just come back from maplin where i went in for some bits and saw these Digital Callipers at only £9.99.

come with a spare battery as well seam ok to me just wanted to let you all in on the bargin.

YQUSTA

The batteries go and then they are useless, which is like all the time.

I have 2 - you'd have thought I'd learn after buying one - so don't bother is my advice.

Stick to the old non battery vernier ones.

Just remember.. don't drop them or get ANY oil or water on it.

They're better than the Netto et al ones, their resin/plastic ones only measure to .1mm !

I thought they had watch batteries in the back, usually need a screw driver to take the cover off. I used these years ago and thought they were superb. Far less bother than the old type. Next it'll be ditch the calculators as the battery run down, use a slide rule!

There was a thread on this before and if I remember correctly the reason is that the screen doesnt switch off hence the batteries running down so quickly, I bought one from ALDI for a similar price and soon as I changed the battery it seemed that the new one was flat within a week, I have since boiught another for 29 quid and that does switch off the screen and the battery lasts for ever so it appears.

HTH

Bob

Eh???????????

They're a great little bit of kit. I was using my one less than an hour ago.

Yes the batteries go flat if you leave them on. But they come with a spare battery and changing the battery is a piece of pee.....

I just switch my off after use.... Same battery as when I bought it 3 years ago (only took the battery cover off to have a shoofty!!)....

just to clarify they do have an on/off switch so no battery problems unless your lazy

I've had one from Maplins for about 4 years now, used it a lot and still on the 1st battery.

I bought one very similar (can't remember where from - might have been a show) and it works fine, had it for yonks and batteries seem fine.

Cost me about £8 IIRC

As a comparison... I own a Mitutoyo caliper that cost me a small fortune ages ago. The manual says that the batteries will last 1 year if I leave it switched on, and recommend changing them every 2 years as a precaution against leakage and subsequent corrosion.

I've had it about 15 years, and changed the batteries twice...

Yeah I've got a Mitutoyo one as well, only changed the batteries in that once ever as well and not because it stop working it just got a little bit dim on the display.

Maplin one is a fair bit cheaper though

I have 2, one in the house for model making and one in the shop for Locost making, no problems with either, both about three years old. Bought from Canuk Tire.

My nephew who works at a precision engineering workshop made me laugh, they dont call the call the cheap ones verniers they are refered to as verynears!
I prefere my trusty old fashioned mitutoyo's , they'll still work after an EMP from an atmic bomb!

i have a mitutoyo digi micrometer and the battery life is useless. It seems like evry time i want to use it its flat and im diligent about turning it off too

quote:

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Originally posted by bbwales
There was a thread on this before and if I remember correctly the reason is that the screen doesnt switch off hence the batteries running down so quickly,

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