SevereWX
Newly Enlightened
I've been carrying a Streamlight Protac 2L (the 260 lumen model), since mid-2013. It has been a great light for the most part, except for that doggone pocket clip that seems to pop off the light every other time I try to clip the light to the pocket of my work pants. I use my flashlight almost every day for various purposes and it has never once left me in the dark. But, I'm getting tired of buying CR123 batteries for it, so I was thinking it might be time for an upgrade to a rechargeable model. I figured I'd stick with Streamlight since they've been good to me, I've also got a Streamlight Siege D-cell lantern, and a little Bandit headlamp I like to clip to the brim of my cap when I need both hands free for tinkering around at the workbench.
So, I got to looking at the various Streamlight offerings and came across 2 different models that really caught my eye that looked like they would be good for pocket or belt holster carry. First I was looking at the Strion DS HL, and then I noticed the Protac HL-X. They're both similarly sized, they both use lithium ion rechargeable batteries, albeit by different methods; a charging dock for the Strion, which seems more convenient than unscrewing the back of the Protac HL-X every time I want to charge the 18650 it can use. But the Strion DS HL has dual switches which could be nice, but the Protac HL-X uses the ten-tap system which I'm already accustomed to using. The Protac HL-X also seems to be a little lumen happier, though the difference between 700 and 1,000 lumens would likely be insignificant for all but bragging rights.
I know there are plenty of other brands out there to choose from, but I've been happy with Streamlight for this long, so I figure I'll just stick with the brand for a while longer. There seems to be a lot of overlap between the two, very similar specs as far as maximum beam distance is concerned, very minor differences in weight and body length. The Strion boasts being assembled in the USA, but to be honest my little made in China Protac 2L has given me no complaints in overall quality and functionality save for that aggravating pocket clip popping off all the time. So chances are I'll likely be buying one or the other, that is the Strion DS HL or the Protac HL-X. I just can't decide what would make one choice more suitable than the other for a bright EDC light. Maybe I just need to flip a coin?
So, I got to looking at the various Streamlight offerings and came across 2 different models that really caught my eye that looked like they would be good for pocket or belt holster carry. First I was looking at the Strion DS HL, and then I noticed the Protac HL-X. They're both similarly sized, they both use lithium ion rechargeable batteries, albeit by different methods; a charging dock for the Strion, which seems more convenient than unscrewing the back of the Protac HL-X every time I want to charge the 18650 it can use. But the Strion DS HL has dual switches which could be nice, but the Protac HL-X uses the ten-tap system which I'm already accustomed to using. The Protac HL-X also seems to be a little lumen happier, though the difference between 700 and 1,000 lumens would likely be insignificant for all but bragging rights.
I know there are plenty of other brands out there to choose from, but I've been happy with Streamlight for this long, so I figure I'll just stick with the brand for a while longer. There seems to be a lot of overlap between the two, very similar specs as far as maximum beam distance is concerned, very minor differences in weight and body length. The Strion boasts being assembled in the USA, but to be honest my little made in China Protac 2L has given me no complaints in overall quality and functionality save for that aggravating pocket clip popping off all the time. So chances are I'll likely be buying one or the other, that is the Strion DS HL or the Protac HL-X. I just can't decide what would make one choice more suitable than the other for a bright EDC light. Maybe I just need to flip a coin?