I think for the CQ350 to be a success (if it does reach the retail stage) then they need to get the assembly people to care what they are doing. I've had numerous problems with my Stargate 500p. Almost all of which have been poor assembly. I'm on my second base unit and given up trying to get OVL to sort it so I've got used to dismantling it and reassembling it properly.
I would say though that I own 3 iOptron mounts (CEM25p, CEM60EC and now a CEM120EC) and they are beautifully designed and assembled and iOptron customer support is way beyond what I've experienced from Skywatcher.
It is good for the market that another manufacturer is possibly going to make a similar mount.
One quick add. I would prefer if the manufacturers would call the mounts "Compact English Mount" as that is what they are.