I feel I have looked, read and searched well enough,, I want to buy a brand I know that has been a good brand years past, I would buy a brand I never heard about as long as I have good proof I can trust that brand.
so I am very picky, because I do not have the money to choose wrong, and I don't want to have to replace them 3, 4 or 10 years down the road..
in the prices I want, both Brown & Sharp and Starrett's are made in China, well I rather not buy a set made in China, even if it has a good name on it,
so here is what I am looking at,
made in Japan,, but a bit more than want to spend,, price $141,, Penn price is $156,
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/62529482 $167,,
$167,, made in Japan
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06389100
personally I think I will get more quality if I buy Dial Calipers, my set are about 28 yeas old, the Dial would still be working today if I didn't drop them,,, twice LOL, yet I still do use them to compare some things, I can use my Mic with them, as I remember I paid $40 for them,,
these Dialed Mitutoyo seem nice, I like them, the ones in the 2nd link have a new springed gear system that keeps the gears at a higher tolerance,,
$118,, Brazil
Mitutoyo Dial Caliper, 0-6" with Purple Dial Face - 10-767-2 - Penn Tool Co., Inc
even better ,, $121,, Brazil
Mitutoyo Dial Caliper Series 505, 0-6" with Purple Dial Face - 505-742-52 - Penn Tool Co., Inc
Jim
it's a sad-sad thing that Saito doesn't make Calipers