I've a couple of the 160's. The don't get used very often, but are a nice tool. Kind of little mini vises
As for paying for the name, I doubt that is happening. I'm more suspect of stuff from China for sure, but if its Starrett's plant in China, and if they're doing their jobs, there shouldn't a quality issue (an important "if" in there - they have had issues in the past). Your own plant in a foriegn country is a world of difference from sourcing something from 3rd parties in that country. I've manufactured there and get the shenanigans, but if you own the plant and dump enough resources toward managing it, like Apple does for example, the quality isn't so dependent on the location.
Keep in mind the size of the Chinese market and what that means for a global brand. I know manufactures who've gone there, not to save money on stuff shipped here, but to supply the domestic market. If you're a global brand, you cannot ignore that market and need to be there to succeed in it.
