Thread: Digital Batteries

OK. Well I have managed to get it to power up again. The on/off buttons appear to be working again but the display is showing nonsensical figures. This leads me to believe it's that small rubber graphite pad that contacts between the pcb and the lcd. As you said Michael, I may have cleaned it to the point of it no longer being conductive in certain places, rendering the signal to the lcd useless.

I'll keep playing, it's already @#$%ed so it's all just a challenge now!

Edit: It's good to see someone on this forum tackling the big projects!
Simon

> So, they are rebadged Chinese callipers you reckon CBA?

Well, do an eBay search for "digital caliper fractional" and compare what you see for less than half the money with the M&W offering, then decide yourself.

> Why would I want to spend that amount of money on Chinese callipers?

I do not know. At least, M&W have still a good name to loose, so I would assume you get the the cream of Chinese caliper production - certainly not the bottom rejects. Also M&W may have a better warranty policy than your average eBay seller, maybe that is.

> Are they considered "good" Chinese?

Its the new generation of Chinese calipers, with coin cell to last one year. I have one of these since about 2 years and am happy, but I only paid under $30 with postage from US. Mine does not have automatic power-on, but the first battery lasted indeed over 1 year.

> What other "good Chinese" callipers can be had for similar or less money?

I do not know any. For me Chinese calipers are, well, cheap and expendable. I love them for abusing, where I do not want to ruin my good calipers, for scribing with the jaws, things you do not do with good calipers. For the equivalent of 70 pounds, you should find a basic Mitutoyo absolute on special somewhere.



EDIT:

like this new Miyutoyo model 500-196-20 for only AU$136 including postage from UK:
NEW Mitutoyo 6" Vernier 6" 150mm Absolute Digimatic Caliper 500 196 20 | eBay
If you read the specs, battery life is approximately 3.5 years under normal use with one SR44 battery.

Or this Swiss made Fowler/Sylvac 54-200-777-1 for AU$102 icl postage from US:
Fowler Sylvac 54 200 777 1 PRO MAX Electronic Caliper 0 6" 150mm | eBay

"What other "good Chinese" callipers can be had for similar or less money?"

G'Day Fellas,
I am a fairly recent convert to digital calipers, I put off the decision to purchase because couldn't justify the price of my first choice, a Mitutoyo, but didn't want a cheapie that goes through batteries like a kid in a cake shop, I considered the 3 volt lithium battery models from Anyi, Shen Han and Shahe and ended up buying the Shen Han because they happened to be on special at $27.00 posted at the time, although the seller said they would be posted without a battery due to Chinese postal regulations it turned up with 2 batteries in the hideous pink plastic case. Is the battery life up to the 2-3 years claimed by the seller ?, I have no idea, one of the supplied Chinese cheapy batteries has been running for about 8 months with daily use. Is it a "good" caliper ?, the construction and finish are pretty good to my inexpert eye but probably wouldn't excite the Etalon fanciers, accuracy is spot on when checked against my Mitutoyo micrometer standards.
Having a fairly substantial die cast display and battery housing it does feel a bit unbalanced and cack handed in use when compared to a vernier or dial caliper and it will never replace a micrometer for critical measurements but it's a fairly handy sort of jigger for quick rough jobs.

Disclaimer : Like all Chinese products I may have received the one in a batch of a thousand where they got everything right, your mileage may vary
Regards,
Martin

If I was in the market for digital calipers.... I'd go for these..

WOW. Mitutoyo 500-196-30 AOS Absolute Caliper; 0-6" ONLY $99.95

Or, I'd probably weaken and get the Mahr, ( I've already got 2 and love em )

Mahr Federal SPECIAL! 4103003 16 ER Caliper; 6"/150mm Range-Flat Depth Rod,Output

Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

If I was in the market for digital calipers.... I'd go for these..

WOW. Mitutoyo 500-196-30 AOS Absolute Caliper; 0-6" ONLY $99.95

Or, I'd probably weaken and get the Mahr, ( I've already got 2 and love em )

Mahr Federal SPECIAL! 4103003 16 ER Caliper; 6"/150mm Range-Flat Depth Rod,Output

Ray

Ray I have looked at those top ones often at H&F and the cheaper ones with the same background. To me I would say useless unless the battery is working as there is no fine line adjustment visual to read should the battery die.

