Having used this micrometer for 18 months I can say with absolute confidence that it is by far the nicest micrometer to use that I have - including my analogue Mitutoyos. It is fast, accurate and very easy to read. Light weight yet robust and easy to hold/use. NOTE: It has two modes when turned on. Press the on/start button quickly and it will bring up the previous session zero point (provided it has not gone into extended sleep mode from lack of use). Press the on/start button slowly and it will start with a new zero point at the jaw setting. Once you are aware of this feature it becomes an absolute pleasure to use. Battery life is excellent. Cheers Rob
A thousandth of a millimeter (0.001mm) is 1 micron! For shits n giggles, I like to measure my cigarette papers and marvel at readings of 17 microns (OCB papers thinnest in the world) or 32 microns for standard papers. These Chinese digital micrometers are actually very accurate and always give 100% true readings especially of my imp/met slip gauges. Anyway Bruce, nice interesting video, good camera work and narration.
A very useful review, thank you. The resolution of both micrometers is in fact the same when working in imperial as well as metric. On the earlier mike, the final half digit is displayed as a small '5' in the bottom right hand corner and is blank when it's a '0'.
Thanks for the info! Both of these micrometers perform extremely well, but the smaller purely digital one is the nicest to handle. Analogue or digital is just personal choice and the end result should be the same. Cheers Rob
Hi Geoffrey, I checked that this morning and you are dead right. I was a bit worried it would turn out to be a crude square section interface, but it is a beautifully made miniature spline. The whole unit is very well made. I moved the lever a few teeth on the splines so that locked position is now dead vertical, and it's perfect to use. Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers Rob
I looked at both digital mikes and eventually settled on the light weight digital only one. I DID get a battery in my box! Love it. Joss in Cork, Ireland.
Hi Joss, The instructions make mention of an "O" ring seal on the battery cover lid. Does yours have one ? Nothing on mine that I can see and the lid fits OK. Cheers Rob
Hi Rob, I've never owned this particular micrometer. But all the one's I do own that have the Mitutoyo style spindle lock, like this one has, are able to be adjusted. If it turns out to be like the other mic's you can simply set the lock on and remove the screw in the center, then pick straight up on the lever and until it clears the splined shaft it's attached to, then position it where you feel comfortable using it. The Mitutoyo's I have all work this way and I have a set of Fowler's, which I believe were made in China, that do also. Cheers
Thanks for the heads up Timothy. I will check that out. Just a few degrees to the left would make it perfect. I always enjoy comments on this stuff. Always learning. Cheers Rob
Both you guys are spot on with this. I checked it this morning and it has a finely made spline. Moved the lever to vertical in the locked position and it's perfect now. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers Rob
Thanks for the review Rob. The battery penny pinching might actually be related to carriers (aircraft) tightening their rules on transporting lithium batteries.
gentleman, testing a micrometer without using a guage block? how about a stack of feeler guage? the zeroing of the microns compare to the mitutoyo? none of these happen, it is not going to prove anything......
Polish made (30+ years ago) length standards for micrometers where always round ended to reduce paralel errors. They are fidly sometimes, especially the longer ones, but I think it was better design in the end. Thanks for all your videos - I learn something new on every one of them
I went to the garage to actually check them and have to admit that I misspoken. They have a flats, but very small one: 1-1.5mm in diameter, - they effectively have very big (rounded) chamfers. The smaller contact area means smaller parallel error if any.
I think there's an issue why they don't supply batteries because of shipping safety, guessing they come air mail and suspect that's why they don't supply them?
