This is a bit of a follow up/firstlight comment following the thread from iborg re OSC for a C8, in which I commented on my QHY8 Pro's attributes, specifically large APS-C sensor and pixel size.
I then ran across a YT video by Cuiv regarding OEM cameras available through AliExpress, etc:
https://tinyl.io/5XIm, which piqued my interest (too many cloudy nights at that time). I was interested in a CMOS camera to suit Hyperstar/C8 work, at which time I would consider selling my CCD QHY8 Pro to help defray the cost.
TCALSS, I went ahead and bought a blue coloured clone of the ASI294MC a couple of weeks ago on AE, and it arrived safe and sound last Tuesday. Service was excellent, with free UPS expedited shipping and full tracking. It took about one week and there were no additional charges at this end. Total cost was about $450 less than local vendors, all of whom currently quoted no stock anyway.
You can choose different sensor/pixel configurations on the AE vendor website, I went for a 19mm x 13mm OSC sensor with 4.5um pixels and inbuilt IR cut for a 10MB size, as it was a few hundred dollars cheaper and suited my needs.
So far so good, it works well with Nina but I'm still fighting PA with my AzEq6, so haven't yet taken any serious pics. Cooling and software are both good.
Couple of unboxing pics below for those who may be interested.
Summary opinion: As Cuiv and
https://tinyl.io/5XIr (German OP) say, much of the Chinese product these days seems to come from OEMs anyway, with rebranding feverishly occurring at vendors websites. This is one example.
Although saving quite a few hundred dollars and getting delivery of something that was apparently no stock in Oz, I also took the risk of shonky products, no local warranty or service and increased risk of shipping damage. Fortunately so far so good. Would I do it again? I'd certainly consider it, as sometimes the local prices on "box imports" just don't seem to justify the higher markups, considering the importers' far more favourable purchasing factors, but that's just my opinion.