I played with the Vocas MFC-01 today and it feels great- very solid and I love how searching for focus becomes much less noticeable. This unit is a major assault on my bank account though... (around 1K)

I realize that there are no cheap alternatives, just less expensive ones. Hope I can save a few bucks and still get that same solid feeling.

Anyone have a viable alternative?

not sure how you use the camera or what lenses... I shoot alone and often use DSLR lenses so the Zacuto Z Drive has worked out great.... its curved so you can have it in a shoulder mount position (forward and down) or aiming back when on a tripod, its fluid damped so DSLR lenses have some resistance making it much easier to nail focus and the way it slides on its mount makes it much easier to connect to the gears on smaller diameter lenses.

Thanks, Ray. Do you use the Tornado as well? Looks weird but really comfortable. (haven't seen many of these in the field. Wonder why ;-)

I just the follow focus, I think if I did more shooting from the shoulder I would probably buy it (even though it looks ridiculous) would be nice to be able to set the camera on the ground without it tipping

Yes, I thought about not being able to lay down the camera with that ice cream cone sticking out... but it turns out you can disconnect the cone real quick. It seems well thought out.

actually the cone would make it so I could set the camera down... just place the control grip opposite

Without the cone I can't set mine down, it rolls to the right off the follow focus

Do you trust that cone to hold the weight of camera plus accessories? Do you have the Shape extension arm?

I have the Shape arm and totally trust it I do not own the Zacuto cone thing... I trust the follow focus, it really locks into place with a tiny twist of the knob (hardly any force needed) and the whip I have plugs into it extremely solid as well so I wouldn't think there would any issue. well other than it looking ridiculous LOL