This isn't the cheapest digital caliper out there price-wise, but when you factor in a certain minimum level of quality that you would want from a precision measuring tool, the price of the iGaging EZ Cal is hard to beat. I didn't pick this on a whim, but chose it based off of various online reviews, and I can happily say that I wasn't lead astray.

I didn't actually expect to use it much so soon after purchasing it, but having opted to start design of a PCB yesterday, partially based off something pre-existing and available components, I've used it extensively already measuring various features and parts, and have been quite impressed overall.

So first things first: The case is quite nice with an easy to release latch. The hinges aren't part of the molding, but are made from a different material which presumably is something with low fatiguing properties and glued in place on each of the case halves. There is protective foam on both sides, as well as a foam cutout which snugly holds the caliper in place. A minor annoyance is that the cutout isn't glued in place, so I often partially pull it out when removing the tool. Not a big deal as I can glue it in place, but it would be nice if the manufacturer did. I wouldn't expect the case to hold up to too much abuse, but precision tools should always be handled carefully anyway.

The tool itself is quite nice overall. Perhaps not at the level of refinement of the Mitutoyo standard-bearer, but performance is good. It holds its relative position and tracks very well. Closing the jaws after various measurements, it always ends up back at 0 exactly. They're also quite sturdy because I can't force the jaws closed enough to drop below zero. The display is very large and super easy to read. I haven't used it yet, but I do appreciate the inclusion of the fractional inch mode.

There are two minor complaints as far as the caliper goes, and one of them is the thumbwheel. It's a bit sloppy and loose which is most notable during engagement, where rather than engaging the bar in between the two wheel ends, it actually makes contact with one of the wheel ends and then sloppily pops into place. It's not a deal breaker by any means, but it is an example of a lack of refinement, and something that I doubt would have any noticeable affect on manufacturing price if it was improved. The other thing is the depth rod, its groove, and retaining screw. The tolerances here seem a bit unnecessarily excessive, so the rod can wiggle around quite a bit when extended. Again, not a deal breaker, but there is room for improvement for what is otherwise quite an impressive tool at a fair price.

If my livelihood or hobby depended on frequent usage of a caliper, I'd probably go with a Mitutoyo, but for personal and intermittent use the EZ Cal fits the bill very well, and leaves enough money left over in my pocket to spend on some other types of tools.

These iGaging IP54 calipers have many good points. I've only used them for one day, so I cannot judge long term durability, or whether they are " battery eaters" . These IP54 calipers seem to be accurate, and repeatable. I've compared them to my venerable Mitutoyo 6 inch dial calipers, which I've used for 35 years. The very large LCD numbers on the IP54 calipers are much easier for these aging eyes to read than the dial on my Mitutoyos. I can reliably read to one thou. with the IP54 , while that's a challenge with the dial calipers. The need to read in fractions of an inch is questionable, since 3/4 inch lumber reads as 97/128 . ( Ummm...where's my calculator?) And the IP54 reads in mm too, which my dial calipers do not. One shortcoming of the iGaging IP54 does bother me, however. The calipers have poor balance, and don't feel right in my hand. They are very top heavy, toward the jaw end , and, the thumbwheel is way too far down toward the 6 inch end . My Mitutoyo calipers feel so much better in my hand. There's plenty of room to achieve good balance if they shorten that huge black block that contains the readout, but the designers of the IP54 apparently do not appreciate the balance feature found in high quality tools. In addition, when I hold the IP54 calipers, there are six sharp edges that dig into my hand, plus several sharp points. I feel like I should be wearing gloves to hold this tool. The Mitutoyo has no such sharp edges , even where my fingers have never touched it over the years. This again shows a lack of concern for ergonomics in the design of the IP54. But, I do like the easy readability of the large numbers, and my dial calipers are starting to make some small errors due to wear , so I'll probably start using these iGaging calipers as my first choice . Despite what I consider as flaws, these calipers deliver a lot of precision for the money.
EDIT- These calipers were so uncomfortable to hold that I spent 2 hours removing the sharp edges, and sharp corners, from the calipers. I used 220 grit wet or dry sandpaper, and a small sanding block. I did not remove the lower jaw assembly, but I always held the calipers so that sanding grit would fall away from the head end. I found that this job can indeed be done without damaging the calipers, but extreme caution and patience are required. Only enough material was removed to eliminate the " knife-edge" feel of those parts on my hand. No sanding should be done on any of the 4 flat main body surfaces, as those surfaces keep the sliding jaw aligned and tight. However, the sharp outside edges perform no function , which is almost always true of moving parts. The inside edges of the groove on the back can be sanded , since the groove performs no function , other than to contain the depth measuring rod. I used no liquids, as per the caliper instructions, but I did wipe the calipers clean frequently with paper towels. I found that sanding the edges where the thumbwheel contacts the body had no effect on the operation of the thumbwheel. Only the edges where my hand holds the calipers needed to be sanded. Now, after sanding the sharp edges, my IP54 calipers are comfortable to hold and use, and even the balance problem is not as bothersome . There was no effect on the operation or accuracy of the caliper , as I compared before and after measurements on the same items. Failure to soften sharp edges is often found on low priced tools , but seldom on premium tools.

