Which duty flashlight should you buy, the Fenix PD36R Pro or the Streamlight ProTac HL-X?
Pick the Fenix for a dedicated rechargeable setup and dual tail controls. Pick the Streamlight for a choice between its rechargeable pack and compatible CR123A cells. Choose the switch and battery routine you can maintain. Turbo numbers win arguments; a boring battery routine keeps the light useful.
Published September 22, 2026
Decision table
Performance figures below are maker-listed, not results from a shared head-to-head test. Treat peak output and runtime as separate claims unless the maker explicitly ties them together. The largest number in the table does not choose your switch or charge your battery.
| Attribute | Fenix PD36R PRO Rechargeable Flashlight | Streamlight ProTac® HL-X |
|---|---|---|
Battery compatibility | One included 21700 rechargeable Li-ion battery (5000 mAh) with USB-C charging | Multi-Fuel: (1) Streamlight SL-B26 pack or (2) CR123A batteries |
Switch | Dual tactical tail switch | User-programmable tail switch: High/Strobe/Low, High-only, or Low/Medium/High |
Length | 5.74 inches (145.8 mm) | 5.43 inches (138 mm) |
Weight | 5.96 oz (169 g) including battery | 5.7 oz (162 g) with CR123A; 6.2 oz (176 g) with SL-B26 pack |
Rechargeable cell performance | Maker-listed Turbo: 2,800 lumens / 380 m / 3.5 h including step-down; Eco: 30 lumens / 42 h | Maker-listed High: 1,300 lumens / 35,000 candela / 1.5 h; Medium: 420 lumens / 11,000 candela / 3.75 h; Low: 70 lumens / 1,800 candela / 25 h |
Disposable cell performance | Not applicable in this comparison; the Fenix column uses its specified 21700 setup | Maker-listed High: 1,000 lumens / 27,100 candela / 1.25 h; Medium: 400 lumens / 10,000 candela / 3 h; Low: 65 lumens / 1,600 candela / 20 h |
Water resistance | Waterproof underwater to 2 meters | IP68-rated, waterproof to 2 meters |
Impact resistance | 1-meter impact resistance listed | 2-meter impact resistance tested |
Body material | A6061-T6 aluminum | Anodized aluminum |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Guarantee | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Who should pick which
Consider Fenix PD36R Pro
Consider the Fenix if you want dual tail controls, USB-C charging, and a dedicated 21700 setup. Do not read its maximum output and maximum runtime as the same operating mode.
Consider Streamlight ProTac HL-X
Consider the Streamlight if battery flexibility matters. Its tail switch can be set to High/Strobe/Low, High-only, or Low/Medium/High, so choose the sequence you can run cleanly.
What the makers do not state
The Fenix specifications do not provide intensity and beam-distance figures for every mode.
The makers publish their own performance figures; this page did not run a joint comparison.
Streamlight's primary specifications table does not state a warranty-duration row or imperial beam-distance measurements.
If a missing figure decides the purchase, ask for the current manual or test report before buying. Missing data is not an invitation to fill the blank with optimism.
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Frequently asked questions
What battery does each light take?
The Fenix PD36R Pro uses an included 21700 rechargeable battery, while the Streamlight ProTac HL-X accepts either one rechargeable SL-B26 pack or two CR123A lithium batteries.
What switch configuration does the Streamlight ProTac HL-X use?
Streamlight lists a user-programmable tail switch with High/Strobe/Low, High-only, or Low/Medium/High sequences.
What candela does each maker publish?
The makers list peak intensity figures for their highest modes, but those figures come from separate product documents rather than a shared head-to-head test.
What water and impact ratings do the makers state?
Fenix lists 1-meter impact resistance and waterproofing to 2 meters. Streamlight lists 2-meter impact resistance and waterproofing to 2 meters. These are maker-stated ratings, not results from a joint comparison.
Keep the decision in context
This comparison covers 2 specific duty flashlights. Use the broader flashlight buyers guide for everyday carry, compact, and tactical alternatives. To compare these lights with other picks, open our full flashlight comparison database.