I am not a professional machinist that needs tools accurate to ten thousandth of an inch. I just need to check the size of bolts or hole diameters so I get the right stuff for my DIY projects. I also own a plastic version of the vernier caliper. It is to bendy and sloppy to be much good. This unit is a sturdy metal device that gives consistent and accurate enough readings for all my needs. I considered a battery operated read-out caliper. Then I remembered how many other tools I have with batteries that are all too often dead when I really need to measure something. These calipers won't go dead. For the price they are a real deal.