I hate dial calipers, had to use them long enough in shop environment, I'd rather use a vernier scale than go back to those. I still have a 9" starrett dial and its been in the box for 10yrs.
Mitutoyo digimatics all the way, there are no such thing as squirrely readings with these from low battery or such, a battery lasts 1-3yrs in them and mine are on 24/7(from 6" to the 24" ones), unlike the cheap chinese units that eat batteries and are junk as far as I'm concerned.
the 6" Mit's usually go on sale around $150+tax a few times a year.