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

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

I have been buying calipers for several years and never this satisfied. Of course all others most likely were chinesiums. Some, I purchased and was very happy for a few days, weeks, months. Battery died within 6 months. I thought that was the norm, so I purchased a dozen batteries to keep as needed. But lately Ive done some research and decided to spend some hard earned money into this caliper and I am very happy. I also purchased one at half price on ebay 2 days ago, but had to cancel the transaction before the seller could ship. I first asked the ebay seller if this was genuine and made in japan, to which he said yes and yes. However, after watching several youtube videos, doing some more research and contacting the company, I asked this seller to please cancel the transaction before shipping it, which he did and I got my refund last night. This morning at 7.45am, I received this new one from Amazon and I was super excited to open it and see if all what I heard and saw was true. This of course feels terrific as was noticed by others. But feeling is not the purpose of this caliper. It sure does not even flicker the numbers like my others did. The numbers on the screen are distinct, and repeatable. All features are on point. I measured several items, inclding paper thickness of various papers. All measurements repeat exact same. I then proceeded to do the ampere testing with my Fluke multimeter. Sure enough, the usage drops considerably when off, not like the others that use almost the same current whether on or off, thus explaining why their batteries die so soon. Bottom line, although I spent a lot more money than the other calipers on this one, am I satisfied? Yes. No regrets at all for the first time, on a caliper purchase.

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.

Unsolicited feedback: With all of the fraudulent copy/knock-offs being sold online these days... I wanted to share with any potential customers that these Mitutoyo calipers are indeed genuine. These were purchased through the Amazon Mitutoyo Store and fulfilled by MSI Viking. Thank you!

I researched a number of digital calipers before purchase and made the conclusion that the iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6 Digital was a pretty good unit for the price. I also saw the most of the folks felt the Mitutoyo was top of the line, but may not be worth the additional cost - $95 vs $40. I purchased the iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6 Digital calipers but I am returning them because of the display, which I have not seen discussed on this forum. I also purchased the Mitutoyo calipers. When comparing the display on the iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6 Digital vs the Mitutoyo you very quickly see the reason for the price difference. I expected to find a quality difference between the two, but was blown away by the clarity, size and quality of the display on the Mitutoyo. (500-196-30) I cannot fault the iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6 Digital as it appeared to be accurate and pretty well made, but for a tool that I plan to use for many years, I decided the price difference was worth paying. Bottom line, you wont be disappointed in the accuracy of the iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6 Digital, but if you can afford the Mitutoyo calipers, go for it. For those that are concerned about fake Mitutoyo calipers, the one I ordered came from Amazon LLC, and the calipers came in a sealed package that had to be cut open. Not the box mind you, but the actual packing that contained the calipers. All the included paperwork, box battery etc. said made in Japan. I dont think for a second that the calipers I received were not genuine.

Constructed to last. Good accuracy

This caliper is well worth the money. I had some other brands, but they never last. You can not go wrong with Mitutoyo.

Ive used these for 20 years at work so Im very used to them. Now I have a set of my own! Smooth action, big readout, bigger than the older style, that resolves 0.0005 inch in five full-sized digits. Simple to flip to mm. Does not turn itself off (a good thing!). Super stable---maybe due to the submicron internal resolution? Great finish and fit. Thumbwheel feels good. Batteries, per catalog, state 3 to 5 years but I suspect longer based on past experience---and I have left them on over many a weekend! This is not not a review of a counterfeit. This purchase was fulfilled by Amazon and their inventory control is impeccable. These calipers came in a sealed bag with a piece of Ferobrite VCI paper. That was placed in the one-piece molded case. On top of that, stapled all together, was the Ferobrite warning notice, a notice of the launch of Mitutoyos Smart Factory solutions website, a fold-out manual with 11 languages, a small notice to wipe excess oil from the calipers, a China RoHS compliance certificate (helping them to Import into China), a reminder to recycle batteries for the EU (in 7 languages) ---and--- an SR44SW battery made by Saizaiken, Japan. Batteries last a very long time in a real Mitutoyo and, just to be sure this is not a counterfeit, I made some measurements: Current when on was pulsing 2 to 6 μA and when off dropped to a stable 0.5 μA: very good. When a Mitutoyo wants a fresh battery a B is seen in the upper-right corner of the display. I measured this threshold at about 1.40 Volts. If you dont heed that warning, a Mitutoyo will not give bad or unstable readings but will instead simply turn off. I measured this cutoff threshold at 1.3 Volts and the readings were dead-stable up the that point. Other things that tend to indicate this is authentic is a CE mark with compliant dimensions, surface finish marks that are parallel with the tool, ABSOLUTE molded into the battery cover and gold plated battery contacts.

the best in measuring

These seem like genuine Mitutoyo calipers. Functional, everything seems fine/new. Only 3 stars, because it was shipped in an envelope with no padding. It has a hard case, but it was probably banged around a lot during a shipping. Not adequate for a precision instrument.