Are expensive Mitutoyo calipers really worth it over a $25 set?

According to specialist-community consensus on r/Machinists and r/Tools, Mitutoyo's Absolute Digimatic line is prized for long battery life (the encoder doesn't lose position when 'off'), repeatability, and durability over years of professional use. For casual DIY, 3D printing, or reloading, multiple reddit threads note that cheap calipers are 'accurate enough' out of the box, the gap shows up in fit, finish, longevity, and battery drain rather than headline accuracy.