Hi Robbie, From the Pacific North West, {Seattle area} United States. Great review. Thanks for taking the time to share with us here in TH-cam land. Just curious, aside from the "Standard" you used not having 90 degree side(s), doesn't it mention anything about say 25 mil. @ 70 degree(s) and or @ 21.11111℃? I mention this only because I know that it is summer time by you. Don't think it would make a difference in this case, but I'm surprised that a good company like Mitutoyo does not mention it, or have it stamped on the standard. Just saying. Have a great day mate. :-) I have a couple of Starrett standards, and it is stamped on them. example 3/4" in. {19 mil} / 70 Deg. {21.℃}
Hi Dave, It does have 21C stamped on it as the standard. In real world measuring it makes very little difference when at 40C. I initially thought the same, but no, the difference is way too great. I was surprised to see the secondhand Mitutoyo 25 - 50 mm analogue mike was so far out when I checked it against the measuring block, but the tool maker I got it from had also realised the error and corrected it. Just goes to show that even supposedly quality gear can be out. Cheers Rob
Hey Rob, interesting video (as always!) It looks to me like the new micrometer is very similar to the Shahe unit. I've got a couple of Shahe items and they are incredible value for money I reckon! I'd be very interested in seeing you review some of their items. I got mine from "the other chinese website" from the official "Wenzhou Sanhe" shop. (Banggood don't appear to have them, but maybe I gave up too easy!) Cheers - Andrew
Hi Andrew, It sure does look a lot like the Shahe unit on Ali-express. I am able to review their stuff as well, but don't as they review all videos to make sure the content is "acceptable" to the seller. So don't expect any negative video reviews from there. Banggodd don't do any of that, all reviews are un-vetted, and negative aspects are quite OK. Obviously if the product was a complete lemon the reviewer would question if publishing it was a good idea, and discuss the issue with the store. This happened with a faulty product once to me, and Banggood de-stocked the item and contacted the supplier regarding it. So it looks like the review process not only promotes their products, but also enables them to vet their thousands of stock items - otherwise impossible to do. So it's win win win for everybody (BG, my channel, and potential buyers). Cheers Rob
Did I get it right that Bangood actually saw that you needed a new mic and sent you one? I was across the room and didn't hear everything clearly. If so, I find that remarkable. And by the price and quality, the world is obviously changed in a big way. The east has come a long long way in terms of manufacturing.
No, I asked them for another to review. Things are certainly improving in the land of cheap tools. Fitting out a DIY workshop has never been more affordable. Cheers Rob
I dont like measurement tools with batteries. They annoy me if I take them out of the drawer and the battery is empty and the spare batteries I keep are also flat and I have to go get some before I can use it again. Of course I would like the easy reset of the zero point. But I still rather use a purely mechanical device that ALWAYS works when I take it out. If you need better readability because of your eyesight then you can still get purely mechanical micrometers with a mechanical counter like the kilometer or milage counter on your car. These are easy to read, less prone to reading errors and also need no battery. Mitutoyo has a line of those. There are also no name brands in the lower price category with this feature. shop.vogel-germany.de/special-sale/counter-external-micrometer-25-50-mm-5542.html Make sure for metric users that you get counters with 5 digits i.e. 3 decimals after the point. They are a bit harder to find than those with 2 decimals and the third you still have to read from the lines on the thimble. Those really miss the point of having a counter.
I hear what you say Rol. It's all personal choice, and yes, I've always used analogue mikes over the years. But my eye sight is not getting any better, and digital readouts do help a lot as you get older. Buy a sheet of batteries for a few dollars and the device will never go down when you need it. Cheers Rob
Having used this micrometer for 18 months I can say with absolute confidence that it is by far the nicest micrometer to use that I have - including my analogue Mitutoyos. It is fast, accurate and very easy to read. Light weight yet robust and easy to hold/use.
NOTE: It has two modes when turned on. Press the on/start button quickly and it will bring up the previous session zero point (provided it has not gone into extended sleep mode from lack of use). Press the on/start button slowly and it will start with a new zero point at the jaw setting. Once you are aware of this feature it becomes an absolute pleasure to use. Battery life is excellent. Cheers Rob
A thousandth of a millimeter (0.001mm) is 1 micron! For shits n giggles, I like to measure my cigarette papers and marvel at readings of 17 microns (OCB papers thinnest in the world) or 32 microns for standard papers.
These Chinese digital micrometers are actually very accurate and always give 100% true readings especially of my imp/met slip gauges.
Anyway Bruce, nice interesting video, good camera work and narration.
