I definitely agree with DaveG55 and J.T.D. on this. its a very broad topic lumped into one vague thread.

I'll tell you one thing, a "knock-off" in the USA could be very competitive in another country merely based on parts support. I've seen people bash a-tech minis as knock-offs, but in Korea, they stock a lot of upgrades in store to the point that its really competitive. I am referring to the xmb4 and xmt-4 1/18th scale r/c's.

Even the "Leo-X" has been called a knock off of the Venom Mini-giant. But in actuallity, they are the same truck. Venom just has the rights to distribute the truck under its brand name. Same thing with Anderson, duratrax, yokomo, and lrp in regards with their 1/18th scale r/c's (i.e. the mb4/vendetta/shark). So we are definitely walking a fine line on this subject.

In the end, parts support is what really matters. Its hobby grade if you can effectively find parts support and upgrades. What may be "hobby grade" in one country may not be in another...