I find it amazing how people no matter what age can so easily squabble over the pettiest things of little importance like who's daddy is the strongest on the grade school playground. Depending on the person and there situation, preferences will vary in most any matter. My hives are not in my backyard and I work full time and have a four year old daughter that demands my time. For me the most ideal feeders would be ones that can hold enough that I don't have be there every day, can be filled fast when I'm short on time, don't require a smoker, and whatever else may be convenient. If you only have a few hives, have to drive 10 miles, then through a field or whatever you situation may be, it might be worth $50.00 a feeder to someone. Whatever it costs or doesn't, they are not worth arguing and insulting one another over. I used frame feeders this year. They held a gallon and came with my colonies. I had to open the hives to fill them and they sucked em dry fast. My buddy always used inverted jars. A person can build most anything, cheap or expensive. Everyones situation is a bit different and what's suitable for one may be a bad choice for another.
One thing for sure, sounds like someone needs to design more hive feeders.