Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Seems to be a debate on which is the best to use and why. Any input would be appreciated

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I prefer digital because they are easier for me to read.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Analog either are or they aren't. It's pretty easy to tell, and if they "aren't", they can be adjusted so they "are".

Digital either are or they aren't, but it's a pain in the butt to determine, and if they "aren't", you toss 'em and buy a new set.

When I want to use my digital scale, I turn it on at least a half hour before-hand, so it had time to warm up and settle down. Otherwise it sometimes gives me wrong readings. Logic says digital calipers will work the same way, and when I want to measure something, I don't want to wait for the tool to warm up. I want to use it now.

And then, of course, there is no battery to die on an analog tool.

Learn on a vernier. Then when you switch to a dial it is soooooo much easier that you won't even think about messing with a digital.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Dial because the batteries never wear out.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Digital, easy to use, and easy to read. I have a $9.99 digital caliper from Harbor Freight that I've had for 4 years with no problems.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I have both dial and digital calipers. The dial ones are cheaper sets, either Midway (Frankford Arsenal now) or Harbor Freight, with one old Starrett that wasn't so cheap when the original owner bought it.
For digitals, I've got one Frankford Arsenal (cheap) and one Mitutoyo (not so cheap).

My cheaper ones (dial and digital) live in my portable tool kits but seem to be just as accurate as the spendy ones. The high-priced ones live in my shop where they don't get beat around out on the road.

As for dial vs digital...
As Rusty said, you don't need to worry about the batteries going dead with a dial.
The main reason that I use my digitals is when I'm measuring metric since I don't have a metric dial unit...but it is nice to be lazy and just read the LCD though too. :)
A digital is nice when you're measuring "absolute" too. Much easier to rezero them at a non-home position than a dial unit.
It boils down to personal preference I suppose. I'm not picky so I'll use either.

Note: I don't use metric when reloading...that's for other hobby and work-related stuff.

Now as for micrometers...I stick with the good old fashioned vernier style. these I do have in both SAE and metric.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Bindernut summed it up better than I could have. I use the digital most, but sometimes I will break out the dial just to keep my brain thinking a little.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

The analog kind of makes you think more and I like that. Kind of like my balance beam scale, it's nice to be able to read the older stuff. Plus I can use the old school anytime, anywhere.

The sad thing, I need to go buy a new analog caliper.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I have both, digital get the most use.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

+1 my digital has been in the drawer for two years with dead batteries. Been using the dial ever since.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

One thing that drives me crazy is when I set my digital calipers down they don't automatically shut off. So, sometimes when I am using them I will set them down and realize a day later that they are still on. It's murder on batteries.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I've had OK luck with the cheap-o digital calipers I bought, but I found a nice set of dial calipers in my (deceased) grandfather's old toolbox, and I use those now.

I just like the dial better.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Dial. None of my reloading equipment requires batteries or electricity for obvious reasons. But then again I have a well, two mules, a wood burner and a lot of toilet paper. I just can bring myself to corn cobs and magazines.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Ill take em either way. I have a fowler DIgital the worm here gave me and I lov eit. But I also have a starrett dial that I do love also.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I go dial. Dont have much use for the digital. Yes digital is faster to read, but i have been known to miss read them at such a fast glance, that i have scraped parts at work.:eek: Made wrong adjustments with the CNC mills because i read the digital to fast. I will stick to the dial you have to take that few Sec. to read them. Less mistakes in the reloading world as well. Safty first!

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Either is a fully acceptable tool more than capable of achieving the level of accuracy reloading needs....which honestly isn't that much for most of us.

I am very satisfied with my $12 Harbor Freight digitals and my very affordable battmanaz batteries for it (an e-bay vendor) just an example - 10 batteries for $2 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-CR2032-...item4ab152a62f

My tired old eyeballs appreciate the digital readout and for my needs it ain't rocket surgery. lol

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I'll stay with the dial version. Used them, or verniers, for forty years with out complaints, but I got some cutting oil on a set of digitals and that was it for them. Yes, I know they make them better now.

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

I like the digital. I'm too damn old to have to think so I just look at the screen and know the measurement right away .

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

It all boils down to personal preference. I have been using precision measuring tools for 50 years and I like to SEE the measurement on a dial rather than trust some seemingly random numbers pop up on a display. Plus there are no batteries to die and leak all over the battery compartment...:cool:

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

same here!

I do have a dial, and a straight rule.. but the digital wins for ease of use and tired eyes!

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

dial gives me a better visual when I'm checking a large batch of case OAL or whatnot; so dial only for me although for working on Toyota's, I plan on getting a metric digital to try out. But I do like not worrying about batteries...

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

i keep a dial in the house as a backup to the digital.. but I got a spare battery in a sealed blister pack too. as much power as they use.. I bet it goes a couple years before an issue..

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

Ya'll are too worried about the batteries dying. How much trouble is it to throw another battery in it? Price of batteries is so cheap if you buy them on eBay, about a dime each!!

Re: Calipers? Dial or digital and why
 

.. they make ammo out of explosive powder and primers.. and changing the caliper battery is an issue..

:)

I love it.. :) ;)

I'm cynical too.. :)