Milwaukee’s M12 heated jacket, recently made available in camo, is apparently now available in black. Keen-eyed reader Jeff has one in red, and after it malfunctioned he dug up a service parts document online (PDF). To his surprise, there’s mention of a black jacket.
The service parts list is dated August 2011, but we haven’t heard a peep about or seen these black heated jackets anywhere. After spending a few minutes with google, we saw that these jackets were indeed available in black at a couple of major retailers… in Canada.
Thanks Jeff for the heads-up!
Red & Camo Versions via Amazon
Update: Our contact at Milwaukee has confirmed that the black-fabric version is currently a Canadian exclusive, with no plans to distribute it in the USA.
As an aside, my jacket only runs when it is on the hanger. It shuts off after about 5 minutes if I’m wearing it. Frustrating. I’m trying to figure out the exact conditions that cause it to shutoff so I can report it to Milwaukee. The jacket isn’t even a year old and I only wear it on the weekends. Never even washed it. I hope it’s just a fluke.
Maybe it shorts out if compressed in a certain way while wearing? Your best bet would probably be to contact Milwaukee for a replacement. I haven’t heard too many complaints about these jackets.
I love my Milwaukee jacket. I’d love to have a black one, and would get one immediately if it were available here.
I’d only buy one in black. Millwaukee’s loss…
Found the black jacket for you guys. Maybe if people buy them, they will make them more available. I couldn’t wear red or camo for any reason.
http://www.newyorkpowertools.com/product.php?productid=230
I found that vendor in my own searches, but something looks a little weird about the site.
I just ordered this M12 Jacket in Black from newyorkpowertools.com and it arrived within 3 days, even shipping from Canada. This company only allows you to pay via PayPal, but since I already have a PayPal account set up, it was no problem. Product was packaged well and jacket arrived with no damage. I already have a red jacket, so I know how great this product is. The black works exactly the same and so far everything is operating exactly as it should. I wanted to post this just so everyone knows that orders from newyorkpowertools.com is no problem and they seem very good.
They sell them in Home Depot Canada currently. They are even available online but I am not sure if they ship to the us.
Even if HD CA can ship to the USA, the product wouldn’t be supported unless/until released in the USA. So if say, something in the jacket fails after 31 days, you’re SOL.
Good find. I am enjoying my red one, but found that the battery doesn’t last long enough on high, and I think the light is a “little” obnoxious
But I do like the warmth on a chilly day.
@fred- I’m with you. Mine never lasts the full 6 hours. Also, everyone always asks me why my jacket is glowing.
Osmondtools.com will ship quickly and are the cheapest I have found, just got the black jacket I picked up an XC battery it lasts an easy 8 hours plus
We had the same experience as jeff_williams above – jacket would shut off prematurely. SAVE your receipt on these folks, they’re warrantied for a year. Send it back to Milwaukee w a note of what it’s doing – you don’t have to be THAT specific. We just told them the jacket shuts down much too soon, and noted that we had tried different battery packs (true). They sent a new one out no charge. Just in case save your paperwork from the warranty action – you might be good for another 12 months from the date of that (not sure).
Mark – I wonder how the XC battery is in that rear pocket?? Too heavy/bulky?