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I have a good half dozen plus Mitutoyo verniers and micrometers used for different applications and the batteries least for months even if I forget to switch them off. None of my Mitutoyo micrometers have the on/off switches however as they were approaching GBP200.00 each I would hardly describe them as hobby instruments.

I still use Brown & Sharpe and Moore & Wright micrometers for larger stuff and as long as you maintain and look after your measuring device and periodically confirm its calibration there is no reason why you should not be using it in 50 years time.

One thing is to make sure you use Silver Oxide batteries in the Lidl version, not Alkaline as those do not last anywhere near as long.

I use nothing else but Mitutoyo verniers and micrometers for work and at home they all have on off buttons on them. I can not remember the last time I changed a battery on the verniers. I would not use any thing else.

I used my cheap ones to check my Mitutoyo calipers, they were spot on.

bradaz11 wrote:i'd buy new, never 2nd hand

so you confirmed they were as good as the cheapo's

I knew you were going to say that!

They are to a point, but a bit of pressure and the value starts to wobble in my experience.

I've got some second hand Mitutoyo kit, nice but it is very expensive new.

I don't need my metrology kit to perform over decades of heavy use in a pro workshop, which is what you're paying the extra for I suspect. Given my light hobby usage I've been buying Moore & Wright tools, and very happy with them. Don't know if there are better suppliers around but I've been ordering from http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/.

A

I also use Allendale Electronics Ltd (Machine DRO) from time to time and they are always very good to deal with.