I got one of the cheapos years ago and quality is.... meh. But it was only like $40.
It works, actually pretty well for 4ga cables, which is mostly what I use it for.
There are various hand crimpers that are probably easier, but are mostly only for 1 or 2 crimp sizes. So you buy two or three different ones if you need to do more than one size cable. I have one that has three sizes in the jaw and use it for aluminum cable swages. I think its a 30" size, and does up to 5/8" swages pretty easy.
If you really want to go all out you could order a $5,000 Gates hydraulic crimper and get all the dies to make hydraulic hoses to help pay for it.
