On Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:18:49 -0800, Winston
wrote:

Jeff Liebermann wrote:

(...)

Retch. A position sensitive on/off mechanism is prone to failure if
the device is parked in an unusual position. For example, if I put it
in it's protective case, and then toss it into my toolbox face up, it
will remain on.

Even if you stored the caliper 'face up' for a year,
it would cost you no more than if you had no
switch at all. Net net, battery life would increase
because, the caliper would be turned off for a far
longer time than it would be turned on.

This is what happens when we lose sight of the original problem that
we're trying to solve. The problem is that the calipers have a short
battery life mostly because they don't really turn off and secondarily
because the dropout voltage is too high to use cheap alkaline
batteries. Turning the calipers off (actually in standby) for a year
won't do much, when the operating current is 14.5uA and the off
current is 13.5uA.

It would also prevent me from using in the face down
position.

I was appalled that I can't use my blender
upside down too, until I realized that I never
have a need to do that.

You need to contact a product liability attorney, and sue for damages
resulting from inverted operation. Be sure to mention that there was
no warning in the user manual about inverted operation.

I've used calipers and other measuring instruments in probably every
orientation possible. If the calipers turned off while I was making
measurements in a contortionists position, I would be rather
irritated.

Please don't suggest an inertial on/off mechanism (shake to operate).
Bouncing around in my car will probably turn it on.

If you drive your car 24/365, you have much bigger
efficiency worries than a $1.00 cell!

True. Also, if I don't drive the car at all, I get an infinitely
large gasoline mileage. Both extremes are worthless. I non-cleverly
installed a "shake to unlock" (iShakeLock) application on my iPhone
3G. The standard method of unlocking the phone requires both hands. I
figured that one handed unlocking would be better. The problem was
that it kept unlocking in my pocket. Battery life deteriorated
rapidly. So, I dumped the app.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558