thanks for the post, Sam.
fwiw, I have one pair of "American Made" Starrett digital calipers - they sit in a drawer because they eat batteries, compared to new Mitutoyos.
Mitutoyo - the tool of choice. Then I also have vernier and some dual-dial (in/mm) calipers for locations where they may otherwise walk away. --no one walks-off with calipers that have to be
read beyond an LCD.