I used to work for a Japanese company, and when my Japanese boss left to return to Oyama, he was cleaning out his desk. Came to me and handed me a vernier caliper. He thought I might be the only engineer who knew how to read one. I still have that one.
I agree you can easily get a wrong reading on a digital caliper if you fail to zero, but then you can read the dial wrong, too. And being able to set zero at any point is valuable. Plus the set I posted a link for reads 3 1/2 digits, and even on a one revolution dial, the digital is more accurate. And you can shift it from inch to mm with a button push.
But if you prefer a dial, Harbor Freight also has them in stock. Another advantage is that you don't need a battery.
See:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=5658I looked at these in the store. These calipers are nicely made. I know one company locally bought six sets of them, and had them sent out for calibration (often ISO requirements would require it). They spent more for the calibration service than the cost of the calipers. But they all met standard. Again, they are a bargain, and more than adequate for our hobby work as you say.
