I bit the bullet and bought one from a retailer on ebay. Who knows when they'll be back in stock in the US. I watched too many youtube videos with people using it that I couldn't bear it any longer.
I used 10 minutes for the mashout per the GF instructions. After the mash I set the temp for 167F and once it reached that temp I held it for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes I sparged. Efficiency has been great so far.
I've been to both and I prefer NHC. GABF is fun, but there are far more people there, which can be fun but also annoying. With NHC you have the pro-brewers night which is like a mini-GABF, but usually with the local region's beers. The following night is the club night, where you get to taste...