Can you post a photo or three of the router you have ?
I have had a Ryobi 501 plunger that lived in a small router table for a couple of decades. and yes, it is a hassle to raise and lower it. I am finally going to upgrade and put the Ryobi back in the drawer for hand-held applications and have narrowed my lift selection down to a Jessem Rout-r-Lift II. Lifts, like any power tool, has followers and a bucket full of pros and cons for each brand and model to sift through. just depends on your budget and what you expect from the router station when you get it built.
some lifts have to have an "adapter" for specific motors - the Jessem accepts all (well, most) motors. that was my swing vote.
Note: from my research; a router lift will not work with a non-removable plunge base - it only works where it can hold the round motor without obstructions. with my Ryobi - the motor is built into the plunge base, it is one unit.