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Advice on Calipers

South Pender

I've been using a dial caliper for many years now and would like to upgrade to a digital. I've Googled Mitutoyo models and have found a bewildering array of their calipers, ranging in price from under $100 to about $2000. Does anyone here have a handle on the Mitutoyo line?

I'm wondering whether there are a lot of fake models being sold out there. For example, I looked at what appears to be a popular Mitutoyo model, the Mitutoyo-500-196-30 (link below):

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00IG46NL2/

Most prices for this model varied from around $160 to $200 Cdn. (or about $120 to $150 USD), but there were some sites with them for $60.

In addition, a model claiming to be the Mitutoyo 500-196-20/30 shows prices around $60 in all the sites:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07L89R6M9/

So is this latter Mitutoyo (500-196-20/30) a genuine Mitutoyo product (just at lower price point) or likely to be a fake?

Also, does anyone know which Mitutoyo model that Brownells has for sale (for $220); it's an 8-inch model:

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ols/calipers/digimatic-calipers-prod9148.aspx

Any thoughts on all of this?

Thanks in advance.
 
With mitutoyo there is a wide variance based on whether it is chemical proof, if it has the usb output, solar, calibration cert etc that can really drive the price up.

For general reloading the 500-196-30 is all you will need. If you are going to be using it in a machine shop it would be a good idea to get the coolant proof ones just so you dont get cutting oil ruining them.
You might get a bargain with that 20/30 and amazon should protect you if it is a scam but I cant really speak to if it is or isnt.

I got mine from MSI when they were on sale for 80 bucks a couple years ago, 109 no but ships free and is a better price than amazon. Though youre in canada so maybe not, no idea about how that would work.

https://www.msi-viking.com/Mitutoyo_500-196-30_6-Inch_Absolute_Digital_Caliper


That said, if you are trying to save money the igauging calipers are great too for 40 bucks or 50 something for the 8", not quite as solid feeling in your hand as the mitutoyo but still measure good and are half the price.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INL0BTS/?tag=accuratescom-20
 
spife7980 said:
With mitutoyo there is a wide variance based on whether it is chemical proof, if it has the usb output, solar, calibration cert etc that can really drive the price up.

For general reloading the 500-196-30 is all you will need. If you are going to be using it in a machine shop it would be a good idea to get the coolant proof ones just so you dont get cutting oil ruining them.
You might get a bargain with that 20/30 and amazon should protect you if it is a scam but I cant really speak to if it is or isnt.

I got mine from MSI when they were on sale for 80 bucks a couple years ago, 109 no but ships free and is a better price than amazon. Though youre in canada so maybe not, no idea about how that would work.

https://www.msi-viking.com/Mitutoyo_500-196-30_6-Inch_Absolute_Digital_Caliper


That said, if you are trying to save money the igauging calipers are great too for 40 bucks or 50 something for the 8", not quite as solid feeling in your hand as the mitutoyo but still measure good and are half the price.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INL0BTS/?tag=accuratescom-20
Click to expand...
I agree, plenty to calipers review on Amazon.
Ben
 
Digital is not an upgrade. There's no reason to buy more than you need. In what way is the dial lacking?

Absolutely true that higher prices imply benefits like working in a spray of machinist's milk which is vital for some but if you need it you likely know it. Connection to a DataMyte or statistical process control software again is something the user can expect to know when it's necessary.

My own primary digital calipers and micrometers are Starett made in the U.S. of A. (lots of Starett like anything else is rebadged and not made in the U.S. of A.) but they surely don't do any better job than a pawn shop find.

I like digital because in my middle seventies I can't read a Vernier and remember long enough to get the proper value but my digital readings are no better today than my Vernier when I had younger eyes and didn't wear lenses and loupes.

I'd be inclined to go ahead and buy from Brownell's figuring that I can always find the same thing cheaper or something better for the same price but the combined names tell me something from Brownell's is good enough and if it isn't Bob, Frank and now Pete will make it good.
 
cem said:
Digital is not an upgrade. There's no reason to buy more than you need. In what way is the dial lacking?

