Clockwise ToolsDigital Indicator with Magnetic Base Holder Stand, DIBR-0105 0-1 Inch/25.4mm, Inch/Metric Conversion, Auto Off

I purchased the Clockwise Tools model DITR-0105 dial indicator (without the magnetic base unit) primarily for home shop use and my gunsmith and reloading hobbies. The product features an easy to read display that has good "dark" numerals that don't "fade out" when viewed at an angle. The unit I have also reflects feature upgrades made by Clockwise Tools since some of the earlier reviews on this product were written. These include: (1) The unit now retains the previous measurement... even if the unit "auto powers off" during lengthy operation. (2) It now uses the thin "coin cell" LITHIUM batteries rather than the older style's thicker shorter storage life LR44 alkaline battery type. (3) The data connector is now a small USB type. (4) All of the display digits are "full size" (except for the .00005 value digit )", even when using it in "inch based" mode.The product appears to be very well constructed, and I am quite pleased with its accurate performance thus far...even MORE SO considering its very modest price compared to comparable products.What absolutely puts this Clockwise Tools item it in a league of its own however is the AWESOME Customer Service the seller provides. I come from a Marketing background, and trust me on this... any company in business that I know of would be thrilled to be able to truthfully claim that they provide Customer Service at the same level as Clockwise Tools. I had a minor issue when I received my unit (due to my erroneous interpretation of the product specs) that resulted in several back and forth e-mails with Clockwise Tools. The representative assisting me (Vick) was quite courteous, extremely knowledgeable about the product, and ALWAYS very prompt and thorough with his reply correspondence. Without boring you with details... he went far, far beyond my expectations, especially given the modest price of the product. In terms of my Marketing position and our Customer Support team, we always strove to create a "wow factor" with every interaction with our end-user customers experiencing product difficulty or requiring additional assistance...in this respect Vick "knocked it out of the park"!!!I was so impressed with this experience that I looked to see what other Clockwise Tools items are offered on Amazon, and should I need one... will purchase it with no hesitation whatsoever. I just wish they had an even broader range of items available!!!My only "complaint" is that while the unit ships with both a flat back cover as well as a (lug style), the case will not close with the lug style attached... my Dremel tool came to the rescue for modifying the plastic case, sufficiently resolving this quite minor concern. But....Clockwise Tools' obvious willingness to consider improvement suggestions made by previous purchasers, I suspect that Clockwise Tools is "already working on it", and I'd be surprised if the case's blow mold tooling isn't revised at some point in the future to accommodate the lug attached to the unit. VERY PLEASED WITH THIS PURCHASE!!!

When I just got the dial, I was a bit hesitant about it. It was just a digital dial indicator. I decided to get a digital one because it's easier to read it than the analog one. And I was glad to get one that came with a stand as well.Let me start by telling you that the stand is very well built. When I took it out of the box, I wondered how come it only had one tightening knob, since my analog one had one in each joint. Well this one only has one knob and when you tighten it in the desired position, it tightens the three joints safely and securely.In addition, the dial portion of the stand has an additional knob that allows you to do smaller adjustments up and down to set up the dial. And the magnetic base holds the dial in place and won't let it move unless you apply a lot of strength to make it move.I tested it out as soon as I had a chance. So I set it up in one of the spare transmissions I have for my truck. I measured the backlash in the transmission with my analog dial first and it measured 0.007" in backlash. Then I swapped the analog dial with my new digital one.Well, to my surprise the digital dial measured 0.0065". So I measured it at least 10 more times to make sure I was getting an accurate reading with it. And each time it read the same measurement.So I am glad I got this digital dial because it's easier to read and a lot easier to set up. And apparently it seems to be more accurate than my analog one.One thing I don't like is that although it came with the plastic case for storage, it is very tricky to place the base in the box because it doesn't have a specific cut out for the base to make it fit into place easily. But once you try turning it in many different ways, it fits nice and neat. Other than that, it's a welt built unit and is working well for me so far.Would I recommend to my friends: yes because of its ease of use and cost compared to other similar dials.Would I buy it again: most definitely.One thing I liked the most: the base having a single knob to set it in place makes it easier to set it up once you get it in the shape you need.Something I don't like about it: the plastic storage case it comes with it. It's tricky to fit it in place. But it's nice to keep it from getting damaged which is what you want to do nevertheless.

This is a great starter indicator, as you don't have to learn to read a dial and its easier to zero than a dial. Its cheaper than its competitors at roughly half to a third of the price of a mitutoyo. Its seems well made and is a decent size overall. However do not confuse this with a real shop tool like a starrett or mitutoyo. if you are looking for a cheap alternative to an industry standard, look elsewhere or go buy yourself a dial indicator instead.This indicator does exactly what it says, and because of that it lacks the critical accuracy needed for real metrology. When tested with a few references on a surface plate it was consistently off by .001". Considering that its stated accuracy is +/- .001 then it is exactly as described. However, the uninformed buyer will easily mistake resolution with accuracy. The truth is, if this is only accurate to .001 then there is no point in having extra digits on the display past this.In short, this indicator is precise, but not exactly accurate enough for critical work.Who this would be good for.1) a high school student or first year graduate with little money needing to buy a cheap indicator thats easy to use.2) a hobbyist that doesn't need .0005 or .00005 accuracy3) a woodworker who just needs to use this on occasion to set up a piece of equipment such as setting blades on a planer or jointer or setting blade or bit height. For that purpose its perfect as you dont need more than it offers.If you are setting up a 4 jaw lathe LOOK ELSEWHERE.

This is a good digital dial indicator. I'm a machinist 40+ years and put this through many uses with great results. Feel safe to buy. Great accuracy.