Duracell again, unfortunately!

[wizard69]

Exactly! And with the ubiquitous use of electronics in measuring instruments, a financial loss to corrosion is certain.

This is certainly true of Alkaline AA & AAA batteries. I’m not so certain of other batteries and would love clarification if some types leak more often than others. I’ve never have had a coin cell leak for example. Apparently the iron phosphate Lithium don’t leak either.

I find the convenience of instant zero, or the ease of absolute vs incremental movement is trivial compared to the risk of corrosion.

.
For me the more functions the better! However the reason I’m very inclined to buy digital these days is that they are easier on old eyes. Honestly I never thought I would say that but I use to wonder why the old machinist use to run around with magnifiers clipped to their glasses. Sadly 35 years later I know why!

I am gradually phasing into mechanical everything and don't consider it a step backwards at all. My mechanical height gauge can be set to zero anywhere I want.

I figure my mechanical goodies will be usable after the next nuclear war. Otherwise I will enjoy digital for as long as I can. I just need to be careful about what I buy battery wise.

[DrengusCraic]

Grandfather would put a small piece of rigid paper between the battery terminal and contact point in the device, usually a glovebox flashlight. He'd then attach a masking tape label to the case of the device with "paper" scrawled upon it. I found out about this trick because I finally asked Mom "what is wrong with Grandpa, he is labelling all kinds of things that clearly aren't paper as paper".

[NeiljohnUK]

Also has anyone ever seen a “coin” cell leak? I have a number of devices using these coin cells and so far no leaks.

Yes, though with careful cleaning we managed to recover the digital micrometer it'd leaked in.

[NeiljohnUK]

Grandfather would put a small piece of rigid paper between the battery terminal and contact point in the device, usually a glovebox flashlight. He'd then attach a masking tape label to the case of the device with "paper" scrawled upon it. I found out about this trick because I finally asked Mom "what is wrong with Grandpa, he is labelling all kinds of things that clearly aren't paper as paper".

Works to stop discharge, doesn't prevent the chemistry eating it's way of of the battery casing...

[Saltfever]

Unfortunately, my poor contractor stored his laser sensor here during the winter. These were new about 4 months ago! Notice the "Good-To" date of 2025! They keep cropping up everywhere.