Led Lenser X14 and Maxtoch M24

Recently had opportunity to test a new zoom head Led Lenser X14 - the dual reflector model - and at same time compare it with the standard Maxtoch M24 Sniper as a hunting light. The X14 came well packaged and is a nicely made light. It is somewhat hefty at 420gms - a bit heavy for a scope mounted light - and cost $259NZ. The Maxtoch M24 is also well made, well presented with black carry case, spare O-rings/switches. Maxtoch is a comparative lightweight at 270gms meaning it is a genuine scope mountable or handheld light - and it costs about $85NZ delivered.

In a side-by-side 2m wall beam spot test the X14 has a hotspot about double the size of the Maxtoch, immediately suggesting this will not be as strong a thrower. This is confirmed with the lux meter test (where intensity of the beamspot is measured), with the X14 measuring 37,440 lux at 6m, while the Maxtoch read 81,600. Checking them outside against distance markers out to 500m, the X14 showed a cool white (CW) tint - quite bluey in colour. This is not the best for giving clear object definition at distance and not so good in foggy, unclear conditions. The X14 stretched to 350m but without much power past 150-200m. The stock M24 just showed poles at 500m and showed good light out to 250-300m or so. The Maxtoch led has a neutral white (NW) led giving better object definition at distance.

In these tests both torches performed exactly to factory specs. The Maxtoch M24's factory claim and usual test rating is 80-84k lux or about 570m ANSI (a standard measure down to equivalent of full moonlight on target), while the X14's factory claim is 350m which means about 34k lux.
This particular comparison gave same result as test 2 years back when boys also compared an X14 with a Maxtoch and found the Maxtoch considerably brighter at distance.

You will find both useful for hunting, but the Maxtoch definitely has the advantages. It has double+ the lux output, near half the weight, is ideal for scope or handheld, and is about 1/3rd the price. It also has a 25mm tube to fit any standard rings. A strong point is that its XML2-U2 led can also be dedomed in 10 minutes to more than double output to 170k lux, jumping max distance out to 850m ANSI. Dedoming does not work the same on the X14s leds - alot of trouble and you often end up with a tiny pencil beam of light that is no longer really useful.

Conclusion - the twin X-RE led X14 did not compare with the Maxtoch M24. Its 420gm weight actually means it should be compared with the bigger 440gm Maxtoch 2X - also a handheld torch - but the stock Maxtoch 2X produces 120k lux to the X14's 37k - more than 3x the output. Led Lenser a tidy, well made light with fair performance, but its weight and low output are against it. Weight and output are critical for hunting torches. X14 also expensive for what you get and not a match for the Maxtochs. A good dedomed C8 will equal it for $20-30 or so and a tweak from sneeze or gadgetman.

That matches well with what we found at the wallaby comp last year. One of the local boys was showing off his new X14 and was blown away when my $10 headlamp well outstripped it.