Against my own good sense and just about all advice, I went the cheap route for a feeder. I got the Moultrie 30 gallon quick-lock feeder. $179. It was the one area of my plan where I decided to go cheap as opposed to the Texas Hunter my Management company advised.
I have been very pleasantly surprised that, fingers crossed, it's worked just fine since June of last year. Doesn't throw the feed very far, but doesn't need to as it's mounted at the end of my pier. It stays completely dry down in south Alabama even after huge rains and high humidity. The battery will last at least an entire feeding season (March-October) and is easily rechargeable. The only issue I have ever had with it was the plate that spins and shoots the feed got stuck one time right after I set it up. I just reached in and spun it a few times and it started working.
I wouldn't say that I would recommend going that route as most of the time, you get exactly what you pay for. I would highly recommend it, however, for anybody who simply doesn't have it in their budget for an expensive feeder.
