The dial calipers use a tiny rack and pinion. Two issues, one is wear of the rack down at the 0-1" area where it sees most use, the second and more of a PITA is tiny chips getting between the rack and pinion and making it jump a tooth. Many dial indicators use a tiny rack and pinion too and they work fine so the issue is not being able to keep debris out of the calipers. Some brands did a better job than others. Some put the rack on the back, some used a sliding cover as I recall ?? But I was very happy to leave them behind when the mit digitals came out.
Good old school satin chrome verniers work too.... if you only need to measure stuff up to 24" long now and then $55 is a great value.
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24" Heavy Duty Vernier Caliper-Stainless w. fine Adjustment & 4" jaw Depth #106-755
As long as it was made right to begin with it will always be right
. I ran a couple Cincinatti Hydrotel mills that had a vernier with lighted magnifier that worked for the whole 8' table travel...pretty neat .Even the smaller ones put away somewhere will let you measure stuff after NK hits us with an EMP
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Mitutoyo 530-312 Vernier Calipers
One does need to learn how to read them, I have done a few angular verniers too over the years and they are kind of neat too
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