My old Hornady calipers are just about dead so I’ll need a new set ASAP. Been looking at Mitutoyo and Starett around the $120ish price range. Can anyone recommend something decently priced that they’re happy with?
Suggestions in digital calipers
- Thread starter clrems77
- Start date
Use this one every day for two years ... totally reliable and well made. Great price too.
I second the Mitutoyo recommendation. The $50-ish difference is a drop in the bucket compared to what we spend on reloading supplies and shooting gear. Since the caliper is one of the primary devices that will allow you to ensure consistent dimensions, I'd still suggest it at double the price.
Having said that, my second pair is from Harbor Freight and has done just fine, even though they feel cheap and rough. But it's hit or miss whether you get a "good pair" or a lemon.
Having said that, my second pair is from Harbor Freight and has done just fine, even though they feel cheap and rough. But it's hit or miss whether you get a "good pair" or a lemon.
I've been running my Starrett 799A-6 set for over a decade with only a few battery swaps... Excellent calipers! I highly recommend. 
Mitutoyo is also a great brand.
Mitutoyo is also a great brand.
I had a set from Amazon, igaging calipers and I didn’t like them at all, would work good for situations that you don’t have anything on your hands but I sold those and went on eBay and bought several used but like new sets of mitutoyos! $200-$300 sets for less than $120. Mitutoyos all the way!
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I am with this guy^^^^ here, for the simple reason that the fourth number behind the . is small. Not everyone is like me but having the 4th show up big has bitten me more than once if I am in a hurry. The 4th place number on a caliper is questionable whether it is usable or not.I've been running my Starrett 799A-6 set for over a decade with only a few battery swaps... Excellent calipers! I highly recommend.
Mitutoyo is also a great brand.
That said, overall, I do think the similar priced Mitutoyo may be a better product.
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Mitutoyo, Starrett, Brown & Sharpe (Tesa). With Starrett I have found the foreign made ones are junk. Been using the Brown & Sharp for several years and very high quality.
Mitutoyo is my go to, I have a few different sets (work and at home) and it's what the guys in our machine shop swear by. If you want to do some serious data collection though, Brown & Sharpe has some fairly budget friendly bluetooth ones that can input data to excel automatically.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
I bought the "solar powered", because all the crappy chinese batteries I could find for the Mitutoyo give up too quickly.
Does this solar model gather enough from ambient light inside to charge?McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.www.mcmaster.com
I bought the "solar powered", because all the crappy chinese batteries I could find for the Mitutoyo give up too quickly.
I have the Mitutoyo 6" and 4"' after a few sets from varying manufacturers on Amazon. Completely worth the money.
I can't measure headspace on the 4" unfortunately (300 PRC) but man I do love how maneuverable the 4" is at the bench for everything else.
I can't measure headspace on the 4" unfortunately (300 PRC) but man I do love how maneuverable the 4" is at the bench for everything else.
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