Energizer 3-LED Performance Cap Light (Batteries Included) Review

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Mounts on top of hat brim with a sturdy metal spring clip passing thru the tilt bracket into lugs molded in the case body. Weighs 1.4 oz empty, 2.2 oz with 2 alkaline AAAs. Measures 2 7/8" L 2 1/8" W 1 ¼" T including bracket.

Pressing the top center-mounted switch activates 2 red LEDs which cast an 18" circle at your feet, widening to about 2' at 3 yd. Estimated useful range about 10 yd in pitch dark. Close in, bright enough to read a map or tie a hook. Another press, red goes out and the 3 white LEDs come on low. Press again for high power (only slightly brighter). Press again to off.

Test walk on a flat blacktop path at high power: Beam circle at your feet about 3' widens to about 5' at 4 yd. Bright enough close in for any task. My 60 year old eyes could distinguish shapes of individual leaves on the path at 10 yd, tree trunks beside the path at 30 yd. The eyes of two beaver I encountered shone out beyond 50 yd.

The beam convergence is close but not perfect. Lens flaws cause thin, irregular halos around the central bright spot where the beams converge. This could distract you from slight movements at the edge of the beam (say, the cat you're looking for) but IMO isn't a significant flaw considering the price. I suspect this is common to all these units.

The tilt bracket click-stops at 4 preset angles: Nearly straight down for close work, 2 for medium distance (10-25 ft depending on your cap tilt) or flat for straight out. IMO the tilting feature is invaluable and worth 2 1/2 stars alone. The clear, sealed lens piece extends about 1" out beyond your cap brim. The underside of the lens glows brightly, I found this distracting so I covered it with black tape (later replaced with several coats of black nail polish) This did not affect the beam coverage.

I thought AAA batteries might make this light too heavy on the front edge of a cap brim but I don't think so, unless you jog with a loose hatband ;-)> Still, you might tie a string from your hatband to the back of the horseshoe-shaped clip as insurance if you use it fishing with a slick cap brim.

Unlike some of the other cap lights featured on Amazon this one is serious. Its branded, and the light output is rated (30 lumens). Its compact enough to be carried as a pocket flashlight and also makes a decent task light. I have no data on battery life but it doesn't get hot so its likely pretty efficient. AAA alkalines are relatively cheap so this isn't a big issue IMO.

The top mount makes it vulnerable to brush and weather but it keeps the light out of your field of view and enables the valuable tilting feature. Its described as "weatherproof" but I didn't test it. I don't see the clip breakage problem reported with other cap lights happening with this one unless its handled roughly.

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I purchased this device as an emergency backup light system for use in a private plane cockpit at night, in case of electrical failure. The red lights are needed to preserve night vision. The light beam is concentrated just about right for reading the instruments directly in front of your face, but you need to turn your head to see those on either side. The light intensity is good not too bright.

I like the feature that the light fits on top of the brim of your cap, which allows it to pivot down for closer work, while still not blocking your vision. There is some glare off the lower portion of the light, which other users reported, but it is not bothersome on the red light setting.

Overall, the device seems to be well made and the white lights are handy for walking at night or working on your car in tight places where some extra light is needed. I have used it for a couple hours with no noticeable drop in battery life, so I cannot comment on how long the batteries will last. One issue to be aware of: When I first inserted the batteries, there was a sharp metal edge on a part that shorted out one of the batteries when I closed the lid. It did not damage the unit, but the battery was quite hot when I felt the case a few minutes later. After repositioning the battery, everything is working fine.

Overall, I feet this was a worthwhile purchase.

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I don't wear hats, so I didn't see the need for a cap light. After considering it, I tried the Energizer Cap Light. I got mine at Meijer for $15.

The light runs on two AAA batteries, and two Energizer alkalines are included. Listed runtime is 30 minutes. I've noticed that Energizer is pretty honest with their listed statistics, so I'm not going to waste the batteries testing this. The output is rated at 30 lumens on high. This looks about right.

There is a clip on the bottom of the light, so you can clip it to your baseball cap. The clip rotates into four positions: straight, 30, 60, and 90 degrees. The clip is wire and is attached to the light. Attached to the clip is a grippy plastic plate; the ball cap (or whatever you clip the light to) goes in between the clip and plate. I tried it on a cap, a belt, and a backpack strap, and it works pretty well. The angle system is a tad flimsy, but that's using it on a backpack strap or epaulet.

The batteries are inserted by unclipping two tabs and then swinging the battery door out of the way. The tabs don't swing away far enough to clear the door, and I could see them breaking. They're also very stiff, almost requiring a coin to open.

The switch is on the top, and clicking it switches modes. Click once for the red light, which is two red 5mm LEDs. A second click turns the white light on in low mode, which uses three 5mm LEDs and is about 20 lumens. A third click turns the white light on in high, which uses the same 5mm LEDs but bumps output to 30 lumens. You have to click through each mode to turn the light off. A plastic lens focuses and magnifies the light without adding artifacts. There's also no blue tint. While on, a soft press of the switch will turn the light off momentarily. Letting it go will turn the light back on in the same mode; it won't switch modes unless you give it a full click. I should also note that the switch is a mechanical switch: if the light is clicked on without batteries (or if the batteries die while the light is on) then the light will come on in the last mode used when batteries are inserted.

For a general clip-in-most-places light, I like this one. I wear a boonie hat more than any other piece of headgear, and this goes well in one of the loops on the side. It also works on a backpack or duct taped to a bike for an emergency rear light.

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Best head light of the 5 kinds I have owned. Its weight is light enough to not bother you. Has never slipped off my hat despite dropping and throwing. I use it everyday while delivering pizzas, and I receive regular compliments and inquiries about it. I have had it for 4 months and the batteries that came with it are still working. Don't stress the clip or use it to hold other stuff, like money. It lets me see in the car and while walking up to peoples houses. You should totally buy one, would make a cool casual gift too.

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I have used this for quite a few night runs now. Some have been in rain, and a couple when it dropped below freezing. This light has proved quite reliable. There is no noticeable dimming of the light after several runs about 120 minutes each (batteries haven't need replacing yet). It weighs less than I expected.

The clip is very firm; it never feels like it is going to slip free from my hat's bill while running. The design of the metal clip would also allow it to work in a flat or curved hat bill. The ratcheting clip is also very firm, so you can point it down at the trail or straight ahead and it remains in the position you leave it in. Brightness is plenty adequate for running, with a few meters of very bright surrounding and reflective bounce for hundreds of meters ahead (I run out in the country, where it is otherwise true pitch dark otherwise).

The two white light settings are basically the same brightness, and the red light setting is a nice touch for preserving or recovering night vision (usually use this for post-run stretching before having to get back in my car to drive home from trail).