Early in 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) selected the Streamlight ProTac HL-X flashlight as its official agent-issued handheld light. This decision follows a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) awarded to Tactical Express, LLC, a distributor specializing in gear for federal law enforcement.
The agreement designates the ProTac HL-X as the standard tactical light for students of the FBI Academy’s Firearms Training Unit and makes it available for broader use across FBI divisions. Deliveries of the ProTac HL-X to the FBI began in November 2024.
Design and Build Specifications
The ProTac HL-X is engineered for durability and operational reliability. Its housing is constructed from 6000 series machined aircraft aluminum, finished with Type II MIL-SPEC anodizing. This combination provides resistance to abrasion and impact, with the flashlight tested to withstand drops from up to two meters.
The unit is IP68 rated, indicating it is fully protected against dust ingress and capable of withstanding continuous immersion in water up to two meters depth for 30 minutes.
Physically, the flashlight measures 5.43 inches (13.8 cm) in length, with a head diameter of 1.44 inches (3.7 cm) and a body diameter of 1.0 inch (2.54 cm). The weight varies depending on the power source: 6.2 ounces (176 grams) with the SL-B26 rechargeable battery and 5.7 ounces (162 grams) with two CR123A disposable batteries. The lens is made of tempered glass with an anti-reflective coating and is gasket-sealed.
The ProTac HL-X has an anti-roll face cap that prevents the light from shifting when placed on flat surfaces, and a serialized body. A removable pocket clip allows for bezel-up or bezel-down carry.
A durable nylon holster/pouch is also included. The USB version of the flashlight complies with CEC standards and meets the applicable European Community Directives.
Power and Battery Options
A key feature of the ProTac HL-X is its multi-fuel capability. Users can power the flashlight with either a proprietary Streamlight SL-B26 protected Li-Ion USB rechargeable battery or two CR123A lithium disposable batteries.
This multi-fuel capability ensures that users can maintain illumination where charging may be limited. The rechargeable SL-B26 battery offers up to 500 recharge cycles and features an integrated USB-C port. This allows users to charge the battery easily using any USB power source, such as a USB wall charger, computer/laptop, power bank, or car USB port.
The SL-B26 battery has a capacity of 2600mAh and can be recharged up to 500 times. It includes onboard safety controls and features an integrated USB-C charging port. Recharge time is approximately five hours. The CR123A batteries, rated at 3 volts, offer a storage life of up to 10 years, making them ideal for emergency use or for long-term deployment scenarios.
Light Output and Modes
The flashlight utilizes C4 LED technology that is impervious to shock and rated for a 50,000-hour lifetime. The flashlight features a click-style tailcap switch that supports both momentary and constant on. Half-press for momentary and full-press and click for constant-on. The switch is TEN-TAP programmable, allowing users to select from three mode configurations:
- High/Strobe/Low (factory default)
- High only
- Low/Medium/High
Streamlight’s intuitive TEN-TAP programming system allows users to customize the lighting modes of their tactical flashlights with ease. By rapidly tapping the tail switch 10 times and holding it on the tenth tap, users can cycle through the preset mode configurations. Once programmed, the flashlight retains the selected mode until reprogrammed, offering both flexibility and reliability in the field.
The switch button is protected by a crowned tailcap. The switch also has a long throw and requires a fair amount of pressure to activate, reducing the likelihood of negligent discharges. Manual lockout can be achieved by slightly unscrewing the tailcap. This disconnects the battery from the circuit, preventing accidental activation.
Performance Metrics
The Streamlight ProTac HL-X flashlight offers dependable performance across multiple lighting modes, with slight variations depending on the power source used.
When equipped with the proprietary SL-B26 USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the flashlight delivers a powerful 1,300 lumens on its highest setting. This high-output mode runs for approximately 1.5 hours, while the low-output mode extends runtime to an impressive 25 hours.
The beam reaches a distance of up to 374 meters, supported by a peak candela rating of 35,000. Output and runtime are slightly less with CR 123A batteries. The flashlight exhibits excellent regulation throughout its runtime.
All metrics are measured according to the ANSI/NEMA FL-1-2019 standard, which defines performance benchmarks such as brightness, beam distance, and runtime based on when light output drops to 10% of its initial value. This standardized testing ensures consistency and comparability across flashlight brands. Streamlight’s adherence to these protocols reinforces the accuracy of its published specifications.
Lumens & Candela
Lumens and candela are two key metrics used to describe a flashlight’s performance, but they measure different aspects of light. Lumens quantify the total visible light emitted in all directions, while candela measures the intensity of light in a specific direction. These values are not inversely related. A flashlight can have both high lumens and high candela if it produces a large amount of light and focuses it into a tight beam.
When choosing a flashlight, high lumens are ideal for illuminating wide areas, whereas high candela is better for long-range visibility and penetrating visual obstructions.
In tactical settings, high candela output helps defeat photonic barriers, visual challenges like tinted windows, headlights, or ambient glare that obscure targets. This makes candela especially important for law enforcement and self-defense scenarios.
Beam Pattern
The Streamlight ProTac HL-X flashlight features a beam pattern specifically engineered to balance long-range visibility with close-range situational awareness. It has a bright, focused hotspot that delivers high-intensity illumination, ideal for identifying targets at a distance or navigating through low-light environments.
Surrounding this central beam is a broad peripheral spill, commonly referred to as the corona. This corona enhances situational awareness, allowing the user observe surroundings and detect movement in the periphery. There are no artifacts in the beam.
The beam configuration is particularly advantageous in tactical scenarios like room clearing, building searches, and outdoor patrols, where both concentrated and wide-area lighting are essential. The combination of a powerful central beam and a generous spill ensures that users can maintain visual control over both their immediate and extended environment.
Streamlight ProTac HL-X Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| High Lumens | 1,300 |
| Run Time on High | 1.50 hours |
| Run Time on Low | 25.00 hours |
| Beam Distance | 374 meters |
| Max Candela | 35,000 |
| Battery Type | SL-B26 Rechargeable Battery Pack, CR123A Lithium |
| Battery Quantity | 1 – 2 |
| Length | 5.43 inches (13.79 centimeters) |
| Weight | 5.70 ounces (161.59 grams) – 6.20 ounces (175.77 grams) |
| Construction | Durable 6000 Series Aluminum |
| Ingress Protection | IP68 |
| Drop Rating | Impact-resistant up to 2 meters |
| Switch Type | Multi-function push-button tail switch with TEN-TAP programming |
| Colors | Black |
Final Thoughts
The Streamlight ProTac HL-X balances performance, durability, and versatility. Its combination of high lumen output, programmable functionality, durable construction, and flexible power options makes it a compelling choice for law enforcement, military personnel, and civilian users alike.
The ProTac HL-X is NTOA Member Tested & Recommended. The FBI’s formal adoption further reinforces its standing as a trusted lighting solution.
The Streamlight ProTac HL-XL with 18650 battery and USB cable has a suggested retail price of $198.21. The suggested retail price of the Streamlight ProTac HL-X flashlight with CR123A batteries is $178.39, Online prices can be quite a bit lower.
Streamlight backs the ProTac HL-X with a limited lifetime warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
