I would pay more then 5-10 for a mabuchi motor if I had to as I feel they are good motors for rotary machines and one can last just as long as a maxon.The only reason why mabuchi motor are cheap as compared to others is that the companys work their people like slaves and pay them nothing and profit of them. I feel china can make good tattoo products as long as their is good quailty control by reputable people that care about their workers and the industry they work in.
know i don't think a machine should be price jacked up to 500 -600 and have a motor that does not cost alot in it.I could care less about names what maters to me is that the machines performance and price ratio are in balance.I dont have a problem dropping money if i feel its worth it. But just cause you throw a maxon in something does not make it star attraction!
It would be interesting to actually learn what type of profit off each machine, makers of autocad produced tattoo machiness make.