Mitutoyo 500-196-30 ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper vs iGaging OriginCal 100-700-06 iP54 Absolute Digital Caliper

Mitutoyo publishes plus or minus 0.001 inch over the whole 0 to 6 inch range, ships an inspection certificate with every caliper, and claims about 3.5 years from one SR44 cell. The iGaging matches the headline accuracy figure for a fraction of the outlay and adds IP54 sealing and a data port, which is why it is the one most people should actually buy.

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper

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The reference 6 inch caliper: published accuracy of plus or minus 0.001 inch, an absolute induction encoder that never needs re-zeroing, and a battery life measured in years.

• Accuracy of plus or minus 0.001 inch (the metric models in the same series are specified at plus or minus 0.02 mm) is stated for the full 0 to 150 mm range, not just near zero.
• The ABSOLUTE electromagnetic induction encoder holds its origin through power cycles, and Mitutoyo states the maximum response speed is unlimited, so you cannot outrun it by sliding fast.
• Mitutoyo rates the single SR44 silver oxide cell at approximately 3.5 years under normal use, and an inspection certificate ships with every caliper in the series.

• This order number is the version without the SPC data output port; if you want to log readings you need the 500-171-30 instead.
• No IP rating is published for this model, so coolant, chips and washdown mean stepping up to the separate coolant proof order numbers such as 500-752-20.
• SR44 silver oxide cells are less widely stocked than the CR2032 lithium cells the cheaper calipers use.

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iGaging OriginCal 100-700-06 iP54 Absolute Digital Caliper

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Publishes the same 0.001 inch / 0.02 mm accuracy as the reference tool, adds IP54 sealing and an SPC/USB port, and runs on a CR2032 you already own.

• iGaging publishes accuracy per order number, and the 6 inch 100-700-06 is specified at 0.001 inch / 0.02 mm at 0.0005 inch / 0.01 mm resolution.
• IP54 rating for moisture and dust, a stainless steel frame, and an SPC/USB data output port that works with iGaging's own wired and wireless data kits.
• Absolute encoding memorises the origin zero, and the 3V CR2032 cell is the single most available battery format there is.

• IP54 is splash and dust resistance, not coolant proofing, so it is the wrong tool to leave in a flood of cutting fluid.
• Accuracy loosens to 0.0015 inch / 0.03 mm as soon as you go up to the 8 inch and 12 inch models in the same family, which is easy to miss when ordering.
• The catalogue does not publish a jaw hardness figure or an auto power off time for this model.

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Mitutoyo 500-196-30 ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper - The reference 6 inch caliper: published accuracy of plus or minus 0.001 inch, an absolute induction encoder that never needs re-zeroing, and a battery life measured in years. Choose the iGaging OriginCal 100-700-06 iP54 Absolute Digital Caliper instead if the hobby machinist, 3D printer owner or woodworker who wants a genuinely specified caliper and a data port without a premium outlay.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Digital Calipers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).