Best value/quality digital caliper?

[Trav]

In the past, Mitutoyo has been an expensive but otherwise great choice. I absolutely despise the cheap HF type calipers that always have dead batteries, faulty displays and cheap plastic battery covers that break. So I purchased a really nice Starrett dial caliper. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost it.

Do you guys have any specific suggestions for a digital caliper that is reasonably priced, not Chinese and won't be dead when I go to use it?

The problem is now many of the real good tools are made in China or Assembled in the USA with parts from other countries (just another way of saying China IMO). Starrett is one of them in their under $400 digital line.
I have an older Swiss made digital Brown and Sharpe not a Tesa branded one which is claimed in machinist forums as now being Chicom, it is an excellent tool and battery life is good, about 2 years, it doesn't go dead in the box when in use.

Mitutoyo is still a good bet just make sure it is Japanese, the Helios-Preisser are also good and still German made. Personally with all this offshoring of brand names I would check ebay for a good used one, I have seen quite a few that were hardly used for short money.

https://www.helios-preisser.com/en/Products/Metrology/Calipers/Pocket-caliper/
https://www.boley.de/en/shop/181.digital-calipers/1838281051.sliding-calliper

 

[doitmyself]

I bought this one from Viking Tools about 5 years ago for general shop use. Good enough, but not so expensive that I am afraid to use it in an auto/ag./wood shop environment.

https://www.msi-viking.com/Mitutoyo_500-196-30_6-Inch_Absolute_Digital_Caliper $112 delivered. Be wary of counterfeits!

 

[DwightFrye]

I have one of the $20 Harbor Freight digital models. No issues with battery drain, but it often won't return to zero. It always reads 0.200" or adds 0.200" to the measurements. I always eyeball the analog scale to confirm or have to return the jaws to closed, reset to zero and measure again.

I wouldn't buy a used caliper or micrometer. When I was working for Tesla we spent a small fortune every year having all the tools checked for calibration and discarded those that were out of spec. It is surprising how often that occurred, and we are talking $500 Starrets and Mitutoyo tools. Often the tools had been dropped and may not show any damage. But that could be enough to knock them out of calibration. You never know how a used tool had been handled.

If I buy another digital model I will spend around $100 if possible, I just have little faith in the cheap ones.

 

[Job]

Along with a mint vintage caliper from eBay a couple gage blocks can be bought. I keep a 1” around for that. On the old vernier calipers there is rarely any error as it is an engraved scale. I got a Kanon plain vernier caliper and a Starrett satin finish micrometer when I started working in precision optics. Decades later both were still perfectly accurate. People think they are hard to use and they are until they are used a lot. That’s why I remember Kanon. Old Japanese company. I thought what is this junk when I got them, but they held up to years of loose abrasives and being thrown down on the table thousands of times. They both got stolen from my desk about 25 years later. I went to the lab stores and they had Scherr Tumico USA, and got those. Calipers are for rough measuring anyway, the next step is micrometer. I know when I use a digital one I am always rechecking zero.

 

[JHZR2]

As you said Mit.
But don't go digital.
I use the basic dial models for all serious measurements.

Agreed. No need for digital imo, though the ones that give fractions can be handy I think.

 

[billt460]

The problem is now many of the real good tools are made in China or Assembled in the USA with parts from other countries (just another way of saying China IMO). Starrett is one of them in their under $400 digital line.

This is true. I've heard that the electronic readers that the major brands employ, (Starrett, Mitutoyo, Brown & Sharpe), are all generic, and are made in China. When I was working in the aerospace trade, we had to have our tools recalibrated every 6 months. All of my cheap Chi-Com digital calipers calibrated just as well as my expensive Mitutoyo's did.

 

[NitroM3]

I do want a digital. As I can let it do the math. But I’m not a frequent user anymore. And I really don’t want to take the battery out after each use. That’s how I broke the battery door on every one of my Chinese calipers.

Hmm well for on the fly I use a Mountain Digital MTN5900. Sorry it is made in China. But.... mine is going on 20 years old and still works great. I can't say I ever had a battery go dead by none use and I am pretty sure when I am busy and frequently leave it on it still last a month or more. Besides it takes like 20 seconds to change the battery. I have see them in stores and for some reason they are not the same quality as mine? I have also compared measurements using my Starrett manual micrometer and the Mountain caliper is dead on. IKN but I am sorta picky about measuring parts and this Caliper has always worked very well.