Now these I could go for No Batteries required, just will need my other specs handy https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M108

Or maybe these https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M100#

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Ray I have looked at those top ones often at H&F and the cheaper ones with the same background. To me I would say useless unless the battery is working as there is no fine line adjustment visual to read should the battery die.

Now these I could go for No Batteries required, just will need my other specs handy https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M108

Or maybe these https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M100#

Huh? That's usually the case with all digital calipers, which is what you were asking about.??... but, note the battery life on those is 3 1/2 years and you never turn them off. If you wanted vernier calipers, that's another topic altogether.

Ray

I agree with Ray, both with his choice of alternative and wisdom behind the choices. I'm not familiar with the Mahr Federal calipers, but believe there may be a difference between in quality between the German Mahr (German) originated goods and the Federal (USA) originated goods, the latter now owned by the Mahr group. However I could also be talking out my clacker. If Ray says he has Federal and he considers it good, that's good enough for me.

At the risk of another member popping their pooper valve, on the back of my 4 hours sleep and infamously well worn Grumpy Pants™, I do have to slap my face a little with how people go about making purchasing decisions. Now just so there's no confusion, let me say from the outset that I honestly couldn't care less what others use in their workshops, to me it's immaterial, and I'm more interested in what comes out of workshops, than what goes in, and have no interest in pissing contests over who has the most expensive tool collection (that never gets used). Having said that, there have been a number of specific recommendations for specific models of modern calipers that members here have found to be excellent. Reputable manufacturers, where you can be pretty sure that based on personal recommendations and the manufacturer's enviable reputation in metrology, there's an excellent chance you will get a tool that you'll be very happy with and proud to use. Shop around and, as Ray has shown, they can be found for excellent value (BTW beware of counterfeits in this area). Money too tight even to buy them on special? I perfectly understand, I have 2 young children and family to support, and contrary to popular belief don't have my own personal ATM that just flicks 100 dollar bills at me on demand! So buy used, as many of us do. Before posting I didn't even try to shop around with cunning ebay techniques to find bargains, and a plain search found what look to be an excellent pair of used Mitutoyo Absolute 6" calipers for 60 bucks and change, plus postage. Despite this, not mentioning any names, nor trying to pick on anyone in particular as it's quite common and I see it often, some, having already bought a POS Chinese cheap tool that is destined for landfill, go out and replace it with another POS Chinese tool. But here's the thing I don't get ... it's the same price as a used quality tool

I'm genuinely interested in what is the logic behind this? Is it like buying the equivalent of a scratchy ticket? Why would you forego buying a known high quality tool to buy a lottery ticket?

Originally Posted by RayG

Huh? That's usually the case with all digital calipers, which is what you were asking about.??... but, note the battery life on those is 3 1/2 years and you never turn them off. If you wanted vernier calipers, that's another topic altogether.

Ray

Seriously looking at buy or going back to all analogue...............we have a wind up torch

Ray if you read my original post its what I said I am considering going back to analogue for everything I have which is now digital NOT just vernier but everything which requires batteries. Some things its impossible such as digital electrical tester/meter and torches although as I said I do have a wind up one handy.

At least with both digital vernier I have now I can read increments visually its rough and ready I know but at least its there should batteries fail.

Edited to add Ray My I think its a Stena? havent double checked but from memory I bought in he late 90's at Ag-quip off H&F not cheap back then somewhere round the $100 I think battery lasted some 5 years from memory since replacing it the 2nd time its lasted between 6 weeks and 6 months and thats with following the manual "Remove each time its put away between use"

Hi Ray,

Yes, I understand the logic, I've got my old vernier calipers ( and dial calipers ) in the drawer, but I exclusively use the digital calipers around the shop.

What I'm trying to say is that my strong recommendation, is to get a Mitutoyo (or Mahr) and see if you like it, I'll come back in three years time, and you'll still be running on the same batteries... There's just no comparison with the cheaper brands.

Ray

Hi,

Not much to input towards button batteries and calipers, apart from also backing the purchase of a Mitutoyo digital, even though mine is rarely used it's an absolute joy to handle every time.

