Streamlight ProTac HL-X 1000 Lumen Rifle Light

The Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X is the light that earned a reputation as the best value in rifle lights, and it's still the answer when someone wants real weapon-light performance without paying weapon-light money. It puts out 1,000 lumens at 50,000 candela, throwing a usable beam to roughly 447 meters, with enough peripheral spill to light up a room and enough center punch to identify a target at distance. For a duty rifle, a home-defense carbine, or a truck gun, it does the job most shooters need a light to do.

It's dual fuel, which is a big part of the value. Run it on the included Streamlight SL-B26 rechargeable battery for the convenience of USB charging, or drop in two CR123A lithium primaries when you want shelf-stable power that's ready after months in storage. That flexibility means you're never stuck, charge it for everyday use, keep CR123As in the kit for when the grid's down. Runtime on high is about 1.25 hours on CR123A and 1.75 hours on the SL-B26, with a low mode that stretches past 20 hours when you don't need full output.

Mounting and switching are handled out of the box. It has an integrated rail clamp for MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails plus an included M-LOK mount, so it fits most modern handguards without buying an adapter. It ships with both a push-button tailcap and a remote pressure switch, so you can run it however you like, thumb the tailcap or mount the tape switch where your support hand sits. Streamlight's TEN-TAP programming lets you choose the operating sequence (high/strobe, high-only, or low/high) so the light behaves the way you want.

One honest spec note worth knowing: the light is IPX7 waterproof with the standard push-button tailcap installed, but the rating drops to IP54 (water-resistant, not submersible) when you run the remote pressure switch instead. That's normal for tape-switch setups across brands, but if true submersion matters to you, run the tailcap. The body is anodized aluminum with a tempered glass lens. Browse the rest of our weapon lights and switches here.

HL-X vs the SureFire Scout Lights

The honest comparison: the ProTac HL-X delivers most of the performance of a premium light at a fraction of the price, and for a lot of users that's exactly the right call. Where the SureFire M640U and the M640DF Dual Fuel Scout pull ahead is in beam quality, build refinement, and the deep SureFire switch ecosystem. If you want the best and you'll use it hard, the SureFire is worth it. If you want a light that performs and won't hurt to lose or beat up, the HL-X punches well above its price. Both light up what you need to see.

Kit It Out

Keep a few CR123A lithium batteries on hand as backup fuel so you're never down. If you want to reposition the light on your handguard, the Arisaka inline M-LOK mount gives you a clean, low-profile placement. For a pistol light from the same family, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X carries the HL-X performance to a handgun.

Key Features

• 1,000 lumens, 50,000 candela. Long-range beam with strong peripheral spill, ~447m reach.
• Dual fuel. Included SL-B26 USB rechargeable or two CR123A primaries.
• Two mounts included. Integrated Picatinny clamp plus an M-LOK mount.
• Two switches included. Push-button tailcap and remote pressure switch in the box.
• TEN-TAP programming. Choose high/strobe, high-only, or low/high.
• Tough and proven. Anodized aluminum, tempered glass lens, field-tested value.

Specs

• High output: 1,000 lumens, 50,000 candela, ~447m beam
• Low output: 60 lumens, ~111m beam
• Runtime (high): ~1.25 hrs (CR123A) / ~1.75 hrs (SL-B26)
• Runtime (low): ~21 hrs (CR123A) / ~24 hrs (SL-B26)
• Battery: One SL-B26 rechargeable (included) or two CR123A lithium
• Mount: Integrated MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny clamp + included M-LOK mount
• Switching: Push-button tailcap + remote pressure switch (both included)
• Programming: TEN-TAP (three selectable programs)
• Water rating: IPX7 with tailcap / IP54 with remote switch installed
• Body: Anodized aluminum, tempered glass lens
• Length: ~5.4 in
• Weight: ~6.4 oz

FAQ

What does "dual fuel" mean here?
The light runs on either the included Streamlight SL-B26 USB-rechargeable battery or two CR123A lithium primaries. Charge it for daily use, or keep CR123As on hand as shelf-stable backup that's ready after long storage.

Does it fit M-LOK or only Picatinny?
Both. It has an integrated clamp for MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails and includes an M-LOK mount, so it fits most modern handguards without buying an adapter.

Does it come with a pressure switch?
Yes. It ships with both a push-button tailcap and a remote pressure switch, so you can run whichever you prefer right out of the box.

Is it waterproof?
It's IPX7 (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes) with the push-button tailcap installed. With the remote pressure switch installed instead, the rating is IP54 (water-resistant, not submersible). Run the tailcap if you need full submersion.

How does it compare to a SureFire?
The HL-X gives you most of the real-world performance of a premium light for a fraction of the cost. A SureFire Scout pulls ahead in beam quality, build, and switch options. If you want the best, go SureFire; if you want strong performance at a great price, the HL-X is one of the best values out there.