The new Streamlight PROTAC HL 6 flashlight is a workhorse, offering an impressive 5,300-lumen output that outshines most other handheld lights on the market. But it’s not just the high lumens that make this light so cool. It also has a unique design that makes it easy to use. This could be used for patrolling a dark alley, responding to an emergency, or simply navigating a power outage at home.

Duty lights are often associated with professional use, but their benefits extend far beyond that. Keeping a powerful, reliable flashlight in your home or vehicle is a smart idea for those unexpected situations.

So, if you’re looking to add, upgrade, or replace a flashlight, you have to check out the new Streamlight PROTAC HL 6.

About the Streamlight PROTAC HL 6

The Streamlight PROTAC HL 6 is designed to deliver a powerful output while maintaining a smaller overall size and shape. This makes it easier to grip and fit into common flashlight holders. A stair-step design starts out at about 1.25 inches and steps up to 1.75 inches before the head of the light, which is 2.25 inches. Small flattened areas around the head of the light keep it from rolling when set on hard surfaces.

A soft rubber grip lines the handle, which makes the light comfortable to hold. The power button is within easy reach of your thumb when holding the light, which is a nice touch. Sometimes, it’s the small things that stand out the most.

Built with an anodized aluminum body, it can resist impact and abrasions. It’s also water-resistant and carries an IPX7 rating. This means it should be able to withstand submersion in water up to one meter deep for 30 minutes without any issues.

Battery life is another critical aspect of any flashlight, and the PROTAC HL 6 uses Streamlight’s rechargeable batteries, which is another big plus for me.

It runs on two SL B48 rechargeable batteries, so you don’t have to keep buying expensive batteries to keep it going. When fully charged, the HL 6 has a 2-hour run time. But if you need to conserve battery, the low setting offers a more modest 600 lumens with a runtime of up to 20 hours.

Incredible Output Potential

The PROTAC HL 6 has a staggering output of 5,300 lumens, making it one of the brightest lights on the market. This light can illuminate vast areas, cutting through the darkness with a simple press of a button.

But what exactly do those lumens mean? In short, lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light. At 5,300 lumens, the PROTAC HL 6 can easily light up just about any area you need it to.

10-Tap Programming

One of the best things Streamlight has incorporated into their lights is the 10-tap programing. This allows users to customize the light’s output to suit their needs. The 10-Tap system provides three different modes: high only, low/high, and high/strobe. This provides plenty of options depending on what you need the light for. I like to use the bright only, or low/bright mode.

High Only Mode: On this setting, you get a maximum of 5,300 lumens with a single tap of the power button. This mode is perfect for situations where you need instant, intense illumination. Whether you’re clearing a room, searching a large area, or signaling for help, it’s bright enough to do the job.

Low/High Mode: In this mode, the light will first turn on at the lower 600-lumen setting with a single tap. A double tap switches to the full 5,300 lumens. This mode is ideal if you want the flexibility of both a lower, more conservative light and the option to ramp up the brightness when needed.

High/Strobe Mode: This setting is designed for tactical situations where disorienting a potential threat could be necessary. A double tap in this mode activates the strobe function, which is particularly effective in high-stress situations, such as self-defense scenarios or signaling for help in emergencies.

Programming the PROTAC HL 6 is straightforward. By tapping the power switch rapidly ten times and holding it on the tenth tap, the light will cycle to the next available mode. Repeat this process for each mode on the light.

How does it hold up in the field?

A flashlight’s true worth is determined by how well it performs in real-world conditions. I put the Streamlight PROTAC HL 6 through several tests to see how it would hold up. Here’s what I found:

Water Submersion Test

To evaluate its water resistance, I submerged the PROTAC HL 6 in a bucket of water for 30 minutes. After the test, there was no sign of water intrusion, and the light continued to function perfectly. I don’t make a habit of dropping my lights in water for that long, so if it can withstand that, I’m happy.

Clearly, it passed this test with flying colors, but I wasn’t done yet.

High-Heat Test

To simulate extreme temperature conditions, I put the PROTAC HL 6 in my oven at 150 degrees for one hour. This is the type of light I would leave in my patrol or personal car, so I want to make sure it can withstand a hot summer day.

I wasn’t surprised to see that the flashlight showed no signs of malfunction or battery drain. When I took it out of the oven, it worked perfectly. Further, the batteries were still in good condition and did not show any signs of swelling or leakage.

Impact and Cold Test

After the heat test, I put the PROTAC HL 6 in my freezer overnight to evaluate how cold temperatures would affect its performance and battery life. The next morning, the flashlight was taken out and turned on immediately. Despite being subjected to freezing temperatures all night, the light was just as bright, and the batteries appeared unaffected. I turned it on for more than an hour with no sign of low power.

My last test involved dropping the light from chest height multiple times onto my hardwood floors. It survived each drop without any damage. Normally, if something breaks when dropping flashlights, it’s the bulb. However, the light stayed completely intact and in perfect working condition.

Clearly, the light is built to last, and I think it’s safe to say I’d trust it for duty use any day of the week. That’s not always the case with some “duty” lights, but the PROTAC HL 6 doesn’t disappoint!

Bright and easy to use

Each of the two batteries is rechargeable by using a USB-C cable. Streamlight includes a double head (y-cable), so you can charge them both at the same time. If you ever want a second set of batteries for extended use, you can buy them from Streamlight.

After using the HL 6 for a while, I can say this is one of the better duty lights I’ve used so far. It’s light, super bright, and the perfect size for daily use. The Streamlight PROTAC HL 6 is easy to use and built to last for years. If you need a new light, I recommend checking this one out. It’s perfect for any dark occasion.