Mitutoyo Calipers worth it?

[barnesuser28]

Since i have been extending my shooting distances i feel i need to take my reloading up a notch and upgrade from my cheap ($35) calipers to a mitutoyo, specifically this one http://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-ABSOLUTE-500-196-20-Stainless-Resolution/dp/B001C0ZPNO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358562006&sr=8-1&keywords=mitutoyo+digital+caliper i want to know if it will be worth it to buy the cheaper mitutoyo, or if you have to jump to the $250 models to notice a big enough difference in quality from the cheap $40-$20 calipers to make it worth the extra $75. My current ones when i close them the "zero" will vary by about .001 each way. Will mostly be using it for seating bullets more precisely and checking trim length. Thanks

 

[fredhorace77]

I agree with above post...I used a cheap $20 pair for years....then found an old set of B&S on ebay for like $60 shipped...I now use the B&S all the time...but simply because to me they are smoother and i like the slide feature rather than the thumb wheel...as far as accuracy goes..i cant tell the difference between the cheap ones and the B&S

 

[SS427]

I have a Brazillian $125 dial Mitutoyo, a $30 Chinese made dial Cabelas' model, and an on-sale $10 Harbor Freight digital Chinese model. They all measure the exact same. The Mituyoyo is a lot smoother and I like to hope more durable.

 

[barnesuser28]

I found one on ebay for $50.99 if no one else bids, i may just grab that one, yall better not steal it from me. LOL

 

[dansig]

mitutoyo is worth everything it costs, they are the best there is and not that much more expensive than the competition...

I bought a "regular" caliper and within a year it fell apart, bought the mitutoyo and it's built like a tank, accurate and smooth.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have starrett , mitytoyo, and brown and sharpe calipers. Buy the brown and sharpe, they make the finest measuring tools I have used.

 

[LHSmith]

mitutoyo is worth everything it costs, they are the best there is and not that much more expensive than the competition...

I bought a "regular" caliper and within a year it fell apart, bought the mitutoyo and it's built like a tank, accurate and smooth.

Perhaps this was true 25 years ago....but these guys who sell and repair instruments.....beg to differ....longislandindicator.com .....My money is on B/S also. As far as disparity in price.....Mititoyo ~$116 vs. generic brand from Sinclair ~ $36.....that to me IS much more expensive. Don't expect the good old days quality on bargain priced goods that are specifically build to an E-bay price point.

 

[barnesuser28]

so would you guys say this http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Sharpe-Stainless-Resolution-Specifications/dp/B005319L1U/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top over the mitutoyo i posted a link to earlier?

 

[JRS]

If you are going to lean towards B&S, the vernier caliper is the only way to go
The Mitutoyo will always be repairable. This is not true for the B&S.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[barnesuser28]

verneirs have really no use on my reloading bench, right now anyways.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

By vernier I believe he meant dial. These are the ones. Digital has no benifit one you get used to reading a dial.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002FTZL8/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

 

[barnesuser28]

Whoops, that makes sense, i was thinking of a micrometer, as you can tell, im not to keen on different meausering tools. :

 

[JRS]

I actually did mean vernier. Once you learn to read one, there is nothing as repeatably accurate nor as reliable. Unlike the digital and dial calipers, there is nothing to wear out or break. The B&S vernier would last you a lifetime and then some. Of course, they are not for everyone.

 

[LRPV]

If you are going to lean towards B&S, the vernier caliper is the only way to go
The Mitutoyo will always be repairable. This is not true for the B&S.

Good luck with your decision.

How do you go about getting the Mitutoyo repaired? Mine quit working (reliably) and I looked into finding a place to send it in and I couldn't find anything about it. It got to the point that the numbers would read all over the place, like 24.56" or whatever it felt like and it is only a 6" model. Tried new batteries and what not but it didn't help. This is a digital model but I can't remember the model, or where I put them for that matter. I replaced the Mitutoyo with Starrett 799 and even though they aren't as smooth, the battery lasts 10 times longer and they shut themselves off when I forget to.

Jason

 

[JRS]

Long Island Indicator Service. They are without equal!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I actually did mean vernier. Once you learn to read one, there is nothing as repeatably accurate nor as reliable. Unlike the digital and dial calipers, there is nothing to wear out or break. The B&S vernier would last you a lifetime and then some. Of course, they are not for everyone.

Agreed, but man I would have a head ache. I use a vernier height gauge, wouldn't want to do that all day though.

 

[JRS]

I hear you Alex ;D I have to wear reading glasses, so for me it isn't a problem.