lumens, not 500
- ✗Scattered reports of flickering and failing to switch on with fresh cells
- ✗One owner's dimming issue only resolved by using a genuine Streamlight cell
- ✗The wide beam wastes the output at distance
- ✗No high-CRI option