Just picked one up as a freebie on CL. It may need a rebuild(newbie, so not sure yet) but it should be the perfect way to try out a suspension fork for cheap and see if I want to spend the money on a decent new one. Anyone got any info on it? Anything from just "Is it decent" to a service manual or something?

Manitou Service Manuals: https://www.spoke-n-word-cycles.com/service.html

Answer Manitou Service & Owner Manuals: https://my-sport.spb.ru/manual_1/

I have one in my garage, it's a pretty old model fork. At least a decade old. I had one with a manual lock-out knob that gave up the ghost years ago. I had it on my commuter for a year before I swapped it with a rigid fork. By then it's additional weight outweighed its (lack of) performance.

I wouldn't drop any coin in servicing it. Just get a new fork.

Do you think a 2010 Rock Shox Judy J1 would be better. I have access to one of those for $20 as a cheap way to try out a suspension fork.

Yes, if you want to try out front suspension on your bike go with the newer fork. Just make sure the axle to crown length will fit your frame/bike.