It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Headlamps can be helpful in various situations, whether you’re out night fishing, setting up a campsite after dusk, hiking an unfamiliar path, or working in a dimly lit area. The Nitecore NU11 Clip-On Cap Light adds some versatility to your standard headlamp because instead of having to wear it with a harness, you can clip it on your cap, attach it to your backpack, or wear it on your headband like a traditional headlamp while still enjoying hands-free lighting.
The NU11 has two types of light, white and red, with white light featuring two additional modes: high and low. In high mode, the NU11 can produce up to 150 lumens of brightness, reaching a distance of up to 55 yards. In low mode, the light produces up to 45 lumens of brightness, better suited for close-range tasks while saving battery power. The red light also has two modes: constant-on and flashing. The constant-on mode can produce up to 4 lumens of brightness, which is ideal for preserving your night vision or reading maps. The flashing mode can produce up to 4 lumens of brightness, which can serve as a signal or emergency light.
At only 1.45 oz, the Nitecore NU11 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around on treks. Despite its small size, battery life remains impressive. It can last up to 30 hours in 4-lumen, constant-on red light mode, 6 hours in 45-lumen Low white light mode, and 2.5 hours on High white light mode. A handy indicator will let you know when it needs recharging, with a full charge achieved in only 2 hours via a fast-charging USB-C port.
One of the most useful features of the Nitecore NU11 is its infrared motion sensor, which you can activate by pressing the power button for 3 seconds. Once the sensor is on, you can turn the NU11 on and off with a simple wave of your hand within 10cm (about 4”) of the sensor. This feature comes in handy (or should I say, no-handy?) when your hands are dirty or occupied. You can also use the power button to adjust the brightness settings or switch to the red light mode.
What we like: Clip it on your cap for a direct and focused beam or attach it to your pack for a wider and diffused beam. This versatility and compact “clip-anywhere” feature makes it easy to recommend for your next adventure.
What to watch out for: The motion sensor can be accidentally triggered by other objects or movements, such as your hair or hat. Thankfully, you can switch the IR sensor off if you don’t need it by pressing the power button for 3 seconds.
Final verdict: The Nitecore NU11 Clip-On Cap Light is a versatile and convenient clip-on light that you can attach to various surfaces, giving you hands-free lighting that significantly enhances your outdoor experience.
