Hey Lance,
yes, there exists Makita counterfeits that have real ER collets, e.g. the Carbide router. Of course a real ER collet is a huge advantage over a router collet and avoids the lots of issues of router not holding the bit.
Unlike ER collets, which clamp the bit shaft over a longer length and therefore much reliably, the Makita collet just clamps the bit on the beginning of shaft (see length of conical part on picture, it is extremely short on Makita):
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ER collet |
This would be a good justification for both tightening the Makita collet more than a ER collet and for having to loosen the Makita when not in use (strong clamping force on a small conical surface would deform steel more and earlier than on a larger surface)
Here a cleaning tool with leather stripes for cleaning the collet seat.
But a hand trim router remains a hand trim router. It is a specific type of motor with some disadvantages especially with speed control and speed/torque ratio at certain speeds and even dangers during use. See here for differences between hand router and spindle.