yea... it seems like the Hl base ought to be cheaper... but, having used other homebrewed crap, it really is worth the money.
it simply works. it aint ever gonna break or warp. it aint heavy. etc.
i liken it to a nice rubber tire chock. yea the piece of 4x4 works most times, but just not as good as that big grippy triangular rubber lump.
crack open the wallet.