Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6/0 to 150mm Measuring Range, 0.0005/0.01mm Resolution, LCD

I have been using a dial caliper for hand loading for years. I recently decided get a digital caliper to make it easier to read measurements directly when using attachments on the jaws of the caliper. The first digital caliper I got was an inexpensive (~$25) instrument from a different manufacturer. That was a mistake. The inexpensive caliper was essentially useless for my purposes. Its consistency in reading was terrible. Frustrated, I decided to just spend the $ and get a good instrument (buy once cry once). I decided on a Mitutoyo 500-196-30 - I was not disappointed. What a caliper! Very accurate. Very consistent. Very easy to use. Very easy to read. Very good battery life AND uses a commonly available inexpensive battery. I cant find anything that I dont like about this caliper! I dont usually write reviews unless the product or customer service is extraordinarily good or extraordinarily bad... This caliper is that good - worth my time and my $ (and yours too!) Buy with confidence!

What is there to say? Mitutoyo is the gold standard. This was my first caliper, and I immediately checked its accuracy (perfect within the limits of what I can check). Ease of use is excellent: measuring inside, outside, or depth; metric or imperial; absolute or relative. The case is rugged and convenient. Unlike other calipers, this one doesnt devour batteries (solar obviously doesnt use batteries at all but does require that it sit out in strong light and is considerably more expensive). BE SURE TO BUY FROM AMAZON. Do NOT buy from a third party through Amazon. There are simply too many counterfeits floating around. Amazon is an authorized dealer and so your caliper will be genuine (other reviews on here will help you ensure authenticity when it arrives). This was the best deal I could find from a legit source. There are purists who want dial or vernier, and thats fine, but for a first caliper you want something that does imperial and metric and is a no-brainer to operate. My only critique is that Amazon doesnt make it easy to find genuine accessories. In my case, the shoulders for depth measurements. There are other very reputable brands out there, but for this product Mitutoyo is the default unless you have some compelling reason to grab something else.

I read a number of reviews that said other cheaper brands were just as good and there was no reason to pay more for a Mitutoyo. Bought the Mitutoyo and an iGuaging to compare. While they both may be accurate, the Mitutoyo has significantly better fit and finish, sturdiness, etc. Everything about it feels quality. Kept the Mitutoyo and the iGuaging went back.

These are nice tight calipers

This things amazing! Need a precision measurement tool? Want to buy something made in Japan with love by people who care about making a nice thing actually really really nice! ‽ This is the thing for you! Sure it’s a bit more expensive than the cheapy trash ones but you will definitely have this for a long time and know that you are measuring with confidence!!! 100/10 recommend.

This a very accurate, easy to read caliper. Im not a digital caliper kind of guy but this is one I dont mind using. I have a few Mitutoyo calipers and gauge blocks and they just make affordable, quality tools. I would definitely recommend spending a few extra bucks and buy these instead of the cheaper made in China crap. Youll be happier in the long run. The only con is the onsite memory is glitchy, doesnt keep the reading. Im not going to use that feature anyway so...I dont care. Hope this helps.

Was very skeptical especially with all the fakes. I bought through LLC Amazon, and after doing quite a bit of research I believe these to be real. There are 4 zeros before the decimal point when in inches, and 2 zeros before the decimal in mm, the finish is very nice, even the box is very sturdy. The battery is the correct SR-44 and comes in its own plastic packaging (in the caliper box), the zero button has to be held when you fit the battery, when doing this make sure you put squeeze them closed to ensure correct readings. I contacted Mitutoyo to ensure the certificate of inspection of genuine as the signature and stamps look to be printed on. They viewed photos of the documents and believed them to be authentic, I think Mutitoyo must be printing signatures now... I also saw a review of someone else which posted the photo of this card, and it had a different serial number to mine which is another indication the item is authentic. For the record my serial ends in 554 so chances are if we all have different serial numbers the item is authentic as they match the item and certificate. I hope this helps someone. Thanks.

First let me say that like other reviews here I did my homework and checked that my calipers were genuine. The mitutoyo tech support stated that Amazon is an authorized distributor and my calipers were authentic. If you buy from another seller on amazon buyer beware. All the other things checked out, fancy japanese paper, crisp packaging, no battery installed, high quality build. Also, the genuine calipers have a qr code that contains the model and serial numbers. They should match. As for using the calipers themselves. They are great. Checked accuracy vs my micrometer and they were spot on. Display is easy to read. Like most calipers they are easy to use, nothing special. Dont waste your money on junk, buy real calipers and dont regret it.

I was a little leery to buy an expensive caliper with all the other less expensive ones but my neighbor had one and I liked the way it worked. This is easy to use and seems accurate to me. The thumb scroll is easy to use and can do small increments as well as moving faster for larger ones. You can lock it in on a measurement and then compare it to anther item. You can also take measurement, zero it out, take another one that’s thinner or wider and get a difference. I didn’t think that would be useful but I used it the first day. It’s sturdy and well built. Uses a common battery which is easy to change. Overall it’s been a great addition to the measurement line of my tools. I recommend it. Spend the extra money for accuracy and durability.

Just what I needed. Arrived in excellent condition.