A sled drag racer recommended Max Power to me at one time and I was quick to conclude US Chrome was the only one for me. After researching Apticote 2000 I decided to give them a try.
The performance and workmanship results were alot better than my previous experiences. Only the scientists who develop these platings will truly know if they are the same, due to trademark rights. But I can tell you when I got my cylinder back, the plating looked different, felt different and sounded a lot different during break in than the Ni stuff.
Not trying to knock anybody, just posting my experience.