Product review (5 stars): Read the directions - and then follow them!
I've read through a lot of the reviews, and I think a lot of the problems with poor taste stem from people's unwillingness to run a full 2-3 gallons of water through the filter before using it. With a "standard" activated charcoal filter, one the water stops being cloudy / grey, you are pretty much good to go. However with there filters, I've found that you really need to pre-soak the filter per the directions, and still push a full 2-3 gallons of water through it, even though the water will not appear to be cloudy or anything. I think it is kind of silly to read a review where someone is complaining that the water tastes off, but also saying that they couldn't be bothered to follow the directions.

As for cracks / leaks, I'm on my fourth filter from them and have never had any problems - yes the filter is a smaller diameter than the stock one, I don't know if that makes a difference, but I suspect that the original filter is not getting that much support from the bottom of the filter housing either, since tightening the connection would pull it up horizontal and not let it droop down (in our refrigerator, the filter is a horizontal orientation, other models may be different). But as I say, I have not encountered any leaks, so I can only say that not everyone has encountered that problem, even after going through several of these filters.

Overall, I think they are great - what little extra fussiness is required during the semi-annual installation process is completely offset for me by getting to pay half price for something that I always despised buying because I knew what a price-inflated ripoff it was. If people feel better about driving to Sears and paying double for the stock filter, they will probably save 10-15 minutes of boring time spent flushing out the filter. However, I'm pleased to have another option, and intend to purchase these filters again in the future.