Chinese 'Hybrid Closed Loop' steppers vs 'regular' open loop steppers

[clutchslip]

Newbie here, looking at hardware choices for the X and Z for my Boxford 240TCL update.

Browsing the variety of Chinese stepper motors on eBay. I've noticed that the prices on what they call 'hybrid closed loop stepper motors' - i.e. a package of stepper motor with encoder and control box - is now around the same price per unit as what I would pay for similar open loop models without the encoder which are not trying to ape a servo system. Equivalent NEMA 34 size units are around 30mm longer, accounting for the encoder.

Does anyone out there have any experience of fitting and using these (usually 2 phase) in preference to open loop equivalents? Bearing in mind the equivalent price, is this a worthwhile choice?

Many thanks in advance.