Who Makes The Best (Budget) Rifle lights?

Published on February 24, 2024
Duration: 9:15

This review compares budget-friendly rifle lights from Streamlight, focusing on the Protac Rail Mount HL-X Pro, Protac 2.0 Rail Mount, and older HL-X models, alongside the HRT AWLS. The Protac HL-X Pro is identified as the best budget option due to its balanced performance, focused beam (50,000 Candela), and competitive pricing, outperforming the higher lumen but less focused Protac 2.0 and performing comparably to the more expensive HRT AWLS in many scenarios. The review highlights the importance of Candela for throw and hotspot definition in rifle applications.

Quick Summary

The Streamlight Protac Rail Mount HL-X Pro is the top budget rifle light, offering 1,000 lumens and 50,000 Candela for a focused beam and good throw. It outperforms the high-lumen but unfocused Protac 2.0 and provides comparable performance to more expensive options like the HRT AWLS, making it an excellent value for tactical applications.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Streamlight Rifle Lights
  2. 00:11Streamlight Rail Mount HL-X (Older Model)
  3. 00:30Streamlight Protac Rail Mount HL-X Pro Deep Dive
  4. 00:46Streamlight Protac 2.0 Rail Mount Analysis
  5. 01:06HRT AWLS as a High-Performance Reference
  6. 01:30Form Factor and Size Comparison
  7. 01:48Switch Options and Durability
  8. 02:33Tape Switch Failure and Backup Solutions
  9. 03:17Performance Testing Methodology
  10. 03:56Low Light Performance: Protac 2.0 vs. Others
  11. 04:53Old HL-X Performance at 100 Yards
  12. 05:05Protac HL-X Pro vs. HRT AWLS Performance
  13. 05:35Performance Against Photonic Barriers (20 Yards)
  14. 06:01Performance Against High Beams (50 Yards)
  15. 07:19Overall Recommendation: Best Budget Light
  16. 08:35Upgrading Older HL-X Models
  17. 08:53Final Verdict on Protac HL-X Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best budget rifle light according to the review?

The Streamlight Protac Rail Mount HL-X Pro is identified as the best budget rifle light. It offers a strong balance of 1,000 lumens and 50,000 Candela, providing a focused beam suitable for rifle applications at a competitive price point.

How does the Streamlight Protac 2.0 Rail Mount perform compared to other budget lights?

The Protac 2.0 Rail Mount has high lumen output (2,000) but low Candela (17,000), resulting in a wide, unfocused beam with poor throw. This makes it less effective for identifying targets at distance compared to lights with better focus, like the Protac HL-X Pro.

What is the importance of Candela for rifle lights?

Candela measures the intensity of light in the center of the beam, indicating its focus and throw. For rifle applications, higher Candela is crucial for identifying targets at longer distances (e.g., 100 yards) and defining a clear hotspot, often being more important than raw lumen output.

Are older Streamlight HL-X lights still viable?

Older Streamlight HL-X models are reliable and durable, having survived extensive use. However, their tape switches can fail over time. Upgrading to a new 'Jack Cap' can provide a dual-function tail switch with a backup push-button, enhancing usability.

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