Hi Laurie , the Vixen sure does have all ball and tapered roller bearings thru out , real 'teflon' bushings very good quality Japanese 'Nito's' if the memory serves , where the HEQ5 uses the generic 'Chineese' made bearings and the quality of these is just pot luck at the best with 'Nylon' bushings .
If it was my money it would be the Vixen as its useble straight out of the box where the HEQ5 might be ? if you are lucky and if not you are in for a return or total strip down , de-burr , clean , re-grease etc etc , there is that Quality thing again
.
My older Vixen SP is a way better mount than my old EQ5 and its rated at a less carring weight . Smoother and much better made in every way .
Oh yes I have a HEQ5 that I super charged ( its a fun job , I enjoyed doing it , but some can't ) under my 150mm f8 refractor in NZ and it ok for visual .
Brian.