This Mitutoyo Model 500-196-30 6" Digimatic Caliper is a beauty. I had previously purchased a Mitutoyo 293-340-30 0 - 1" Digital Micrometer several years ago – which I love for its accuracy (measured many times against a Mitutoyo 1" 'standard' block), its repeatability, its resolution (down to 0.00005", its 'absolute zero' function, and its butter-smooth quality of construction and handling. I really like quality measuring devices and also have some classic Starrett instruments purchased over more-than-a- few decades (made in Athol, MA since 1880, now almost 145 years ago).
But I digress. The genuine Mitutoyo instruments are outstanding. Like many outstanding products (think Gucci, Rolex, etc.), Mitutoyo attracts imitators. There is a remarkable variety of counterfeits and outright fakes - some of 'reasonable' accuracy (but for how long?) – and some junk. Just Google the subject and see how easy it is to tell if you have purchased the genuine article - or a copy. Here are just a few of the ways I was certain I had received the "real McCoy":
1. Price: Real ones go for $120+. Fakes can be found in abundance on eBay for $39.99. Now the details.
2. Outer box is the 'right' color of orange (somewhat lighter, and not 'red-orange').
3. Diagonal stripes in upper LH corner of outer box are deep charcoal gray (not black).
4. Plastic case is well made and, clearly appearing in raised letters on the underside, is marked "Made in Japan." Counterfeits make no claim regarding their origin (guess) in this location.
5. Opening the box, the neatly arranged documentation is unmarked, flat / uncrushed by the little interior plastic 'hold-down' bars that keep the caliper in place when the case is closed. Not so with fakes, which typically come with wrinkled / crushed documentation.
6. Look at "Certificate of Inspection" - and in particular the "Serial Number." Is it crisply rendered, like all the other type, in the very same font, and in perfect register centered in the little 'box' where it appears? Counterfeits typically have this SN added later - and it is often somewhat fuzzy + not centered / different font.
7. Battery Card: Mine came with 'Mitutoyo' stamped on the card, with a realistic expiration date on the back, and 'SR44SW' + 'Japan' on the battery itself. YMMV with counterfeits.
8. When you insert the battery into its compartment, does the display come up with a string of flashing dashes, which go away and display '0.0000' only when you press the "Origin" button? Fakes often come up with zeros immediately – no flashing dashes first.
9. Origin button: does its top sit proud of the casing surface? Counterfeits often have this button almost 'recessed.'
10. Back out the lockdown screw on top of the bar. Is it captive? Fakes are usually not, and will fall right out into your hand if you unscrew them.
11. Look at the fixed bar in the area just under the "0" on the engraved scale. Is the cutout there (on this fixed portion of the blade) fully 'radiused' – or is it at a more abrupt right angle with little curvature? Fakes often exhibit that shape (this can be a somewhat subtle 'tell').
12. Turn the caliper over after rolling the thumbwheel out to 1.5" or so and look at the "channel" in the fixed bar. Is it perfectly milled out, with a well-defined semi-circle at the LH end? Counterfeits typically have a "ramped" and squared off appearance at the end of this channel.
13. Look at the end of the 'depth' bar. Smoothly circular radius, and short tip? Reproductions often show a rather longish tip.
14. Operation. Rolling the thumbwheel feels butter smooth. Fakes often have a 'gritty' feel.
These are just a few of the ways to spot a non-genuine pair of calipers. Not saying the reproductions cannot be fairly accurate (but again, for how long – and how repeatable are the measurements), and you may indeed feel you got your money's worth (at under $40). But when the price seems "too good to be true," it almost invariably is too good to be genuine.
Bottom line: if you care about such things, know that in this case Amazon is offering the real thing – and that it is of very high quality.
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- Measures 0 to 6" (0 to 150mm) in 0.0005" (0.01mm) increments for precision use
- Digital readout LCD shows inch or metric units for versatility when measuring
- Advanced onsite sensor (AOS) electromagnetic inductive sensor for resistance to dirt, oil, and water
- Measures inside, outside, depth, and step values for versatility. With thumb roller. Except 500-500-10, 500-501-10,500-502-10
- Includes protective case and SR44 silver oxide battery
(21,329)
$4.99
($1.66 / Count)
- 3 pack of 1.5V Silver Oxide Energizer 357/303 Batteries
- Ideal calculator batteries, key fob batteries, and medical device batteries
- Energizer button cell batteries hold power for up to 5 years in storage
- Zero-mercury batteries are a more environmentally conscious choice
- Count on Energizer for long lasting, reliable power
- Replaces a variety of button cell battery sizes, including 280-03, 280-08, 303/357, D303/357, SB-A9, SR 1154 SW, SR 44 SW, SR 44SW, SR44SW and WS14
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From the manufacturer
Features
Mitutoyo's absolute Digimatic Caliper is the next generation of electronic calipers. It keeps track of its origin point once set. Whenever turned on, the large LCD displays the actual slider position ready to start measurement. No more repeated zero setting is necessary with the absolute encoder technology, as well as no more concern for over speed errors.
- Large and clear LCD readout.
- The Zero/ABS key allows the display to be Zero-Set at any slider position along the scale for incremental comparison measurements. This switch will also allow return to the absolute (ABS) coordinate and display of the true position from the origin point (usually jaws-closed point).
- Data Hold Unit (959143) is optional.
- Carbide-tipped jaw type calipers are also available.
- With thumb roller. Except 500-500-10, 500-501-10,500-502-10.
- Supplied in fitted plastic case. Except 1000mm / 40” supplied in wooden case.
Videos
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Reviews with images
Purchased May 2020; Still On Original Battery; Made In Japan
I've been collecting calipers of various sorts for decades and have a drawer full of them. This Mitutoyo 500-196-30 6" has performed flawlessly for four years since getting it in May of 2020.Still on the original battery. I do turn it off manually, but that battery still powers the caliper well.I do miss the ability to see in fractions, so I keep an inexpensive HF Pittsburgh around, too.At first I purchased the 4-inch version of this Mitutoyo, but unless you absolutely need its smaller size, it's not comfortable to use because when open to 2 inches, the short end makes the caliper difficult to hold. The 6-inch model is the one to have, or the 8-inch.The Mitutoyo 500-196-30 was not zeroing, then I realized I had to close the caliper and press the "Origin" button. Now it always reads zero when starting out.Also, as you can see from the picture, the caliper's label reads, "MADE IN JAPAN." The Chinese have no qualms writing "Made in Jhapan" on their tools if it means more sales, so be aware. Check out "PSA: Identifying Counterfeit Mitutoyo Calipers - 2022 Edition." on YT for how to tell the fakes.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
Style: With Certificate of Traceability to NISTPattern Name: AOSVerified Purchase
Reliable and accurate! With free hat when registered!
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
I bought these for work. They are very easy to use and I love how easy it is to switch from metric to standard. Also note that when you register it on Mitutoyo, you get a free hat!
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
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Top reviews from other countries
Stuart T.
The real deal!
Reviewed in Canada on September 3, 2023Style: StandardPattern Name: AOSVerified Purchase
Jean-Pierre De Vogel
beste schuifmaat
Reviewed in Belgium on December 1, 2023Style: StandardPattern Name: AOSVerified Purchase
Walter Neame
Genuine Mitutoyo
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2023Style: StandardPattern Name: AOSVerified Purchase
Dilipbhai
Perfact accurate
Reviewed in India on June 29, 2023Style: StandardPattern Name: AOSVerified Purchase
Efrain Mendez
Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on March 22, 2021Style: StandardPattern Name: AOSVerified Purchase
