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I have both digital and dial calipers but far prefer the digital as I can zero at any point and its quicker to read. Problem is it is a Lidl product, so maybe not the best quality and it eats batteries at an alarming rate, even top quality types and the cost is getting prohibitive, so time to buy a Mitutoyo, but which one. I'm sure Dave (ovenpaa) would have an opinion.

I have two digital calipres, one Lidl one Aldi and both give exactly the same readings - I'm perfectly happy with these for handloading purposes - do you really need to go to Mitutoyo?

DW58 wrote:I have two digital calipres, one Lidl one Aldi and both give exactly the same readings - I'm perfectly happy with these for handloading purposes - do you really need to go to Mitutoyo?

Absolutely no problem with the accuracy of the Lidl item, just the cost of batteries. I turn it off religiously between measurements, but still the batteries give up the ghost in no time flat - a week maybe at best even if not used to any extent. Maybe it is faulty, I've had it a while and its always been like this. Maybe I should see if Lidl's still stock them and try another, but what I can save on batteries would soon pay for a Mitutoyo. How long do your batteries last in the Lidl product?

i've had all sorts, i still wouldn't buy a mitutoyo from my own pocket (they are lovely when work buys them) £120ish for something that £40 will do just the same job for what you need. if mine was starting to eat batteries, i'd go buy a different cheap one. as most ive used do not eat batteries.

one thing to do is to always switch it off when you put it down, they generally remember their settings and zero's. and also, if you always put back in its box, ensure the lid doesn't press any buttons as it shuts. as i did have one set that always seemed to have a flat battery, and it was just that putting it away turned it on. once i took out a bit of foam from the lid, batteries lasted forever

I use a Mitutoyo absolute digimatic CD-6"C. Best digital calliper that I have ever used. They can be had at reasonable price second hand from on line sellers.
I have been using Mitutoyo since the 1970s when I did my apprenticeship. They are the standard against which all others are judged.

I have a couple of the Aldi ones knocking about in my toolbox and the batteries seem to last an age and they are only cheap pound shop batteries you get in those multisize blister packs.

Take the battery out when you put it away. I don't even bother with the battery cover on mine, just pop the battery in, do the measurements then pop it out and put it away in the case. Think ive been using my Aldi calipers for about 4 years, still on the original battery! (Admittedly though i don't use it for long)

Wouldn't touch the Mitutoyos, had to bin my calibre and micrometer as they just ate up the batteries, I was changing them almost monthly.

Taking the battery in and out is a chew on and they don't have an off/on switch. Went back to my verniers and bought a good magnifying glass. Should have done that in the first place rather than dabbling with digital I knew in my heart of hearts that it didn't make sense.

My older Lidl/Aldi calipers is approaching ten years old and is still on the original battery - if you buy batteries from Poundland, ebaY or similar they only cost a few shekels.

I've had this Maplin one for about 5 years and it's on it's 3rd battery. Only gets he cheapest batteries too, bought a card with loads on from the pound shop.