Regarding people with issues towards rechargable AA and AAA batteries, I suspect that the best option is to look into LSD batteries. No, not something that makes you see crazy colours and things that aren't there, these are "Low Self Discharge" batteries, made to minimise loss at the cost of overall capacity. Quoted rates of loss are at most 35% of a charge, though it's common for them to only lose between 10~20% over the course of a year of no use.

I vouch highly for the Turnigy brand of rechargables (google should take you to the hobbyking store), and having a decent quality charger is worth considering also.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Ray if you read my original post its what I said I am considering going back to analogue for everything I have which is now digital NOT just vernier but everything which requires batteries. Some things its impossible such as digital electrical tester/meter and torches although as I said I do have a wind up one handy.....

Why is analog impossible with a multimeter? They still make analog multimeters. Really good ones and also cheaper ones. These are some good brands: Gossen-Metrawatt, Metrix, Kioritsu, Sanwa, Hioki. They still have their place, albeit nowdays mainly used in teaching and in certain unusual trades.

Torches without batteries are called candles. They still make them too. Maybe not ideal to check a fuel tank level. But unsurpassed for a cosy dinner with that special atmosphere. Bees wax candles smell the best.

There is no problem going back to analog, or at least skipping electronics. One big advantage is that you escape the "programmed obsolescence" cycle. A well looked after bevel protractor made 50 years ago is still perfectly usable today and will sell for good money. The electronic counterpart made 20 years ago is pretty unlikely to be still working today, and is worthless no matter how well looked after. That is also the key reason that the mechanical wrist watch is still that much sought after, whilst electronic watches are essentially worthless after just a few years.

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi Ray,

Yes, I understand the logic, I've got my old vernier calipers ( and dial calipers ) in the drawer, but I exclusively use the digital calipers around the shop.

What I'm trying to say is that my strong recommendation, is to get a Mitutoyo (or Mahr) and see if you like it, I'll come back in three years time, and you'll still be running on the same batteries... There's just no comparison with the cheaper brands.

Ray

Thanks Ray along with all the recommendations that have been given as the budget allows I'll be getting and additional unit. Will make sure I post when I do.

Originally Posted by cba_melbourne

Why is analog impossible with a multimeter? They still make analog multimeters. Really good ones and also cheaper ones. These are some good brands: Gossen-Metrawatt, Metrix, Kioritsu, Sanwa, Hioki. They still have their place, albeit nowdays mainly used in teaching and in certain unusual trades.

Torches without batteries are called candles. They still make them too. Maybe not ideal to check a fuel tank level. But unsurpassed for a cosy dinner with that special atmosphere. Bees wax candles smell the best.

There is no problem going back to analog, or at least skipping electronics. One big advantage is that you escape the "programmed obsolescence" cycle. A well looked after bevel protractor made 50 years ago is still perfectly usable today and will sell for good money. The electronic counterpart made 20 years ago is pretty unlikely to be still working today, and is worthless no matter how well looked after. That is also the key reason that the mechanical wrist watch is still that much sought after, whilst electronic watches are essentially worthless after just a few years.

cba I have seen 2nd hand ones and some real exy ones about will keep my eye out I had no long ago had to replace my 25+ yr old Multimeter dropped it once to often. Bought a cheapy to get me out of trouble at the time digital about $25.

plenty candls here they go into the woodturned candle sticks I make.

I have always been on the look out for a slide rule set stupidly I gave up learning to use it after leaving school. Maths and I are on different planets don't mean i am useless just not quick. I am classified as Maths Anxiety.

Hi all, thanks for the links to the Mits and Mahr calipers. I think I'll bite the bullet and purchase one of those. Hi Pete, Yes I agree wrt good S/H as opposed to crap new. All my good DI and DTI are S/H starrett, Baty etc. etc. I would consider S/H vernier too but it's one of those things where it can be difficult to determine what condition they are in. I must admit, I had not looked very hard for reasonable quality brands such as Mits or Mahr. It looks like I can probably afford one of those. I already have a cheapie (real Cheapie) Chinese caliper so I may adopt a similar system to others and use the cheapie for run of the mill day to day abuse and then break out the "good" pair as required. The "new generation" calipers that use the 3V lithium battery seem to be worth a look. 3 year battery life? You can't complain about that!!! Edit: Hey Grumpy Pete, no problems with the grumpy pants. Sure, your POV may be put across in a "robust" manor but the content of the information is always worthwhile! Simon