Yeah, I have to say that I was very impressed with setting up my 500 with a zip-tie. Tony showed me how to do it, via a Skype meeting, and once I had the zip tie in place, I didn't touch it again until I was done. Just recently I bought a swash plate leveling tool and decided to remove the head and check the swash with the new tool. I was very impressed to see that the leveling tool showed all three points to be level.
So, I can tell you, first hand, that the zip tie method does "effectively" work and so does the leveling tool. It's just a matter of preference, in the end.