Caliper Recommendation?

[pappasmurfsharem]

So I purchased a "$30" Harbor Freight digital caliper w/ coupon for $12 (was $19.99, but the people at my store let me use coupons on their sale items which is great)

It works great for pretty much anything under 3"

After that if you move "too fast" it goes wild from 5mm-30mm off

If you move extremely slow it CAN stay precise, but it hit or miss.

Is there any reasonably priced alternative in the digital arena. I would accept a dial as well but having to reference a chart would be such a pain.

[R.G.]

That one was defective. Take it back and show the store manager how it fails. He has the authority to replace it on the spot. Then test the replacement in the store.

I use the HF calipers a LOT. I have one I use most of the time for electronics stuff, one for the mechanical/machine stuff, and keep two spares. I love them.

[aion]

I use one as well and have never had any issues with it. It's certainly not built to last forever, but mine's not finicky at all.

[armdnrdy]

I purchased this caliper from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002JFMIO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I didn't have very high expectations for such a low price....but I was surprised when I received it.

It's actually a very nice caliper, and no problems in the year since I've owned it..

[pappasmurfsharem]

That one was defective. Take it back and show the store manager how it fails. He has the authority to replace it on the spot. Then test the replacement in the store.

I use the HF calipers a LOT. I have one I use most of the time for electronics stuff, one for the mechanical/machine stuff, and keep two spares. I love them.

So if you pull it apart quickly to greater then 4" and slide it back yours zeros again?

[defaced]

I agree - defective. 

I would accept a dial as well but having to reference a chart would be such a pain.

Dial calipers read out on 0.001" with one dial rotation indicating 0.1" of travel.  No need for a reference chart. 

[PRR]

Defective.

If it's past warranty, try cleaning the slide-stripe (whatever marks it is counting as it moves).

I still use a plain Micrometer for everything. The face-veneer on Home Depo's low-price birch handy-ply is 0.011" thick (three sheets copy-paper). 

[electrosonic]

If you go to ebay and search for "digital calliper" and then check "free shipping" and "buy it now" on the left column you will find decent ones in the $10 range. Looks pretty much like the ones sold on amazon.

Andrew.