I've used both. Liked the adaptability of the Makita to use smaller chain for porch posts, 1" mortises in furniture sized timber projects, etc. etc. Also, the clamp was pretty nice for doing add stuff like end grain plunging some posts that needed hold downs...
I didn't know the Makita was hard to line up. Seemed pretty simple. I used it on EWP, some hardwoods (dry, old), and some cedar.
But, the cross grain is a bit faster once you get the fence set, and no clamping needed.