I also have a STORM 3c101 none digital caliper but it is still NIB after 15-20 years.
And like another members said if it is super important project nothing beats a manual Micrometer for absolute measuring accuracy.

 

[Trav]

A couple I use frequently. The old Kern (top no dial) and another dial type get used the most. Some users prefer digital and that's fine no judgment here I do use them occasionally usually to double check something but the regular and dial types generally get used more.

 

[Job]

I thought what might HD have, and they have quite a few. These fit your want of battery off and also have a lifetime warranty through the store. I doubt they are made in Sweden.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-3-Mode-Digital-Fractional-Caliper-1467H/206007130

 

[Cherrybomb]

I really like the Fowler

 

[vavavroom]

I've been using UPM digital calipers for years. They were probably under $70. They are still accurate.

 

[Mr_Anderson]

I have a Starrett 6-inch digital. In my opinion, it's never been a good caliper. Now, it doesn't even work. Only about 6 years old. I also have a 12-inch Mitutoyo that I've used almost every working day since buying it (About 4 years ago). Wonderful tool. Would buy again.

 

[Zee09]

In the cold now. I don't heat my shop- not going to either but the digitals suck in the cold.
Have many brands and when in the 20-30F here now they are really flaky...
Dial for me today. Digitals are great but not today.

 

[Zee09]

I have a Starrett 6-inch digital. In my opinion, it's never been a good caliper. Now, it doesn't even work. Only about 6 years old. I also have a 12-inch Mitutoyo that I've used almost every working day since buying it (About 4 years ago). Wonderful tool. Would buy again.

They are not good. Had many just fall apart. Starrett is no longer quality.

 

[Astro14]

In the cold now. I don't heat my shop- not going to either but the digitals suck in the cold.
Have many brands and when in the 20-30F here now they are really flaky...
Dial for me today. Digitals are great but not today.

I’m going to humbly suggest that you reconsider that “not going to heat my shop” position.

I’ve got a 10,000 watt King garage heater (yeah, it draws about 50A at 220V, so, you’ve got to have the wiring) and it is soooo nice to walk into the shop on a day like today and leave my coat in the car.

I keep it about 65F. That’s pretty warm, but electricity is included in my (outrageously high) rent.

 

[Zee09]

@Astro14
You are right...
When I was younger the cold motivated me. I am cheap in stupid ways but i am in and out of my shop off and on. I just make something when an order comes in and no longer make anything just to have inventory.
But yes those machine handles are cold and no I do not dress appropriate either.

I am well wired and will look into that. My biggest fear is starting machinery in the cold...don't need any down time. Thanks!

 

[Gillsy]

In the past, Mitutoyo has been an expensive but otherwise great choice. I absolutely despise the cheap HF type calipers that always have dead batteries, faulty displays and cheap plastic battery covers that break. So I purchased a really nice Starrett dial caliper. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost it.

Do you guys have any specific suggestions for a digital caliper that is reasonably priced, not Chinese and won't be dead when I go to use it?

Made my living as a machinist using Mitutoyo Digital Verniers, and I swear to their accuracy. A very versatile tool.

 

[Dave9]

I've been happy with this Clockwise for the price, like that it uses a longer lasting CR2032 instead of 2 X LR44 button cells.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018D9JPPA

iGauging is another popular one, did well in a youtube shootout review IIRC.

https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-Electronic-Digital-Fractions-Stainless/dp/B001AQEZ2W

 

[martik777]

I've been happy with this Clockwise for the price, like that it uses a longer lasting CR2032 instead of 2 X LR44 button cells.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018D9JPPA

iGauging is another popular one, did well in a youtube shootout review IIRC.

https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-Elec.../dp/B001AQEZ2W[/URLI have 2 of those igaging

I have 2 of those, absolutely recommend over the cheap generic ones. Uses 2032 battery that lasts a year or so, just as good as the Mitutoyo IMO

 

[Zee09]

I have 2 of those, absolutely recommend over the cheap generic ones. Uses 2032 battery that lasts a year or so, just as good as the Mitutoyo IMO

They may be good...don't know but just as good as Mits. I highly doubt that... 2032 battery is great because it is a standard MB. computer battery. But I will try your suggestion.
Will know in 30 seconds...yeah I know... I will be getting lost. lol