Sam:

A dial caliper has to be read both on the length of the caliper, to get the multiple of 0.050" (0.05. 0.1, 0.15 etc) and then add the dial reading to get your measurement. Accuracy to 0.0005" - you read between the lines. The digital is just that, if the whatever dimension is between 1.2725" and 1.2735" the caliper says 1.273." Accurate to +/- 0.001 because you cannot read between the lines. There may be some that read to a tenth, but I haven't heard of any.

So, of the two, the digital is easier, the dial is more accurate.

Where the biggest inaccuracy comes in is "Feel." Until you learn the "Feel" nothing will give you great accuracy, but it's easy to get with practice.

If you don't want to go with the straight vernier get the dial for its accuracy. But if you want to "Wow" the Jones family get the digital.

Digital, dial, or "Verniah," none is heavy enough for a hernia.

Bill.

PS: "We" measure the stroke on the big ones the same way. wr