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

does what it is designed for with absolute precision...

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.

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.

Mine was legit. Watched a few YT videos to make sure. No red flags (no pun intended).

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!

Between these and Sterrett brand you cant go wrong. These are legit and not clones or copies. I got them for the ease of measuring Imperial and Metric. They are super accurate and work great.

As of this writing, Im eight months in and I grow increasingly happy with this investment. Im far from a heavy user of precision measuring devices. Because of that, the extent of my caliper investment was a couple twenty dollar wannbes. Their dependability was such that I avoided using them, except when there was no other option. Each time I wanted to use the cheap ones, I had to replace or install the battery. Now, with the Mitutoyo, I have no qualms about reaching for them to, for example, determine the inner and outer diameter of bearings for my pieces of equipment. Unlike the cheap versions I had in the past, these are ready to go with just a touch of a button. Regarding accuracy, these go well beyond anything I need, for what Im dealing with (bearing sizes, bolt sizes, etc.). SIDE NOTE: Going by information others posted, mine is the genuine article. P.S. I gave the other two, battery eating toys away.

the best in measuring

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.

Seems to be a quality set of calipers, only like the Japanese could pull off. Mine came with the battery that is stamped Japan and the writing on the back is white. Watch out for China ones with whiteish lettering on the back and a cheapo battery.