Unfortunately, the assumption that all chinese stuff is crap is *ALMOST* true. I have seen and have first hand experience with both using and selling chinese equipment and the failure rates are ASTRONOMICAL compared to almost zero of other parts of the world.
Just a very quick *NOT EXACT, BUT VERY CLOSE* "numbers" comparison of scanners. Since this is what we seem to be talking about mostly.
Over the past 6 years (almost 7 now) I have purchased for my *own use* 7 pairs of Cambridge scanners and 2 pairs of Eye MAgic scanners. I have sold approximately 10-15 sets of Cambridge scanners and probably about 5 sets of Eye magic scanners. These scanners are being used in systems ranging from ~1W to >30W. And to this day, i have not had so much as a phone call on performance, defective set, dying set or "sub par" set of scanners. EVERY SINGLE SET of scanners sold are still working as perfect as the day they were sold. Actually, ironically the only set that seemed to have an issue was a set I had and it was my own fault why one of the scanners died (aluminum shavings).
Now, i also own 3 sets of "Chinese" scanners. 2 are replacements (after about a yr and a half) of an older set. and 1 set is about 7 months old and so far, so good. I have also sold approximately 50-60 sets of "Chinese" sets and of those, I have had approximately a 70% failure/defect rate. Of which, the customer had to deal with the non sense of shipping back and warranty repair/replacement to China. Most of the time of which i would just pay myself to put the customer in a new set.
Of these defects and failures 1 of the problems was a SERIOUS safety hazard of which could have been avoided if the "Chinese" didn't exaggerate their specs and claims. Try shooting a "broadband 99% mirror" (which they are not) "Chinese" scanner mirror with 5/6+W of 445. Can we say, "melt?" And still have the scanners here to prove it.
OK, *ALL* Chinese stuff is not crap. of course i agree with that. But the biggest problem with "Chinese" stuff is we all enjoy and are spoiled (myself included) by the cheap price tags. Well, we cant have our cake and eat it too. If CT Scanners are $1500, they DESERVE that price tag. If a "Chinese" scan system is $600, trust me...they DESERVE that price tag (probably much less).
We can not expect "professional" (however you want to define that. im not going to get into a pissing match about that term) results from a beginner/hobbiest level scan system. No matter how you slice or dice it, 95% of Chinese laser equipment does not come remotely close in quality and safety to other parts of the world and their equipment.
If people are interested in exact numbers i would be more than happy to go through sales records for the past 4-5 years and compare warranty, defect and replacements of "chinese brands" compared to that of other manufacturers around the world. I can tell you with 100% confidence that the numbers would astound you.
-Marc