Digital Caliper

[charliedid]

Over the past 4-5 years I have purchased a couple inexpensive calipers to keep at home. Both sucked. Amazon etc. seems to sell the same item with 80 different names.

Suggestions on a moderately priced (under $50) digital caliper from those of you who know better than I, or do I need to exceed $50?

This is not a crucial purchase by any means, just curious if I could buy one more time and be done and what that price threshold seems to be.

Thanks

[RudAwkning]

I have the Feedback Sports digital caliper which has been rock solid.

[Dave]

Here's a link to one place that sells many brands. Mitutoyo was highly regarded 50 years ago when I started working in a machine shop.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/c/t...20-%20Calipers

I have two harbor freight digital calipers that were bought around 2013 and cost $10. They both still work. I don't make critical measurements with them. They shut off automatically and the batteries last a long time.

[kppolich]

This is my go-to for 3D printing and bike stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X8JQ8L5...t_details&th=1

There's a newer version too, but I like the old one b/c it's built better IMO
https://www.amazon.com/Kynup-Caliper..._title_hi?th=1

[ergott]

For second tier calipers, I'd recommend Igaging. I've read and seen several independent reviews vouching for them over the rest of the inexpensive bunch.
http://www.igaging.com/

Mitutoyo is expensive but I'm happy I invested in at least one model (8").

[FriarQuade]

This is what sits on my desk https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/62529482

This is what we use on the shop floor: https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/86487592

The difference being the floor models are IP67 rated, so they are pretty safe around all the coolant and chips that are abundant on the shop floor. The ones sitting on my desk don't need that level of protection.

We also have a few things from SPI, they've been pretty good but we don't like them quite as much as the Mitutoyo stuff, which is our default brand.
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/44706968

The other thing, digital is great especially when you use sillimeters and freedom units like we do. However if you're only using them occasionally and can live with one unit of measure, a dial set of calipers should be considered. Batteries aren't a big deal for us, we typically replace them about once a year and since all of our digital stuff uses the same 357 button cell we keep them around. But for occasional use, few things suck more than needed your digital tool and finding out the battery is dead and not having one.

Downside is the dial calipers are more complicated to make at this point than the digital ones, so for a comparable quality level you're not going to save any money and in some cases spend more for an analog set.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/37530615

Just some thoughts from someone that pretty much measures things for a living, hope it helps.

[rice rocket]

The cheap ones work okay, but they blow through batteries like nobody's business. You'll end up with cheaper overall cost and better experience in the end w/ the Mitutoyos, everyone should own a pair.

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by rice rocket

The cheap ones work okay, but they blow through batteries like nobody's business. You'll end up with cheaper overall cost and better experience in the end w/ the Mitutoyos, everyone should own a pair.

Yep, that's pretty common complaint about cheap calipers.

[Red Tornado]

Originally Posted by Dave

Here's a link to one place that sells many brands. Mitutoyo was highly regarded 50 years ago when I started working in a machine shop.
I have two harbor freight digital calipers that were bought around 2013 and cost $10. They both still work. I don't make critical measurements with them.

Originally Posted by rice rocket

The cheap ones work okay, but they blow through batteries like nobody's business. You'll end up with cheaper overall cost and better experience in the end w/ the Mitutoyos, everyone should own a pair.

If you don't mind spending the money, Mitutoyo is still the way to go. I've worked in manufacturing my entire career as a tool design engineer, process engineer and currently quality engineer, and all my places of employment use(d) Mitutoyo exclusively for calipers and also micrometers (digital & non).

[slosh415]

Originally Posted by kppolich

This is my go-to for 3D printing and bike stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X8JQ8L5...t_details&th=1

This looks pretty good and I'll probably pick one up. That said, I just have an old slide caliper and it's been totally sufficient for bike-related measurements like checking if an old bar has a 25.4mm or 26.0mm clamp diameter. Requires good close up vision, which is slipping away from me.

[scoobydrew]

+1 on Mitutoyo

I've had once since 2013 that I use nearly every day for work, but still on the original battery.

With that said, the cheaper ones work well enough especially for home use though.

[chrisroph]

Do yourself a favor and just buy the mitutoyo. I've had cheaper sets and find them generally unreliable and inaccurate. I've been using the $130 mitutoyos for many years and they are very much a pleasure to use.

[deluz]

I have Igaging and it works well, but the battery tray keeps coming loose which is annoying.

[truth]

I agree that Mitutoyo is the standard. I have an igaging that works better than the $10-20 calipers.

With Mitutoyo be careful where you purchase (like Amazon) as there's a thriving counterfeit market.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by truth

I agree that Mitutoyo is the standard. .

I would argue Starrett are at least as good and IMO better.

Digital is convenient, especially if you flip between units, but a dial is more elegant and requires the user to know how to read it, which is of course what this manual trans, mechanical watch, friction shifting fan prefers