What do you do when the caliper with the longer measuring range also carries the lower price? That's the decision in front of you with these two Mitutoyo digital calipers for dimensional metrology machine inspection. One is designed for parts that exceed the other's reach; the other is defined by a specific model designation your procedures might already reference. Both are new, both are digital, and both support data output, so the difference really comes down to range, price, and model name.
Quick verdict
If you want the longest possible reach for your money, the 500-193-30 is the clear pick: it lists at $89.10, while the 500-172-30 lists at $153.30. The price difference is $64.20, and the more expensive model gives you less measuring travel. Choose the 500-172-30 only if the AOS ABS model designation is a non-negotiable part of your inspection routine.
Comparison table
| Spec | 500-193-30 12" Absolute | 500-172-30 8" AOS ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 89.10 | USD 153.30 |
| Measurement range | 12 in / 300 mm | 8 in / 200 mm |
| Caliper type | Digital Caliper | Digital Caliper |
| Absolute designation | Absolute | AOS ABS |
| Data output | Data output port | Output |
| Condition | New | New |
As the table shows, the extra cost lands on the shorter-range model in this pairing, so the added money is going toward the model identity, not more range.
Where each product wins
- The 500-193-30 wins on range per dollar: it gives you more measuring travel for a significantly lower listed price, and its description documents a precision of ±0.02mm (±0.001"), an LCD display, metric/inch conversion, and stainless-steel construction. If you measure mixed part sizes throughout the day, this is the one that won't force you to switch tools when a part runs long.
- The 500-172-30 wins on model designation: it is the one with the AOS ABS tag in its title, which matters if your inspection procedures are built around that specific part number. For quality teams that keep tool-number-to-work-order traceability, that makes the higher price easier to justify.
Product notes
Mitutoyo 500-193-30 12" Absolute Digital Digimatic
The 500-193-30 makes sense if your inspection work regularly takes you beyond the shorter model's reach. It offers the longer travel at the lower listed price, and the description adds a documented precision of ±0.02mm (±0.001"), an LCD display, metric/inch conversion, and stainless-steel construction. The limitation is that it doesn't carry the AOS ABS model designation, so if your quality documentation calls for that specific model, this one won't match the part number.
Mitutoyo 500-172-30 8" AOS ABS with Output
The 500-172-30 is the one to pick when the part number matters. Its title clearly carries the AOS ABS designation and the shorter format, making it easy to match to work orders that reference the 500-172-30. The trade-off is immediate: this shorter-range model costs more than the longer-range caliper, so you have to want the model consistency to justify the extra cost. For shops already using the 500-172-30 elsewhere, that consistency can be worth it. If your quality system already calls out 500-172-30 in its calibrated tool list, keeping the same part number across gages simplifies record keeping.
Final choice by use case
- For general inspection work where parts vary widely in size, choose the 500-193-30: it gives you more range for less money.
- For a standardized measuring routine built around the AOS ABS model, choose the 500-172-30.
If you often bump into the upper end of the shorter model's travel, buying the longer-range caliper now avoids a second purchase later. If you never exceed that shorter travel and your procedures cite the 500-172-30, stick with the model name.
