Digital Calipers

HunztheMighty

HunztheMighty

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Ive had some bad luck with digital calipers. They don't seem to last very long. Seems the plastic parts break or they burn batteries. Had a few that float and you cant trust the measurements.

I just found a new brand that I had big hopes for, Hardell. This one had every feature I was looking for and had pretty good ratings online (4.5/5). The display was huge (important for us old guys who cant see). It was rechargeable and I thought this would be great as I seem to have alot of problems with batteries getting stuck or dieing early in my cheap units.

Well long story short the Hardells pooped the bed. Used them till they ran out of charge, put them on the charger for the manual recommended 20 minutes but they wouldnt turn on. Waited a day and did it again, still wouldnt power up. Sent them back got a replacement. Exactly the same problem.

I have always wanted a pair of Mitutoyo but the price tag is a bit scary. On Graninger they are $434.00 Ive seen them on Amazon for $123.00 but Seems sketchy to me and I suspect they are knock offs. I went to Gregs distributors and they didnt have any nor did Napa. If I am going to spend that kind of cash I want to be sure they are genuine and want to try them out.

I am really curious to hear your guys feedback and or suggestions.
 
HunztheMighty said:
Ive had some bad luck with digital calipers. They don't seem to last very long. Seems the plastic parts break or they burn batteries. Had a few that float and you cant trust the measurements.

I just found a new brand that I had big hopes for, Hardell. This one had every feature I was looking for and had pretty good ratings online (4.5/5). The display was huge (important for us old guys who cant see). It was rechargeable and I thought this would be great as I seem to have alot of problems with batteries getting stuck or dieing early in my cheap units.

Well long story short the Hardells pooped the bed. Used them till they ran out of charge, put them on the charger for the manual recommended 20 minutes but they wouldnt turn on. Waited a day and did it again, still wouldnt power up. Sent them back got a replacement. Exactly the same problem.

I have always wanted a pair of Mitutoyo but the price tag is a bit scary. On Graninger they are $434.00 Ive seen them on Amazon for $123.00 but Seems sketchy to me and I suspect they are knock offs. I went to Gregs distributors and they didnt have any nor did Napa. If I am going to spend that kind of cash I want to be sure they are genuine and want to try them out.

I am really curious to hear your guys feedback and or suggestions.
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I agree, I use dial calipers for reloading, however I do have a 10" coolant resistant, Mitutoyo that I bought with a tool allowance at work. I paid $320 for it on sale, regular price was over $600. That being said, I just replaced the battery for the first time since I got it (over 6 years).

I have never replaced the battery in my dial caliper!! LOL
 
I have a pair of mitu that I bought off the EE about 6 years ago, excellent battery life ! You can forget to turn them off for forever.
Only issue I’ve got is when I turn them in I always have to reset them to zero as they’re always 0.005
 
Hey hunz
I have had good luck in that department i guess.. my hornady digital calipers have been problem free.. given that I pull the batteries out after my session. Also keeping my calipers in my pocket , warming the electronic might help out maybe.
Been looking at fancy ones also,
2 is 1 right...
 
I have digital from Princess auto or I guess Amazon now. Spend about $75 you’ll get quality. I like the ones with batteries, the batteries are cheap..,I bet I’ve bought two packs in all the years..maybe $10.
Keep in mind these are only for rough work. Measuring for fits still require precision tools.
 
If you want decent measuring tools that won't break the bank, look at accusize. We have some of their gear at work and it it is as accurate as mitutoyo or starrett( both of which i own myself). I have a cheap mastercraft digital on the reloading bench which works fine.
 
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The_Shmoo said:
If you are looking for calipers, honestly check your local pawn shop. There are usually a couple sets of decent Starrett and mitu at all of my local pawn shops, lots of old machinists and toolmakers hawking their stuff for beer money post retirement.
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more like stolen tools machinest don't sell there tools to pawnshops Ffs
 
nomad 68 said:
If you want decent measuring tools that won't break the bank, look at accusize. We have some of their gear at work and it it is as accurate as mitutoyo or starrett( both of which i own myself). I have a cheap mastercraft digital on the reloading bench which works fine.
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They charge a premium for chinese tooling.

I had both mitatoyo and sterrett in my trailer on the sunshine coast.... after 1 winter, my mitatoyo stuff had some surface rust and my sterrett still looked brand new. Food for thought.
 
There are lots of Mitutoyo knockoffs out there , they appear to be the real thing etc. and typically sell for bargain prices ….
Do your research to ensure you are getting the original product and buy from a reputable seller.


Typical knockoff…
IMG_6346.png

 
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