Stream light Protac HL5-X Series for POlice Use

[Smpeluso]

I hope I put this in the proper forum...
I'm a police officer who is looking for a bright LED that also throws a long way. A fellow officer has the Streamlight Protac HL5-X light for daily patrol use. At 3500 lumens, its seems fairly bright, but I'm wondering if this is the best light that the experts here would recommend. Budget is not necessarily a concern; I would go up to $200.00.
Is there a more modern light that is brighter or am I focusing more on lumens than I should be?

thanks in advance!

 

[fivemega]

Welcome to forum.
I am not expert but I bought this and happy with.
I suggest you check elsewhere to make sure getting best deal.
BTW, 3500 lumen is when you use pair of 18650
Using 4 primary 123A will result maximum of 2500Lumens.

 

[GoVegan]

I'm reluctant to recommend Streamlight's Protac models, as I have issues with various Protacs I own, all start to flicker, they also feel very cheap.

Although I have no experience with the HL5-X, however I remember you can get higher candela and longer throw from the Stinger HPL. I think the Stinger is a better model for LE, longer runtimes too, just going by memory.

BTW the Stinger series has better accessories too, holsters and cones for traffic stops etc.

 

[bykfixer]

x2 on the Stinger. It's also better balanced up than the HL5 for less wrist fatigue if used for hours.

Thank you for helping keep us safe.

 

[StagMoose]

I was not familiar with that model so I looked it up. Stated it has a max 51,000 candela. When you asked about focusing on lumens, it is something that gives an idea of how much output there is, the candela or lux will describe how that output is used. 51,000 is fairly high suggesting a throwy light.

I have had a number of streamlights and have had issues with some and no problems with others. If I were a police officer and know what I know, I doubt I would use a streamlight. I am not saying they are bad, just that there are more robust lights available.

There are many options; Malkoff lights were all mutually started with LEO in mind and are extremely robust with a variety of outputs and options to choose from. If I were a LEO, knowing what I know, that is where I would start.

 

[CarpentryHero]

Olight m2r pro or Warrior x pro are solid work lights, simple ui, built like tanks and I believe there's a sale on Father's Day coming for some of the models

 

[Dave D]

I have the HL 5-X and like it, my biggest issue is that it only has a side switch, which in a high stress situation is going to delay you switching it on because you've got to find the switch.

I have tried it with the tail switch from a HL 4, which will work. You have to have the tail switch in the off position and the head switch in the on position, you can then switch it on or flash it as many times as you like, with the tail switch, and it will only come on in high mode. You need to use the head switch to change the modes.

The problem is that it's easy to use it for a search and then switch it off by the head switch, next time you try to switch it on by the tail switch you are turning it off, so unless you are very disciplined with it I wouldn't recommend the tail switch.

It is a shame that Streamlight didn't use the Dual Switch set up that the Stinger has and the same mode functions, it would have been a far better duty light with that set up.

If you do buy one then the cones from the Maglite D series lights fits the HL 5-X for traffic control etc.

My advice is that I'd happily have one as a bag light or for it to sit in the door pocket of your cruiser, but don't replace your belt light with it.

Stay safe.

:twothumbs

 

[GoVegan]

I'm reluctant to recommend Streamlight's Protac models, as I have issues with various Protacs I own, all start to flicker, they also feel very cheap.

I feel like an idiot now, the flickering in a couple of my small Protacs annoyed me so much recently especially as I was using my 1L at work the other day and it was really bad, so I was determined to test them again. I found that the plastic switch in the tailcap had gradually come loose in both lights (maybe after a number of battery changes) and was therefore causing the flickering. After tightening both with a pair of tweezers, no more flicker for the last couple of days and I have tested and used them both many times. Yay!

[The other one I own is destroyed (and only kept now for spare parts), I broke it taking the head off a few years ago, but that flicker must have been the switch as I remember tightening that one and cleaning everything so many times.]

I seem to recall Mr bykfixer has also mentioned this issue in the past, and it isn't that uncommon with some light designs.

So the Protac HL5-X now gets the GV approval.
But I'd still go for the Stinger over the Protac for day to day duty use.

[EDIT: I spoke to soon, my 1L started flickering again tonight as per usual issues with these lights... I give up on them for good].

 

[bykfixer]

The issue I noted with numerous Streamlights GV was when the tail cap was loosened, even very slightly the circuit would be interupted enough to cause issues like flicker or not work at all. The black o'ring would flatten enough to allow the tailcap to unscrew easily.

They fixed that with the HL-4 by using big ole thick red o'rings. In my trouble plagued Streamlights (pro tac ems, stylus pro, microstream, protac 1aaa) I used pipe thread tape to stop the tail cap from unscrewing.