I was just given a 5 inch Yost vise. Can't say it is any better than many others, but it beats a Hazard Fraught special. As far as usability goes. If I didn't have a vise, I'd go out right now and get the Harbor Freight one. A cheap vise is still somewhat usable, and won't delay your purchase of a GOOD vise very long. And... you can't have too many vises on your workbench.
The HF vise is not going to be as "nice" as an expensive vise. Those niceties like little backlash (play in the screw) and greater clamping strength will save you a bunch of time in the end, and if time is money...
but if you need it NOW, try out a HF and if you hate it, get a better one.