A very useful review, thank you. The resolution of both micrometers is in fact the same when working in imperial as well as metric. On the earlier mike, the final half digit is displayed as a small '5' in the bottom right hand corner and is blank when it's a '0'.
Thanks for the info! Both of these micrometers perform extremely well, but the smaller purely digital one is the nicest to handle. Analogue or digital is just personal choice and the end result should be the same. Cheers Rob
hi rob,is the locking lever on a spline shaft,you could select a better position for the lever.
Hi Geoffrey,
I checked that this morning and you are dead right. I was a bit worried it would turn out to be a crude square section interface, but it is a beautifully made miniature spline. The whole unit is very well made.
I moved the lever a few teeth on the splines so that locked position is now dead vertical, and it's perfect to use.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Cheers Rob
Have been meaning to try one of these out, so ordered one, thanks for review Rob.
this is information that all of us can use..especially the newbies.....thanks for a nice and to the point video, thanks Rob......
I looked at both digital mikes and eventually settled on the light weight digital only one. I DID get a battery in my box! Love it. Joss in Cork, Ireland.
Hi Joss,
The instructions make mention of an "O" ring seal on the battery cover lid. Does yours have one ? Nothing on mine that I can see and the lid fits OK.
Cheers Rob
xynudu ...I'll look on Sat. and get back to you.
I got that red box one delivered today.. Tested with some M&W and Starrett standards and for the money it's not bad.
Yes, I much prefer it over the combined unit.
@@Xynudu Just found your channel mate.. Some good stuff on it.. I'm in the UK.. Have a gander at mine.
Looks good. Keep the camera rolling.
Cheers Rob
Hi Rob, I've never owned this particular micrometer. But all the one's I do own that have the Mitutoyo style spindle lock, like this one has, are able to be adjusted. If it turns out to be like the other mic's you can simply set the lock on and remove the screw in the center, then pick straight up on the lever and until it clears the splined shaft it's attached to, then position it where you feel comfortable using it. The Mitutoyo's I have all work this way and I have a set of Fowler's, which I believe were made in China, that do also. Cheers
Thanks for the heads up Timothy. I will check that out. Just a few degrees to the left would make it perfect.
I always enjoy comments on this stuff. Always learning.
Cheers Rob
I second this option, did exactly this when fixing my mitutoyo digimic recently.
Both you guys are spot on with this. I checked it this morning and it has a finely made spline. Moved the lever to vertical in the locked position and it's perfect now.
Thanks for the heads up.
Cheers Rob
I had wondered about that version. Useful review Rob... does seem to do very well.
Hi Chris,
The plastic put me off at first, but it is a nice unit to use. How it stands up to workshop use remains to be seen.
Cheers Rob
Mine loses it's setting after about 3 days so I have to reset zero - Is there a fix for this? (the one in the orange box)
Thanks for the review Rob.
The battery penny pinching might actually be related to carriers (aircraft) tightening their rules on transporting lithium batteries.
Could be. I'm not sure on that as you can still buy batteries through the post.
Cheers Rob
gentleman, testing a micrometer without using a guage block? how about a stack of feeler guage? the zeroing of the microns compare to the mitutoyo? none of these happen, it is not going to prove anything......
I really like the design and the position of the ratchet, I bet it's nice to use one handed
It's a sweet unit.
Polish made (30+ years ago) length standards for micrometers where always round ended to reduce paralel errors. They are fidly sometimes, especially the longer ones, but I think it was better design in the end. Thanks for all your videos - I learn something new on every one of them
Interesting point. That's news to me. Thanks for the feedback.
I went to the garage to actually check them and have to admit that I misspoken. They have a flats, but very small one: 1-1.5mm in diameter, - they effectively have very big (rounded) chamfers. The smaller contact area means smaller parallel error if any.
OK I see. I was wondering how you could centre them accurately on a dome end.
Thanks for the clarification.
Cheers Rob
G'day Rob. Now you can measure 0-25 mm 3 different ways.
I think there's an issue why they don't supply batteries because of shipping safety, guessing they come air mail and suspect that's why they don't supply them?
