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

Im a mechanical engineering student. Im using this for various projects and in the machine shop. Despite it costing more than competitors, I think it was worth it. The absolute feature is nice, not having to keep zeroing it every time you turn it on. I think the battery lasts longer in these than the competition; everybody elses calipers are always fritzing out because of low battery, but not mine. Oh, and these were authentic; I did a fair bit of research on how to differentiate from knock-offs. I made sure to buy from Amazon as the seller. I feel like these are the last calipers Ill ever have to buy -- a lifetime tool.

I have been using cheap Chinese calipers for years. The difference between the Mitutoyo and the cheap Chinese calipers is night and day. The machine work of the Mitutoyo calipers is of a very high standard. Granted the price difference is huge, but after using the Mitutoyo calipers I can say the price difference is worth it in my case. I should have bought these years ago. Highly recommend Mitutoyo over anything else.

I’ve used these calipers and many other mics and tools offered by Mitutoyo in my career. They never failed me. Tough. They take the oily, dirty jobs you are work on.

I was concerned about receiving a counterfeit Mitutoyo caliper after reading so many reviews but I can tell you that these are genuine Mitutoyo. I used the same type for years as a machinist. Dont mess with cheap knock-offs. Buy these.

The difference between Mitutoyo and the cheap knockoffs are readily apparent the 1st time you use them. These are smooth and accurate and the fit and finish are very nice. They are pricey but you are paying for precision.

Incredible, accurate, bought in 2019 and battery still going strong in 2023. Probably been dropped about 50 times and still work just fine.

For years now, Ive used some cheaper name brand calipers to do my reloading projects at home and though I get a few years of pretty good use out of them, they always become inaccurate and gritty feeling, so this time, I elected to put in some extra coin and go with quality name brand calipers, and I wish I would have just gone this route before. Ive used Mitutoyo products in my profession for many years and they always hold up for long periods of time. The slide, readout, and accuracy of these are unparalleled when it comes to comparing them with pretty much anyones cheaper calipers. I can always trust Mitutoyo to be what Im looking for. Great price too!

My 50 year old Mitutoyo 505-637-50 (analog 6) finally broke. Mitutoyo USA answered my email request for service in an hour, but said they cant get parts. No complaints, it was 50 years old. Bought the 500-196-30 digimatic because it is metric/inches and analog was one or the other. (My 12 digimatic which is 40 years old works great.) Mitutoyo has a warranty and factory service here in USA. None of the $20-50 Chinese calipers on Amazon mention a warranty. The 500-196-30 was $107 and I expect it will last 40 years. Excellent value.

This caliper is well made but I find it measures exactly the same as a $20 unit from Aldi. So probably not worth the extra money.

I purchased this after reading up for a couple of days about calipers, how and when they should be used, and what to expect from them. I started looking after I came across a Starrett #231 micrometer and compared measurements with my $30 Chinese calipers. I was stunned to find they were 3 thou off at 3/4 inch, but right on at 1 inch! Rude awakening! Into the trash. I was then surprised to find that there are problems with counterfeiters. Look, all I want is a caliper accurate to a thou. Seems to be a tall order. I am slowly learning that it is worth buying quality tools, and the cheap stuff is an illusion. These cost 3x what I would have previously spent, and given the possibility of a counterfeit I was hyper critical when they arrived. These are the genuine article, based on the photos on the web, and from comparisons against the Starrett. The calipers came with paperwork that claimed this unit is good to a half thou across its full travel. They work smoothly, and are very repeatable. I had grown used to fiddling with my calipers - these simply work. Having no other reliable reference over 1 inch, I’ve decided to trust these until proven otherwise. As funds permit I’ll be getting 1-2, and then 2-3 inch micrometers, reputable ones, in the future. Stay away from the cheap stuff! I would recommend these to my friends.