Signaling the Mothership: Streamlight ProTac 2 Review

One of the lights I use regularly is a Streamlight ProTac HL. It was a high-lumen (for the era) LED light, which runs on a pair 123 batteries. It now shows its heavy use. The ProTac HL has an aluminum body, a rear button, and Streamlight Ten Tap programmable operating parameter. I chose the basic pattern, which is instant-on “high”, a second tap gives me “strobe” and a third tap gives me “low”. You can choose two other patterns if you want. I’ve dropped this on concrete, in mud, snow and water and held it in my hand as extra support for when I might need to administer a course of attitude adjustments. It worked flawlessly for a carton batteries, but is no longer an apex lighting tool. The ProTac 2.0 from Streamlight is an improved version of the old ProTac. It’s made in the same way, and it will stand up to abuse and use. It also has a Ten-Tap Programmable Operation, so you can customize the device to your needs. The output is now 2,000 lumens and the battery is rechargeable. The old one was only 750 lumens and could light up a street. But the new 2.0 battery is 2,000 lumens strong enough to signal to the mothership when it is approaching. You can also choose to charge it without removing the battery from the ProTac, or remove it so that you can charge it using the USB cable provided. The new ProTac 2.0 has 2,000 “light-up-the-night” lumens, and you don’t have to remove the battery from the tube in order to recharge it. The 2.0, like the HL, is moisture resistant (nobody can say “waterproof” anymore, regulations won’t allow it) and can survive a dunking much better than you. It is IP67 rated. This means it can withstand being submerged under 1 meter of liquid for as long as you can hold your breath. In the case of technology it gets better. It’s dark inside some places and half the time. When it comes to night-time illumination, the 2.0 is a better option. The HL will soon be relegated as backup. Editor’s Note: This original article appeared in the January 20, 2023 issue Gun Digest the magazine.More on Tactical Lighting:NEXT: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printing Target Pack62 Printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis impressive pack from our friends at Storm Tactical includes 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun ranges. The target grids and bullseyes are measured in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.