Hi Robbie, From the Pacific North West, {Seattle area} United States. Great review. Thanks for taking the time to share with us here in TH-cam land. Just curious, aside from the "Standard" you used not having 90 degree side(s), doesn't it mention anything about say 25 mil. @ 70 degree(s) and or @ 21.11111℃? I mention this only because I know that it is summer time by you. Don't think it would make a difference in this case, but I'm surprised that a good company like Mitutoyo does not mention it, or have it stamped on the standard. Just saying. Have a great day mate. :-) I have a couple of Starrett standards, and it is stamped on them. example 3/4" in. {19 mil} / 70 Deg. {21.℃}
Hi Dave,
It does have 21C stamped on it as the standard. In real world measuring it makes very little difference when at 40C.
I initially thought the same, but no, the difference is way too great. I was surprised to see the secondhand Mitutoyo 25 - 50 mm analogue mike was so far out when I checked it against the measuring block, but the tool maker I got it from had also realised the error and corrected it.
Just goes to show that even supposedly quality gear can be out.
Cheers Rob
Hey Rob, interesting video (as always!)
It looks to me like the new micrometer is very similar to the Shahe unit. I've got a couple of Shahe items and they are incredible value for money I reckon! I'd be very interested in seeing you review some of their items. I got mine from "the other chinese website" from the official "Wenzhou Sanhe" shop. (Banggood don't appear to have them, but maybe I gave up too easy!)
Cheers - Andrew
Hi Andrew,
It sure does look a lot like the Shahe unit on Ali-express. I am able to review their stuff as well, but don't as they review all videos to make sure the content is "acceptable" to the seller. So don't expect any negative video reviews from there.
Banggodd don't do any of that, all reviews are un-vetted, and negative aspects are quite OK.
Obviously if the product was a complete lemon the reviewer would question if publishing it was a good idea, and discuss the issue with the store.
This happened with a faulty product once to me, and Banggood de-stocked the item and contacted the supplier regarding it. So it looks like the review process not only promotes their products, but also enables them to vet their thousands of stock items - otherwise impossible to do.
So it's win win win for everybody (BG, my channel, and potential buyers).
Cheers Rob
Hey Rob, good video. I too was thinking the locking lever could be adjusted, glad it worked out. Always appreciate your videos! Stay cool.
Hi Ron,
It worked out well. Glad you enjoyed it.
Weather is a bit more tolerable at the moment, but some warm days ahead.
Cheers Rob
Did I get it right that Bangood actually saw that you needed a new mic and sent you one? I was across the room and didn't hear everything clearly. If so, I find that remarkable. And by the price and quality, the world is obviously changed in a big way. The east has come a long long way in terms of manufacturing.
No, I asked them for another to review. Things are certainly improving in the land of cheap tools. Fitting out a DIY workshop has never been more affordable.
Cheers Rob
I enjoy your review you do a really good understandable job. thanks.
Thanks for the positive feedback John. Much appreciated.
Cheers Rob
what you pay that you buy, Chinese products do not least long time...
I dont like measurement tools with batteries. They annoy me if I take them out of the drawer and the battery is empty and the spare batteries I keep are also flat and I have to go get some before I can use it again. Of course I would like the easy reset of the zero point. But I still rather use a purely mechanical device that ALWAYS works when I take it out. If you need better readability because of your eyesight then you can still get purely mechanical micrometers with a mechanical counter like the kilometer or milage counter on your car. These are easy to read, less prone to reading errors and also need no battery. Mitutoyo has a line of those. There are also no name brands in the lower price category with this feature. shop.vogel-germany.de/special-sale/counter-external-micrometer-25-50-mm-5542.html Make sure for metric users that you get counters with 5 digits i.e. 3 decimals after the point. They are a bit harder to find than those with 2 decimals and the third you still have to read from the lines on the thimble. Those really miss the point of having a counter.
I hear what you say Rol. It's all personal choice, and yes, I've always used analogue mikes over the years. But my eye sight is not getting any better, and digital readouts do help a lot as you get older.
Buy a sheet of batteries for a few dollars and the device will never go down when you need it.
Cheers Rob