FOG HORN Aug 2019

Twobirds Flying Publications

Streamlight ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser USB

Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Streamlight ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser USB
Streamlight ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X
Laser USB
By: Sal Palma
No carbine is complete without a light and
aiming laser accessory, but until recently, in
order to meet that objective, your weapon
needed to end up looking like a 1953 Packard
Caribbean. Not only did you end up losing
precious rail real estate, you also had to have a
drug store array of batteries and ended up
turning a 7 lb. weapon system into a 12 lb. load.
A number of companies recognized the need to
consolidate without sacrificing performance so
we saw a number of suppliers provide laser /
light weapon mounted accessories. These
offerings evolved into tactical weapon mounted
lights with integrated aiming lasers. Companies
like Streamlight, of Eagleville, PA, went to work
to reduce the accessory foot print on the
mounting rail, introducing its TLR-8 and TLR-8 G
offerings. Now, in 2019, Streamlight has
introduced a long gun, high output ProTac®
Rail-Mount HL-X with integrated aiming laser,
and USB rechargeable. The offering delivers a
professional level of performance, consolidation
and power supply flexibility.
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2019
The ProTac® Rail-Mount HL-X is a robust long
gun weapon mounted light. On High, the light
generates a 1000 lumen beam capable of
illuminating every nook and cranny with a
tightly focused beam and abundance of
peripheral light.
Users familiar with the ProTac line won’t need
to retrain. New users will appreciate the lights
Ten-Tap® programming feature. Three modes
are available:
1. High for maximum illumination: 1,000
lumens; 270m beam; runs .75 hours
(CR123A batteries); runs 1.25 hours
(18650 USB battery)
2. Low for extended run time: 60 lumens;
66m beam; runs 20 hours (CR123A
batteries); runs 23 hours (18650 USB
battery)
3. Strobe for signaling or disorienting: runs
2.5 hours (CR123A batteries); runs 3.25
hours (18650 USB battery)
Selecting a mode, is done by tapping the tail cap
switch ten times in rapid succession and holding
on the tenth tap. The light will flash and move
to the next mode then turns off. You’re now in
the next available mode.
The ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser is a multi-
fuel light that can be powered by two CR123A
or the included 18650 USB battery that provides
the highest performance.
 Streamlight ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser USB
To recharge the battery simply remove it from
the light’s body and connect it to any USB
charging port; it also features a visual charge
indicator. Streamlight offers the light in two
configurations one that ships with two CR123A
batteries or, at a slightly higher price, the
rechargeable lithium battery.
The battery’s LED will shine red while charging
is in progress then turn green when the battery
is fully charged.
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2019
The ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser is not a small
light; its overall length of 6.25 inches takes up a
considerable amount of rail space, so if you’re
operating with a short barreled rifle, it may be
an issue, but on a full-size carbine, the light
does extremely well. I found the rail clamp to be
extremely robust and secure. Once installed,
rest assured it is going nowhere. Another very
nice feature of the rail clamp is that it allows for
rotation of the light without the need to re-zero
the aiming laser.
The light ships with a long gun tape switch and
a tail cap pushbutton arrangement. Both allow
continuous or momentary activation of the
light. However, Streamlight should consider a
minor modification to its long gun tape switch.
Operators are increasingly choosing shorter and
lighter platforms over the more traditional full-
sized carbines. As it exists today, the long gun
tape switch takes up quite a bit of rail space and
there’s no real need for that. I like the
continuous/momentary feature but the tape
could be shortened substantially without
impeding efficient operation of the light/laser.
 Streamlight ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser USB
If you are using a short platform you’ll want to
use the excellent tail cap activation switch.
At the heart of its tightly focused beam is the
ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser’s highly polished
and perfectly shaped reflector along with a
clear tempered glass lens. I was not able to
observe diffraction of the red laser and it was
every bit as tight as any of the dedicated lasers I
had on hand.
The laser is adjustable for wind and elevation.
An interesting observation I’d like to share is
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2019
that most set setscrews used to adjust a laser’s
point of aim seem flimsy, with the slightest
movement resulting in large changes;
Streamlight uses industrial strength
adjustments to ensure no shift under recoil.
Streamlight’s ProTac®Rail-Mount HL-X Laser
USB is a professional grade weapon mounted
accessory. Everything from its anodized
aluminum construction to the impact-resistant
tempered glass lens is designed for duty use.
Streamlight has addressed a number of issues
with the introduction of this tactical light:
consolidation of accessories in a lightweight and
rechargeable package. At an M.S.R.P of $275,
and a considerably lower street price, you won’t
find a better deal for your kit, agency or
department.
I’d love to see a “G” version of this light.
-SP
Manufacturer Specification
 High Lumens 1,000
 Run Time 22.00 hours
 Beam Distance 270 meters
 Max Candela 18,200
 Battery TypeCR123A Lithium, 18650
Lithium Ion Battery
 Battery Quantity 1 - 2
 Length 6.25 inches (15.88 centimeters)
 Weight 10.80 ounces (306.17 grams)
 Colors Black