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 Buick 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.
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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 multifuel light that can be powered by two CR123A or the included 18650 USB battery that provides the highest performance. Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
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.
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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.
The battery’s LED will shine red while charging is in progress then turn green when the battery is fully charged.
Operators are increasingly choosing shorter and lighter platforms over the more traditional fullsized 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. Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
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.
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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.
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.
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
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