Left to Right: Streamlight TLR1-HL | Surefire M600DF/M640DF | Modlite PLHv2 | Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0 | Streamlight ProTac HP-X Pro | Streamlight ProTac 2.0 RM HP | SMSLaser HFXC v2
At the top, this review is not an ultra-detailed, definitive comparison of every rifle light out there. Plenty of those exist for each of these lights individually, if you wish to seek them out. Instead, the purpose of this review is really to compare the two newest offerings from Streamlight against a range of other popular and well-respected lights.
Streamlight has good track record of making durable, reliable, and high-performing weapon-mounted lights (WMLs), that hold their own against lights that cost twice as much. Their offerings are our go-to recommendation when someone asks for a quality WML on a budget. For years, their ProTac HL-X Pro have been our default answer for rifles (with the TLR7 Sub/TLR7A/TLR-1 HL for sub-compact/compact/full-size handguns).
At ShotShow 2025, Streamlight announced two replacements for the aging HL-X. The ProTac HP-X Pro and the ProTac 2.0 RM HP. If you’re confused and annoyed at their naming convention, know that you are definitely not alone. The HL-X offered 1000 lumens and 50,000 candela (27,600 candela for 2024 and older models). The new generation promises more throw, and twice the lumens in the case of the 2.0 RM HP.
Our rifle WML lineup breaks down like this (note, we’re including the TLR1-HL because it is sometimes used on SBRs or rifles with limited rail space):
| Model | Price (MSRP) | Lumens | Candela | Runtime (High) | Weight | Battery Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streamlight TLR1-HL | $149 | 1000 | 20,000 | 90 min | 4.2 oz | 2x CR123A |
| Surefire M600DF/640DF | $369 | 1500 1200 | 16,000 12,800 | 90 min 75 min | 5.5 oz | 1x Protected 18650 or 2x CR123A |
| Modlite PLHv2 | $309 | 1350 | 54,000 | 75 min 35 min | 5.3 oz | 1x 18650 Protected or 1x 18350 or 2x CR123A** |
| Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0* | $349 | 1250 | 100,000 | 95 min | 6.9 oz | 1x 18650 Unprotected or 2x CR123A** |
| Streamlight ProTac HP-X Pro* | $189 | 800 | 105,000 | 120 min 90 min | 6.4 oz | 1x Protected 18650 or 2x CR123A** |
| Streamlight ProTac 2.0 RM HP* | $189 | 2000 | 85,000 | 150 min | 9.1 oz | 1x SL-B50 (Proprietary) |
| SMSLaser HFXC v2* | $245 | 1000 | 50,000 | N/A | 8.4 oz | 1x 18500 or 1x 18650 Unprotected (with extended tailcap) 1x CR123A (with spacer)*** |
** Output may be reduced with CR123A|
*** 2x CR123A configuration is NOT supported and will damage the light
We’ll just come out and say it: the Streamlight 2.0 RM HP absolutely dominated in terms of overall brightness. Where the other lights compromise with offering either good throw or good flood, the 2.0 RM HP gives you both. As such, all of the sliding image comparisons below use the 2.0 RM HP as their reference image.
Does that make the 2.0 RM HP our new default recommendation? Probably, but with some notable asterisks.
First: The size and weight of this light cannot be overstated. It is a Certified Chonk. It’s a full inch longer than the PLHv2 and almost twice the weight. The head and body diameters are both notably larger than the other lights, as well.
Second: While all the other lights on the list run off commonly available rechargeable cells and/or support non-rechargeable CR123As, the 2.0 RM HP requires a proprietary cell only offered by Streamlight, the SL-B50. Under the covers this is a protected 21700 cell, but with significant modifications made to place the +/- terminals on the same end.
Are either of these things deal-breakers? Probably not. But they are worth consideration. Four extra ounces at the end of a rifle adds up, and not having compatibility with ubiquitous cell types is a bummer.
A couple other points of note: On paper, the 105,000 candela of the ProTac HP-X Pro should edge out the reigning throw champion, the REIN 3.0. But the REIN has significantly better CRI (color rendering index) that, at least in this testing, seemed to give better definition to the targets.
The SMSLaser HFXC gets an honorable mention for offering incredible value as a 4-in-1. While the white light performance was pretty middle-of-the-pack, it packs an excellent IR illuminator and adjustable full-power IR and visible lasers, all in a packages that’s lightweight and well-built. It does not support separate activation of the white light and IR (only supports one mode at a time), which is something to be aware of. But as a jack-of-all-trades device, it’s hard to beat for folks looking for a low(er) cost solution for aiming under night vision.
Photo Comparison Time!