Absolutely true that higher prices imply benefits like working in a spray of machinist's milk which is vital for some but if you need it you likely know it. Connection to a DataMyte or statistical process control software again is something the user can expect to know when it's necessary.

My own primary digital calipers and micrometers are Starett made in the U.S. of A. (lots of Starett like anything else is rebadged and not made in the U.S. of A.) but they surely don't do any better job than a pawn shop find.

I like digital because in my middle seventies I can't read a Vernier and remember long enough to get the proper value but my digital readings are no better today than my Vernier when I had younger eyes and didn't wear lenses and loupes.

I'd be inclined to go ahead and buy from Brownell's figuring that I can always find the same thing cheaper or something better for the same price but the combined names tell me something from Brownell's is good enough and if it isn't Bob, Frank and now Pete will make it good.
Click to expand...

I prefer dial calipers myself, but for some few things, digitals are more convenient, and last longer. We have been through bunches of dial calipers in our shop, from cheap Chinese to Mitutoyo. The digitals, from cheap Chinese to Mitutoyo, have lasted. I haven't seen any difference, aside from price, between Chinese and Mitutoyo, whether digital or dial type. My recommendation: if you have not broken your dial caliper, keep it, use the money elsewhere for a real upgrade or to buy something you don't have.

Danny
 
I was just looking for a ew pair of calipers. I found that Mitutoyo is widely copied.. Lotsa fakes out there.. Look up the list of Mitutoyo authorized distributors and buy from them.. There is also a ton of material on the ol inter web about how to tell a fake. FWIW I still haven't bought a new caliper
 
I’ve had the Mitutoyo 500-752-20 for a few years and have been happy with them, they are a coolant proof model, good value for money..
 
I have Starrett, Old Brown and Sharpe, older mitutoyo dial calipers and a Jap set of Mitutoyo electronic dial calipers.

Every time I pick up one of the older dial calipers, You appreciate the quality, and I check them with gauge blocks from time to time, you learn to LOVE their quality.

Now that I have learned about the chronologically gifted eyesight calipers, probably should plan in advance, buy three to six so I can remember where to find one.
 
I have always used mitutoyo 8"&12" in the shop but recently got a 8" igageing and was impressed with the quality and use them at work but the electronics are slower than my mitutoyos
And even though I find they will give me good numbers if I wait a second I still find myself grabbing the mitutoyos or a mic to verify.
I still like them igageing but when you use them every day all day (for many years) you do see the lag in them.
 
It is like the comment I see here often regarding scopes, "Buy once, cry once". Buy the best caliper or mic which you can afford, and treat it like a precision tool, and it will last a lifetime.

Over 50 years in manufacturing have led me to believe that Mitutoyo makes very good measuring equipment, with more than needed accuracy for the type of measuring we do in reloading, and at reasonable prices.
 
Remember, if you go digital, the caliper isn't all you need. Buy spare batteries in pairs at the very least, as you will be surprised at how often you turn it on and get a blank screen. We will not bore you with how we learned this...... With some brands of electronic calipers, only installing the battery when you are going to use the caliper will significantly increase battery life.

We went back to dial calipers; the digital sits on the shelf. :)
 
If you have vision issues , then by all means lean towards digital , but the dial units are just as accurate as any digital . Bells & whistles don't make them measure any more accurately . I have a Mititoyo dial caliper , 505-637-50 that is roughly forty years old , and it is just as accurate now , as the day it was purchased . Used it for Aerospace Tool & Die , mainly carbide Die work , so as long as you treat them as a precision measuring tool , they will be accurate long after we are both gone . My "New" Dial caliper is a Brown & Sharpe , 599-579-5 and it's only twenty years old . Barely broken in . LMAO .....:D Regardless which style you get , purchase a Hard-case to store them in , and thank me later .
 
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