If you’re a World War II aviation buff, you’re probably familiar with long-range bombers. Planes like the B-24 Liberator and the B-17F Flying Fortress could hit ceilings of up to 36,000 feet. At the time, there weren’t pressurized cabins. So, the temperature outside was essentially the temperature inside. Flying at 36K, you were looking at about -65ºF. And how did they cope with these conditions? They used heated flight suits. Of course, these things had cords. Granted, you’re not going to face such extreme climes working outdoors. Nonetheless, things can get pretty cold, which is why the folks at Makita put together their 18V LXT cordless heated vest (DCV202ZL).
Let’s take a look at how this apparel can help keep Jack Frost at bay.
Fun Fact: During World War II, legendary actor Jimmy Stewart (It’s a Wonderful Life) co-piloted a B-24 Liberator, making several perilous bombing runs over Germany. Odds are, he wore a heated suit!
Makita Cordless Heated Vest Features
While this product isn’t the brand’s first venture into the heated apparel landscape, it is among the latest additions.
Like the rest of their toasty lineup, Makita’s DCV202ZL cordless heated vest uses an 18V (6.0Ah) battery that should give you an impressive 35 hours of runtime on the lowest setting. That’s an incredibly useful facet for you campers out there, but it’s just as confident for yard warriors when removing leaves from their lawns on crisp days.
Specs
- Model: Makita DCV202ZL
- Battery: 18V (6.0Ah)
- Washer- and drier-safe
- 4 carbon fiber core heat zones
- 4 pockets
- 2.4A USB power port
- Weight: 1.9 lbs (w/ battery)
On the control side, it features three color-coded heat modes: Red for High, white for Medium, and blue for Low. Additionally, the inner layer houses a fleece lining to lock in warmth even when you turn the power off.
Moreover, Makita made this machine-washable and drier-safe, which is handy for a piece of electric apparel. Just remove the battery and its holder, and you’re ready to go.
Makita Cordless Heated Vest Design
Now, you may be wondering what the heck you’re going to do with the vest’s battery. Frankly, that’s a good question. Makita thought of that, too. For example, they included a clip for belt storage. Furthermore, you can store the battery in your pocket.
That said, the DCV202ZL heated vest features four pockets that you’ll find on the left chest, the left and right sides, and the back waist.
On top of that, we think the 2.4A USB power port is a nice touch. Indeed, this enables you to charge mobile devices on the go.
Makita DCV202ZL Price
The Makita Cordless Heated Vest sells bare for $219 and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Makita has other ways of helping you tackle cool-weather work. Check out our coverage of the XBU07 Leaf Blower and Vacuum Mulcher!
