Ok got my solar caliper and not happy with it, doesnt auto off so once it gets charge and you put it away it loses all charge and has to be in direct light to work(dont ask me why Mitutoyo is retarded...) Found another Mitutoyo that is IP67 but doesnt have thumb wheel and found another one with no IP that has thumbwheel and is about $100 dollars cheaper. Is the IP really worth it if your just gonna be using your caliper and taking good care of it because I really have not been exposed to a real machine shop so I have no idea what it would go through and if IP67 is worth the money... BTW the Solar caliper is VERY NICE and SMOOTH and if it had AUTO OFF I would keep it.

Also like to stay with Mit because of the absolute encoders and if you wanted part number on the two im concered about here are the MIT part numbers

IP67 - MT5-00752H
Normal - MT5-00196M

EDIT - Not sure if those are MIT but they will work on J&L Industrial and MSC.

Found another Mitutoyo that has IP66 that is basically the same thing as the IP67 one only its about $40 cheaper and has thumbwheel and I really dont think I will need IP67 because I dont plan on dropping my caliper in a meter of coolant, water, etc.. for 30 minutes... IP66 can take water jets and I think that should be adequate but im still wonder if any IP lever is needed, thanks!
Thanks guys, appreciate the help

http://www.auto-met.com/newall/newall_us/4224.htm

this might help you, scroll to the bottom and it has a Ingress Protection Rating and Definition Chart

I know what the numbers mean.

I've been using 6 inch Digimatic Mitutoyo calipers for 15 years in a machine shop, and have never had an issue with contamination. I take good care of the tool, and give it a wipe down and tune up when required. The batteries last a long long time. I'm not into gizmo-tronic, so I avoid the cutting edge stuff until I see that it's proven itself.
Fowler makes a pretty nice caliper Eurocal IV, that sells for around $75. I like it because it also displays in fractions (1/64). Typically I keep my calipers for 2 years (+/-)
and then replace them.

regards