I used to have a realy nice set of Fowlers, sweet caliper all day. Sadly, it met it's demise at the bottom of an electroylsis tank while it was in use! I now have two set's of the Harbor Freight ones, and while they are no where as nice as my Fowler set was, they do get the job done. It would be nice if they turned off automaticly, but when using them, its sometimes nice to have them stay on.
I still prefer the digital ones myself, although I have a 12" Starret set in a wood case that is the non-dial design. They have come in handy a few times, I think I measured the inside of a set of brake drums once with them! LOL