I am sure there are plenty on here who use the cheap digital calipers without a great deal of problems, me included.

I might add that just because it says Mitutoyo does not mean it is, there are a lot of fakes out there, especially on eBay.

Bottom line – you get what you pay for.

Or you could all use the one invented by Frenchman Pierre Vernier in the 17th Century. Much more satisfying.

Martyn

.

Robin,

There have been previous discussions on the forum **LINK**

MichaelG.

given that the Lidl ones I use as guesstimators have a three year warranty, you can't really go wrong at £7-50, but you still need a micrometer anyway. I only make stuff as accurate as it needs to be!

phil

Fake Britain on the tele – Its Head and Shoulders now !!

I bought some digital mic's over time a while ago Mitotoyo and M&W mainly because I thought I should. The Mitotoyo were significantly discounted. M&W full price, I couldn't find the same size in Mito at the right price. I recently replaced the M&W one with another Mitotoyo and advertised it on here. As far as I can check them all are fine. The last one I bought did come from a dubious source – ebay USA look what I have type thing and several of them. They went quickly. The battery was flat. This is one reason why they sometimes come up well below list price – same with a crazy Draper one I mentioned a while ago that I think some bought – I needed a mic of that size anyway.

My very 1st digital calliper came from an offers list that used to come through the post now and again. It lasted for many years and was very accurate but eventually the battery compartment started acting up even though they lasted a couple of years. Not being entirely happy with 6" I went for a mitutoyo 8". That was seriously discounted and just as accurate as the previous unbranded one. That one cost me £30, a lot when I bought it. At the time a very exotic item. It took months and months to arrive. Guess they obtained orders and then had them made. I'd guess accounting for inflation the Mitotoyo was cheaper.

Personally I think that it's best to have a sensible attitude about bargain prices. Part if too cheap and part exactly who is selling it. Works for me anyway.

What do I use most though – my 0-1 and 1-2 from training days both with verniers and a 2-3 but at this size there's not much difference between using a cumbersome digital mic and an ordinary one. I don't use my Kanon vernier caliper as I know both of the digital ones are as good. I also have a rather tarnished 30" vernier one, Super cheap and i have even used it a couple of times.

John

–

I'm happy that those that use these are in the main pleased with them,personally I only use the thimble type micrometers, 1"and a set that measures 1"-6" never liked the operation of digital types couldn't get the same reading twice just seemed inacccurate to me perhaps my technique wasn't very good

Mick

The reason people buy them is for the specification shown here which applies over the full range.

**LINK**

Mine hasn't got the data output. Cost around £85. I've had it over 3 years and changed the battery recently because I thought I may as well do it and was changing the battery in a Draper mic I bought.

My previous pair still work but the battery hatch has miss behaved at times and I wanted more than 6" of measurement range. I've had that one so long that I haven't a clue when I bought it. Sad the battery hatch is acting up because I doubt if I changed it more than 3 or 4 times and must have been a bit ham fisted once. The Mitutoyo hatch is more robust.

Actually for some reason I think the batteries don't fit properly any more it came with a spare and that and the one in it lasted a very very long time.

John

–

These are a good deal at the moment.

**LINK**

Its called progress, something the Chinese will eventually copy.
No need on IP66 or IP67 stuff.

Wish I could get my £7 Aldi Chinese calipers not to throw up constant spurious readings.