I have an older Cabelas XPS high-lumen flashlight I really like. I've had it since 2014 or so and believe it's a re-branded Streamlight HL 3. As far as I can tell, they're not available from Cabelas any more. However, in size, construction, and features it sure looks like an HL3. It takes three CR123A lithium batteries and I believe puts out about 1100 lumens maximum. I think I paid about $150 for it at the time. Maybe $135.
Last week I decided I need another as I keep forgetting to move it between rigs and end up without one on my trip. In searching for one, I came upon Streamlight's Protac HL 5X USB.
This one is a 'multi-fuel' one in that it uses either four CR123A batteries or two 18650 rechargeable ones. The 'USB' in the name refers to the fact that the 18650 batteries are recharged via micro-USB connectors made right into the batteries. A USB-to-microUSB Y cord is included and allows the two 18650 batteries to be charged simultaneously from one USB port. Each 18650 has a tiny LED that shows red, then green when the charge is topped off.
One nice thing about the HL 5X is you can order it with the 18650s, or, if you just plan on using CR123As, save a few bucks and order it that way. In either case, you can use either CR123As or 18650s.
I have a stock of CR123As for the old one so almost ordered it with CR123As. But then I noticed the light output is rated at 2500 lumens for those and 3500 for the 18650s. So for $10 more ($90 vs $100 on Amazon), why not get the 18650s? My main concern about rechargeable batteries has been finding them low when I need them. But in this flashlight, I can use either.
I received it a few days ago and found it didn't seem to work as described in the ad or by Streamlight. At first I couldn't get it to go into strobe or the Low setting. I did eventually get those functioning and thought I was set. But that evening I tried to turn it on and it wouldn't turn on at all. I removed the 18650s and immediately put them back in. And it worked on high but again wouldn't go into strobe or Low modes.
I called Streamlight and learned a bit more about the ten-tap switch. There are three 'programs' or options: (1) High-Strobe-Low, (2) High Only and (3) Low-Medium-High. To change programs, tap the switch nine times and then hold it down the 10th time. I did not, however, get a response on the light not turning on at all (until I pulled and re-inserted the batteries).
I've been trying it multiple times a day since that happened and it has worked every time so far. Not sure what could have been going on there.
I've also learned I have to be careful with the strobe mode or flashing the light. Not long after trying the strobe, I felt odd... a bit dizzy perhaps... and it didn't clear up right away. (Also- Please note there's a warning with the light that using the strobe may cause a seizure in a person with photosensitive epilepsy.)
At this point I've just left the light on the high-only program as that's how I intend to use it.
Photo comparing the size of the Cabelas light and the Streamlight to a more-traditional flashlight... (click to enlarge)...
Photo of the 18650 batteries charging. If you look very closely at the upright one, you can see the red LED at 6 o'clock on the battery top.
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