I researched griddle pans extensively before buying this one for £5.99 when Amazon was running an offer on it. I also looked into:
1) Teflon-type non-stick pans but they cannot tolerate the high temperatures needed to sear meat and fish properly without damage to the Teflon coating, and
2) enamelled cast-iron pans such as Le Creseut, Chasseur, Molten and others. One of the advantages of enamelled cast iron is that it does not rust and does not interact with acidic substances (e.g. citrus juice, wine, vinegar etc.), which means that you are able to de-glaze the pan to make a sauce or gravy.
However, when properly seasoned and looked after as per instructions, nothing beats bare cast iron for searing meat, fish and vegetables.
Admittedly, I did repeat the seasoning process no less than 3 times to create a shiny, non-stick patina which now looks good and works perfectly. On the whole, I'm very happy with this pan's performance and am really glad I did not dish out a fortune on a Le Creuset as this one is more than adequate for the job.
Tip: Beware that, as with any cast iron pan, this one will warp if you place it on a high heat instead of allowing it to heat up gradually.