Recommendations Needed - Calipers

[jds holler]

Like many above, I used dial calibers (Starretts) for years but I switched to digital calipers (Mitutoyo) because they can be zeroed at any point in their travel and thus give you instant true length readings from that base point.

I've gotta admit, that would be handy as hell. Guess a guy could do it with the dial type, but more of a hassle. jd

 

[Zero333]

I have 2 Mitutoyo's.

One Digital and one (very old) dial.
I prefer the dial one. It's much smoother and feels nicer to the touch.

If you need glasses (reading or otherwise), then digital might be better for you.

Just a heads up about cheap calipers. I have 2 cheep ones also... 1 digital and the other dial. The dial is off by 0.0015" compared to the mitutoyos. And the cheap digital is off by 0.0005"

If your using them for comparison (like shoulder bump), then the cheap calipers will work just as good as the expensive.

 

[wkdickinson]

+1 Mitutoyo - don't waste you time, money and effort with junk. After much frustration, wondering why things aren't "adding up" you will end up buying them anyway.

 

[holstil]

My preference, Bowne & Sharpe then Mitutoyo
If you prefer dial, look at b&s Etalon.

If on a budget, Igaging hard to beat.

 

[K22]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

The reason I specified dial is that I don't want to be bothered with batteries. The last one, albeit a cheap one, kept going dead on me until it finally went dead for good.