Claymore Capon 120-D: A Surprisingly Versatile Headlamp

The Claymore CAPON 120D: A Versatile Lighting Solution

The Claymore CAPON 120D offers a unique and compact lighting solution, setting itself apart from many traditional headlamps. This adaptable light source is designed to clip onto a cap brim, backpack strap, or even hang from a carabiner, making it ideal for campers, hikers, and ultralight adventurers who prefer an alternative to the traditional headband design.

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Key Features and Design

Weighing in at just 55 grams, the CAPON 120D delivers an impressive 380 lumens with a beam range of up to 100 meters. It features a focused white spotlight, twin red-light arrays for preserving night vision, and a top-mounted flood beam that excels as a tent lantern.

This device boasts a wide range of features, including stepless dimming or five brightness levels and an SOS strobe for emergencies. A proximity sensor enables hands-free control, and the rear USB-C port allows for convenient recharging.

The build quality is robust, the clip is strong and adjustable, and the overall design feels well-engineered. While the CAPON 120D may not be perfect for all activities due to the lack of a bounce-free headband, it is an excellent all-around light for camp life, backup use, or anyone who prefers wearing a cap on the trail.

Construction and Functionality

The Claymore CAPON series includes several models with varying price points and specifications. The 120D is among the more powerful and feature-rich models in the lineup.

The light consists of a rectangular unit with LED arrays on the front and top surfaces, encased in a molded plastic housing. The underside features a sturdy, 180-degree adjustable clip, allowing it to be attached to a cap brim or hard hat. Its versatility also allows it to be clipped to a chest pocket or backpack shoulder strap.

A small aluminum carabiner is included for hanging the light in a tent, and the clip itself can serve as an angled kickstand, enabling users to direct the light as needed. This thoughtful design makes it a functional and clever piece of equipment.

The front of the light features a forward-facing 8.5-degree spot beam inside a circular projector housing. This emits up to 380 lumens and projects a beam up to 100 meters. On either side, there are twin 4 x LED red light arrays, ideal for preserving night vision.

The top of the unit has a 10 x LED white-light array with a translucent white plastic lens that produces a diffused cool white flood beam, perfect for use as a tent or camp lantern.

Operation and Controls

Operating the CAPON 120D is straightforward and intuitive, despite its numerous functions. Two rubberized buttons control the device: a top-mounted power button for turning the light on and off, and a side-mounted ‘mode’ button for cycling through spot, red light, and flood beam modes.

Holding the power button activates stepless dimming, allowing users to adjust the brightness of any light mode. Alternatively, holding the power button and pressing the mode button cycles through five stepped brightness settings. A two-second press of the power button activates an SOS strobe mode for emergency situations.

A three-LED battery level indicator on top of the unit briefly illuminates when the unit is powered off, displaying the remaining charge. However, the device lacks a button lock feature.

Proximity Sensor

The CAPON 120D is equipped with a side-mounted proximity sensor for hands-free operation. Holding the ‘mode’ button for two seconds activates the sensor, indicated by a small red LED.

Once activated, waving a hand past the sensor switches the light on and off without pressing a button. The proximity sensor has an effective range of about 10 cm and performs reliably in various scenarios.

Performance and Battery Life

The CAPON 120D strikes a balance between weight, performance, and functionality. With a 1200mAh built-in li-ion cell, it offers superior battery life compared to many competitors in the cap light category.

The unit recharges via a rear USB-C port protected by a rubberized cover. The quoted battery life is 3 hours at full power or 4.5 hours at 25 lumens (using the forward-focused beam); 60 hours at 1 lumen or 4 hours at 40 lumens in red light mode; and 4.5 hours at 25 lumens or 3 hours at 340 lumens (using the diffused cool white light).

The unit has an ingress protection rating of IP54, making it dust-resistant and splash-proof. While not as high as some headlamps, it matches many popular models from leading brands.

Weight and Dimensions

Weighing just 55 grams and measuring 54 x 57 x 34mm (2.1 x 2.2 x 1.3 inches), the CAPON 120D is slightly heavier than some ultralight headlamps but offers a higher maximum light output of 380 lumens.

Field Performance

In practical use, the CAPON 120D performs reliably. While its limited burn times may not make it suitable for extended periods of darkness, it is an excellent light for backpacking and wild camping.

The spot beam is surprisingly powerful for its size, and the diffused flood lens makes it one of the best compact tent lanterns available.

Its portability and low weight make it a great backup or emergency light to keep in a pack or kit bag. Hikers and hillwalkers will appreciate it for such “just in case” situations.

Comfort and Wearability

Comfort is subjective and depends on whether the user typically wears a cap while hiking and camping. The CAPON works best with sturdier trucker-style hats rather than ultralight, foldable trail running caps. Provided the brim is stiff enough to support its weight, it is compatible with most types of headwear.

The clip is well-designed, providing a secure and stable mount. While it may feel slightly front-heavy compared to the lightest conventional headlamps, its weight of just 55 grams is not overly burdensome.

Alternatives

While the concept of a cap light is not entirely unique, the CAPON stands out in this niche category. Other clip-on torches are available from brands like Nitecore and NEBO, but the Claymore CAPON is arguably the best-engineered.

Compared to ultralight headlamps, it also holds its own. Few 300+ lumen headlamps weigh 55 grams or less. Some alternatives include the Black Diamond Deploy 325 (325 lumens, 40g) and Nitecore NU25 UL (400 lumens, 47g).

The CAPON 120D offers a great combination of performance and value. It may not be ideal for fast-paced activities like trail running, and its reliance on a cap or strap may be a limitation for some. However, its versatility and performance make it a valuable addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear.

Final Verdict

The Claymore CAPON 120D is a smart, high-performing alternative to traditional headlamps, delivering performance and flexibility in a neat, clip-on design. It is perfect for cap-wearing campers and backpackers seeking a versatile and lightweight lighting solution.