Everyone eventually needs one of these. You need to know what size something is and a ruler won't cut it.

Like all calipers this one will measure from the inside or from the outside of an object. It has a printed scale but the digital readout is what you need. There are more expensive calipers but the difference in price isn't worth it unless you're professional machinist. For home / hobby use this is a good value and will meet your needs. This one is accurate and very well built. It comes in a padded hard case as well, but that should be expected.

Consider getting a machinists steel rule too. I recommend this digital caliper.

The buttons are too soft. I would like to feel a click when pressing them.

Ok, I know that on the lower-end, some of these calipers really can't hold zero or aren't repeatable, but if you hunt around, you can find really good models, like the 6" Neiko one I originally had... and lost... which led me here to this one. I knew the Neiko wasn't 'lost' as in 'gone' but 'lost' as in 'it's somewhere in my da*n (that's 'darn' for the censors!) house.' That's why rather than ordering a second 6" Neiko, I figured since I'd find that eventually, I'd try something new, with a larger screen. If it stunk, I'd eventually find my other unit (which I did moments after placing this order BTW!) and if it was good, I'd have a spare!

Simply put, this iGaging unit exceeded my expectations! ..by far!

The accuracy and repeatability on this thing stay within 3/100 of a mm (usually 1 and a lot of times 0 even on repeated reads sliding back the entire length of the unit without re-zeroing!) and the screen is gorgeously big! With the triple-unit-display... mm/in/fractional in just like the Neiko (and why I tried this one... once you use fractions, you never will buy a unit without them!) but much larger, I could read it from much farther away or at greater angles without having to move the unit making for more accurate measurements because of less movement.

Also, the action on the slider is buttery smooth with enough resistance that it won't move unless you want it to, but will effortlessly when you do. The edge- and depth-gauges are dead-flush. If you place this thing vertical on its head, the jaws are perfectly together and aligned and the unit is at zero with no play whatsoever, which is a lot more than I can say about other units. A nice-sized thumbwheel rounds out the design.

You really will feel like this is a hundred-dollar unit (if not more) and wonder how the heck they are making them this cheap. Sure, they may not be rated for oil and grease like those units are, but that aside, this is right up there with them in every other way (except one, below!)

So basically, the unit I bought to be a fall-back until I found my Neiko, actually replaced my Neiko, which now feels less in comparison.

If there was one complaint that I had--and the word 'complaint' is much stronger than how I actually feel--it would be the case. While it is sturdy, and I like the translucent gray design, iGaging likes to mold their cases so there's no actual 'bottom' to them. Just the shell of the mold. And there aren't real hinges on them, rather just thin plastic that will eventually wear out (and has on another iGaging Digital Indicator that I bought). The other thing is there's no padding in the case either. While it's formed to fit the device, there's still enough play that it rattles around in there. Granted, that's an easy fix with some adhesive-backed felt from a craft shop, but still, it's a shame that it's not there considering Neiko has their simple 'hollow shell' case with an actual hinge, and a form-fitted foam insert inside to protect the unit better than this one does, especially since again, you're really going to feel like this thing is a high-quality, precision device and you're going to *want* to protect it more for that very reason.

Still, the unit itself is just so freaking good that even with that case issue, it has no bearing on this still being a five-star review. I've got my eye on iGaging and will definitely be considering them over others. (BTW, their $30 Electronic Dial Indicator here on Amazon has the exact same quality... the unit is excellent... the case, not so much.)