i like some of the linkvendor tools too. fast hosting and loading there with comprehensive checking on serps position.
as for backlink / inlink checkers (other than the yahoo site explorer of course) i can't find one to beat:
http://www.backlinkwatch.com/
if anyone knows of a similar tool which does more than 1000 links, SHOUT THE URL!
btw, there's a bunch of similar tools listed in
bwdp.org/webmaster/tools