I have a $100 bestbuy gift card I have to use so naturally this is good fit but at the same time I'm not going to get it if its garbage.
I never had a portable ice maker and wanted to also know how long it would take for it to put out enough ice to keep a 30 pack of beer cold in a 48 quart cooler. I know temperature would make a difference outside but roughly.
We bought a Dometic (large) several years ago and it works great. Drops a tray of ice every 10 minutes. We use bottled water to keep it clear of hard water deposits. Ice is 'wet' and keep a plastic bowl in freezer to harden. A 48 qt ice chest takes about 2 hours if you empty the ice maker every time it is full which is about 2 cycles and the drinks are pre chilled (extreme ice chest).
I have one similar to that made by igloo. Cost about the same amount. I used it all during the summer this year. It worked great. I don't think I could go without one.