I always wondered how these worked, but never took mine apart or researched it because obviously I wasn't wondering enough... But now I know it. So thanks for the explanation!

These do have 0.01 mm internal resolution. The 4 pads on the pcb are i2c (well similar), hook it up (there are libraries for decoding the data) and it reads out at 0.01mm it just never displays them on the lcd.

03:57 The contacts on the upper-right corner of the PCB can actually be used to transfer the readings to a computer through an adapter. It’s usually I²C, and it also supports external power, which solves the problem of the battery draining so quickly.

Calipers like these are handy, but the batteries are always dead whenever I want to use them. At first, I connected an AAA battery, but then I wired a momentary push-button to the original battery connection so I wouldn't forget to turn it off. It has been working perfectly for over two years.

Another good thing about the mechanical vernier caliper instead of the digital one is that at a workplace, people won't steal it because they don't know how to use it. I installed a real power switch on one of those cheap digital calipers that used to flatten its battery. There is another design of cheap digital calipers (with a different chip?) which doesn't flatten the battery, but it forgets the zero position every time when you turn it off (because it really turns off, not just blanking the display).

I made a "switch" out of the cover of the battery. If I slide it about 2 millimeters, then it cuts the current. Works fine for some years now.

Great video!  I love how you did not waste our time with filming the whole removal of screws, it was so good you kept those bits short - so many other videos drag it out and they forget that as an audience, we already understand screws lol.   Well done!

I have about 20 vernier calipers here (I was an engineer for 30 years).  I like the type with a rotating dial like a clock, it's easier to read and no batteries needed. The dial moves using a rack and pinion so it has to be kept clean but if they are looked after well it lasts almost forever. The cheap types with battery and sensor don't work when they get wet. The more expensive ones are rated IP67 and can work when wet too, for example in a workshop where there is coolant, oil etc. I keep all my batteries in a box then put one into the device when I need to use it. Last year I went to get a battery to use in a 12" vernier caliper to use when reversing some PCBs and they were all flat just sitting in the box never used lol

Its so simple and yet ingenious.

I just bought one! My old vernier one is still here to rescue though

Mitutoyo calipers go into an actual deep sleep mode when turned off, where they draw a single uA from the battery, and it will last years. Whereas 99% of Chinese calipers draw almost the same current all the time, the only thing that"turning off" does is to stop displaying digits on the LCD. This is one of the easiest tests of a fake Mitutoyo. But you can get cheap Chinese calipers with an extra digit of resolution.

I have pretty much this exact caliper at home and it is quite useful for my use cases 😅

Excellent DGW!

Thank you so much for this video ❤

Great explanation of the actual measurement method. I have a cheap one which flattened batts of course, so I made a switch by sliding a thin piece of plastic film (from  disposable food packaging) under the bottom of the battery from the right, my caliper has a gap between the housing and the ruler part. I have to put a tiny upward bend in the plastic each time I insert it or it will not go in, and of course I could lose the plastic shim, but the battery doesn't go flat now. I do have to reset it to zero with each battery connection.  The button control contacts in this one are prone to corroding, which means I have had to dismantle and clean them about every 5 years or so...
My Mitutoyo doesn't need any of this, it just is a much better thing altogether (with a price to match), though it still only has 0.01mm resolution, but I just trust it more. I don't remember when I last changed the battery either - 2010 maybe ? I use SR44 rather than LR44 batts (silver oxide vs alkaline) because the SR ones last way longer, and have a better discharge curve.

Pretty neat, thanks Dan.

I have one of those, and because I use it only once every few months, every time I get it, the battery is flat. Now I know it's a crappy design that keeps it on all the time.

Good explaination. Thanks a lot.

I have the same digital caliper, I remove the cell when not in use, I made a cell holder and use a 5V USB AA AAA Charger to charge the cell that was supplied, for the last 4 years and still recharging no problems recharge for 1 hr, giving 5hr use before needing recharge.

Thanx for explaining