Streamlight Protac HP-X
Weaponlight Review
Weapon lights are something that I believe everyone should have on a long gun. There are various types and styles on the market today. They range from high lumen - low candela to high candela - low lumen. They all have different purposes. Streamlight has come out with a higher candela weapon light with a slightly lower lumen. That light is the ProTac Rail Mount HP-X Pro.
Streamlight’s new HP-X is designed as a high lumen light. On High, Streamilight specs out a candela of 105,000 and a lumen rating of 800. This gives you, the user, a light that projects a narrower beam farther. However, having that lower lumen number makes the spill smaller. A smaller spill gives you less light close up. The HP-X still lights up stuff close and it does it well, it is just made primarily for distance. With the HP-X’s beam pattern, you can light up and identify targets at a much longer distance. The beam distance specification is stated as 648 meters. I could easily make out objects at 300 yards.
When you buy the ProTac Rail Mount HP-X kit, you get all the stuff needed to run the light. This is a real bonus in my opinion. The kit includes a 45 degree M-Lok mount, a pressure switch, wire management, zip ties, mounting tape, and a usb cord. The pressure switch is a momentary “on” style. It does not have a switch to keep the light on. However, the HP-X uses Streamlight’s “Jack-Cap” tailcap on the light. This tailcap lets you plug in the pressure pad and still have a button for use. So essentially, you get the best of both worlds. The tail cap button can be used in the momentary or click configurations. All this included stuff makes the HP-X a great deal.
Since the HP-X is made by Streamlight, it features their ten tap programming. Essentially, you tap the tailcap ten times and then it takes you to the programming mode. The HP-X has 3 different modes available: High/Strobe, High only, and Low/High. When operating the weapon light on the High/Strobe, tap the tailcap (or click) it once for high and then quickly again for strobe. The Low/High also works the same way. This extends over to the pressure pad too, press it twice quickly for Strobe, or High, depending on which mode you have the light in.
One feature, that I think is a must in any weapon light, is having the ability to use different types of batteries. The HP-X is Multi-Fuel. This means it can use the supplied SL-B26 USB rechargeable battery or 2 CR123 batteries. I also found that the HP-X will work with a 18650 style battery, even if Streamlight doesn’t mention it. Run times with the CR123’s is a little less, but I expect that. Run times on the HP-X with the SL-B26 battery are: High - 2 hours, Low - 26 hours, and Strobe - 2.5 hours. These are pretty standard for these types of weapon lights.
Light at Dusk
Night, Target stands at 50, 100, & 200 yds
Everyone needs a good mounting platform, aka rifle, for their weapon light. I didn’t hesitate to mount the Streamlight HP-X on the Global Monolith so I could put it through testing. The HP-X mounted up smoothly with the supplied M-Lok mount. If you don’t like the supplied mount, any “scout mount” can be used. I really like that the HP-X uses a readily available mount. Then the pressure pad went on with the zip ties. Followed by one of the rail management pieces. The system looks smooth. I used this light a bunch around the house to see how I liked it inside. Even though the HP-X is a long throw light, it still lit up rooms pretty good. If you have a place to reflect the light off of, like a light colored wall, it works a little better. The strength of the HP-X is the high candela. Outside the light shines for some distance. I could identify targets at 200 yards with ease. Another advantage to high lumens is the ability for the weapon light to punch through photonic barriers. Those barriers would include things like smoke, fog, or even other lights. I found the pressure switch to work nicely. The button on the rear tailcap works nice too, at least if the pressure switch is not plugged in. The plug for the pressure switch can get in the way of using the button. This is really my only fault with the light. This problem was really noticeable when running some drills with the light. Otherwise, I was happy with how the light itself performed
The Streamlight ProTac HP-X Pro is a nice weapon light. Especially if you want a light with more distance or need something to punch through some photonic barriers. At a street price of around $160 you really can’t go wrong with the HP-X. If you need that do everything type of light, the Streamlight ProTac HP-X Pro just might be it.
Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points
Claim to Fame:
High Candela, long throw weapon light
Target Market:
Anyone wanting a higher candela weapon mounted light
Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:
Multi-Fuel: Uses (1) Streamlight SL-B26 protected Li-Ion USB rechargeable battery pack or 18650; also accepts (2) CR123A lithium batteries
TEN-TAP Programming allows for selection of three different operating programs:
1) high/strobe 2) high only 3) low/high
High: 800 lumens; 105,000 candela; 648m beam distance; runs 2 hours (SL-B26); runs 1.5 hours (CR123A)
Low: 55 lumens; 7,600 candela; 174m beam distance; runs 26 hours (SL-B26); runs 18 hours (CR123A)
Strobe: runs 3.5 hours (SL-B26); runs 2.5 hours (CR123A)
High Lumens: 800
Beam Distance: 648 meters
Max Candela: 105,000
Battery Type: SL-B26 Rechargeable Battery Pack, CR123A Lithium, or standard 18650
Length: 5.63 inches (14.30 centimeters)
Weight: 6.40 ounces (181.44 grams) - 7.00 ounces (198.45 grams)
Includes remote switch, picatinny and M-Lok mounts, cable management, and mounting hardware
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Light only
What others are saying?:
Bright light
Wow this is a handy little tactical light with a beam that cuts through the dark, smoke, fog etc. Nice beam that has a strong column of center light and provides a wide peripheral viewing that allows you to light up a whole room when performing tactical maneuvers.
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $266.00
Retail = Around $160.00
I need it now! Availability:
Primary Arms, Brownells, or Optics Planet
Our Rating:
Pros:
Good light throw
Decent light spill
10 tap programming
Comes with everything needed
Dual fuel - SL-26B or 2x CR123’s
Can use standard 18650 batteries
Cons:
Tail switch is hard to get to when pressure switch is plugged in
Doesn’t use standard plugs for pressure switch
Score: 8.00 Great
Favorite Link: Global Ordnance Monolith Review
