Over at the Garage Journal forum, someone asked about the difference between Milwaukee Tool’s original M12 heated jacket, and the new one.
The main differences are that the new version has a fleece lining and an independently controlled pocket heating zone. Visually, you can tell the difference by the control buttons and LED indicators. The original style simply says has an M12 icon, while the newer style has an M12 icon and a hand graphic.
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When shopping online, listings for the new version should explicitly mention pocket heat zones or 5 sewn in heat zones. The original version has 3 core heat zones while the newer one has 3 core heat zones plus two pocket heat zones.
USA model numbers for the newer style jackets are 2340 (red jacket), 2341 (red jacket kit), 2344 (black jacket), 2345 (black jacket kit).
International SKUs are a bit tricker, as it appears the same model number (M12 HJ Black) corresponds to the newer style jacket in the UK and original style in Canada and AUS/NZ regions.
Just to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with the original style, it’s still a great product. But for those who are specifically looking for the newer style, hopefully these tips help you out. The same differences apply to the red jackets, and as far as I’m aware the specialty colors (high-visibility and camo) are only available in the original style.
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Edit: the high-visibility version seems to have the fleece liner but no heated pockets, while the camo version is available in the new style (SKU 2343). The high visibility version is also the only one with a hood.
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Javier
I almost bought an original red jacket kit in march for $129 (yes a kit with battery and charger) but didn’t because the cold was almost over and I knew I would grumble all year long about not having the features of the newer jackets. My hands get very cold and need the heated pockets and I would miss out on the usb charger function which my smartphone needs. Even as great as the newer jackets are, there is still room for improvement. One feature they both lack is heated arm sleeves.
jeff_williams
Hi-viz is only available in the new style but lacks hand warmers. Hi-viz also has additional front pockets and a back flap that can be embroidered with a company logo. Camo was available in both styles. The new style can also be powered by the M18 battery pack and power port that helped you through Sandy. It should be able to power the old style too but I haven’t tested that feature.
I have both and can say that the new one is hands down my favorite. It’s longer in the torso and the pocket openings are lower as well. For a tall guy like me, it fits much better. When the battery goes dead the fleece lining stays warmer as well. The collar still pills up pretty badly though like the first gen did.
Stuart
You’re right, the camo is available in the complete new style, and while the high-viz has a fleece liner it doesn’t have heated pockets.
I can’t see why the M18 power pack couldn’t be used with the original style jacket. Its output is probably stepped down so that the input voltage to the jacket is the same as with the M12 power connection.
Justin
Important: the Tool-Only version (i.e., Jacket-Only) of the New 5-zone Jacket comes with a standard M12 battery holder that’s similar to the holder that came with Original design;
Whereas the KIT version of the same Jacket instead includes the much more expensive M12 Battery Holder with USB output connection and USB On/Off Switch for charging iPhones carried in the jacket. Note that this USB Output offers up to 1Amp out at 5VDC—more current than the M12 Power Source or even the M18 Power Source (750 mA and 500 mA, respectively)—and thus enough to charge any iPhone at normal speed (and iPad Mini if memory serves) which is rare among any/all USB chargers and likely an industry-first (certainly, a Milwaukee-first).
The difference in battery holders is stated on the new Jacket’s Parts Diagram found on Milwaukee’s website; the parts pricing catalog lists the better holder at over $40 for the part alone (likely due to the higher current-handling USB voltage conversion/divider/whatever).