When buying tools for everyday use, I follow the 80/20 rule: you can usually find a tool that is 80% powerful for 20% powerful . Price. For digital calipers, this is just the thing. If you're a pro, you're probably losing $120 on a Mitutoyo. This caliper costs exactly 1/5 of that. What is it lacking compared to the gold standard? It doesn't have an absolute start (although I couldn't move it fast enough to require re-zeroing), and there's no data port to automatically send measurements to a computer. The knurled wheel wobbles a bit, but this does not affect the function. The keys rattle slightly, at first I thought it was an unscrewed screw. And that's it. Otherwise it does what a caliper is supposed to do. The jaws are nice and parallel. Once you zero it in, it's very repeatable. I tested the accuracy on my 123 blocks and it was perfect. All-metal construction is heavy and durable. If you really don't need an absolute data origin or port, this guy easily frees up the 80/20 track for non-professional use. I bought it as an upgrade to the plastic I use, with an accuracy of just 0.1mm and no thumbs. wheel or locking screw. The difference in quality you get is more than worth the extra $12.