We have had pretty good luck with the $60 variety.  I did see one that looked extra cheap,.  The size of the ice used seems to be a huge deal.  Large ice just wreaks havoc.   This may sound funny, but HERE, Taco Johns always has a sign in the drive up window for ice for sale.  Their ice is small cubes and works awesome in an ice cream freezer.  Same ice as any other fast food joint perhaps, but they sell it, and it is way smaller than the stuff available at ice retail locations....We really enjoy making homemade ice cream, and appreciate not having to do the cranking anymore...