Pros
Excellent accuracy
Resistant to dirt, oil and water
Cons
Quality comes at a price
Doesn’t measure in fractions
Mitutoyo’s 500-196-30 0-6” digital caliper is a true quality measuring tool. Made in Japan, they have a measuring range of 0-6” or 0-150mm. These calipers are made of stainless steel and have a resolution of .0005” or .01mm.
They are advertised as having an accuracy of +/- .001” or .025mm. In my experience they are closer to +/- .0005”. This is a nice contrast to some of the cheaper alternatives that claim a better accuracy than they actually possess.
If you do require calibration documentation, you will most likely be performing the operation in house or through your normal calibration vendor. Long story short, if your using them for personal use then skip the extra cost and just check your zero when you go to use them.
They already come with an inspection certificate from Mitutoyo anyways.
Note: These calipers can be purchased with a calibration certificate if desired. Most people will get no added benefit from the extra calibration.
If you do require calibration documentation, you will most likely be performing the operation in house or through your normal calibration vendor. Long story short, if your using them for personal use then skip the extra cost and just check your zero when you go to use them.
They already come with an inspection certificate from Mitutoyo anyways.
This 0-6” caliper is capable of taking inside, outside, step and depth measurements like many others. It has a large easy to read display. Buttons for on/off, zero/abs, in/mm and origin are present on the face. Units can be switched from inch to metric in an instant.
Unfortunately there is no option for fractional units but most will find their application doesn’t require them. The zero position can be changed making comparison measurements easier.
Battery life is very good with this model. Mitutoyo claims a 3.5 year battery life with normal use. That sounds too good to be true. In reality the battery lasts a very long time.
The calipers come with a battery and if needed the battery is easily changed with no tools required. The battery cover simply slides off.
One thing of note is that these calipers don’t turn off automatically like other models so make sure to hit the off button when you’re finished. A final note related to the battery is that these calipers feature a low battery indicator to let you know when it is time for a change.
Unlike many other digital calipers, these ones are resistant to dirt, oil and water. Mitutoyo claims they are coolant proof. I wouldn’t recommend submerging them in anything but a light splash shouldn’t hurt anything. They come with a nice plastic case which protects them while not in use.
Verdict
I can’t say enough good about them. The Mitutoyo 0-6” digital caliper is a step above most of their competitors.
Amazing accuracy, excellent battery life and resistance to contamination that might affect your measuring tool makes for a reliable, dependable measuring tool. They are perfect for reloading, engine work or every day use in a machine shop and will easily stand up to all of your measurement needs.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Mitutoyo tools made?
Mitutoyo are manufactured in Japan and rival the quality of many American made tools.
How long is the Mitutoyo warranty?
The warranty on these calipers is one year. If you register your tool with Mitutoyo you can extend this to a total of three years. Definitely something worth doing.
What type of battery does the Mitutoyo caliper use?
The Mitutoyo 500-196-30 digital caliper and many others by Mitutoyo use an SR44 battery. A 357 battery is the equivalent by various other manufacturers and can be used also.
How to reset the Mitutoyo digital caliper
If your caliper is ever flashing or needs to be reset because of something such as a dead battery, follow these simple steps.
First close the jaws so they are in the zero position. Now hold the origin button. This will reset the display. Verify your instrument is working by checking against a known standard such as a gage block.
How to calibrate Mitutoyo calipers
To learn how to calibrate your Mitutoyo caliper, follow the calibration instructions in our Beginner’s Guide to Calipers.
What does the error code on my Mitutoyo caliper mean?
Check out this thread for a great rundown of all the error codes you might run into using Mitutoyo digital calipers. I have never used a set that has thrown a code other than one for the battery but just in case.
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