How many of you guys use the digital calipers and if so what make and model. I was looking into switching over to the digital. When I started finding out how many makes and models are out there. I decided to stop in here and ask the experts there opinions.

Tell me what you know guys.

I use a Mitatoyo for measuring. I have a Starret Dial caliper I use when comparing, The dial seems faster plus no batteries

None of my reloading equipment is digital.

I use a dial. Less batt. the better, they will run down when you least expect it.

I use the Midway brand,much prefer the digital over dial type.I'm still working on the first battery,4 yrs now,(and I'v accidently left them on for days)though they did include a spare.
Jeff

I have used both digital and dial calipers in both a machine shop setting and in my back room reloading. The old school Mititoyo dial calipers wins hands down.

ZM

Fisher,

We have a number of calibers around the workshop, both dial and digital.
It seems most of us prefer the dial type, as they are the ones most in use.

We have both Starret and Mitutoyo.

Thanks for the fast replies guys. It seems like the biggest complaint about the digital is the batteries. Are the dial calipers more accurate and faster. Or are they equal in those areas.

Zeke, why do you feel the dial wins hands down. Since you use them both in reloading and work. I would be interested in your answers.

Thanks Saeed, I have wondered if people just like the old school of thought. No batteries, less to go wrong. Not really whether one is more accurate then the other.

Thanks again for all the help.

[ 03-02-2003, 23:09: Message edited by: Fisher ]

I got the Mitatoyo coolant proof digital calipers becuase my cousin worked on the design.

I had used the $20 Midway dial calipers for years, and I was used to using them.

So now I have the digital in the shop, and the dial calipers in the reloading area and it seems to be working out.

I have a set of pin gauges and I can measure how accurate calipers are. By wiping off the jaw surfaces and being consistant with force, I can get more accuracy and resolution from my dial calipers if I wear my glasses and interpolate between dial marks.

The digital has the zero function with comes in handy allot. It saves me from subtraction in my brain.

I use both in the Six Sigma classes we teach, as part of an exercise on the statistics of measuring systems.

The battery issue is kind of a pain, alright, but not a big one.

My opinion is that beginners do better on the digital ones. They seem to have trouble getting all their significant digits accounted for with the dial type. Experienced people seem to do about equally well with either. I think after a little while, it is just a matter of personal preference.

My usual source is Harbor Freight.

Fisher: I use a Starrett digital. I think it's great. No more trying to read those vernier lines with my eyes. I don't have any problem with battery life, geez, it's got an on/off slide. One of the best features is the zero. It can be set at any point. I'm a stickler for cartridge length to the ogive and use competition seating dies. I seat a bullet,measure to the ogive and readjust the seating stem to the desired setting if necessary. I then measure to the ogive and hit the "zero" function on the calipers. From then on, I can measure to the ogive and be told how many thousandths I'm off. No more measuring & adding or subtracting. I use the same principal when I check for case length. Bear in Fairbanks

[ 03-03-2003, 08:44: Message edited by: Bear in Fairbanks ]

I have used a Mitutoyo dial caliper for years and recently purchased a Starret digital caliper. I still like the dial better.

Thanks guys for all your input. I really appriciate the information. I have used the dial calipers for several years now. I have had the urge to go digital for a while now. I suppose I will do what it seems everyone else has done. Buy one and see if I like it or not.

Thanks again for your help.

I use both a Mitutoyo 4" digital, and a 6" dial. I really like the 4" digital, but the battery died a few months back, after 4-5 years use, and I keep forgetting to get a replacement battery.

Definately get a 4" for reloading use, much handier to use, and there are very few times you need more range.

I'll say I'm "digitally green", but for the guys that remember(or care) Iwent through this exact same thing about a month ago. I bought a digital Mitutoyo - and love it!! This is after using a dial for 17 years - don't get me wrong, each has its' own place, and price is a bit different. This digital I ended up with will do everything my dial did plus some, and faster. Would I buy another dial? Probably. Would I buy another digital? It would have to be a "Minitoyota" - only because I can't pronounce Mitutoyo!