Product review (4 stars): The machine works great. I would have given it 5 stars if ...
The machine works great.
I would have given it 5 stars if not
for a few things....

I think for the price, it's a good deal, but there are some
major safety issues that you should note, especially if you have
kids running around wanting to get near it.

Safety Issue #1-
The claw has sharp pointed metal spikes that have no protection from fingers.
Warn kids to stay away or there will be no shaved ice. It's worked for me.
You can't be too careful with this thing.

You don't want to take ice out of the freezer and immediately use it.
Your ice will be too cold and brittle, and most likely crack the second you
try to use it in the machine.
They key is to "temper" the ice, meaning when you pull it out of the freezer,
let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This really helps. Don't bring it outside in the heat.
It will not temper right, and the shaved ice will be mushy.
If you store ice in a cooler, that works too.
Leave it in the container it's frozen in while tempering.
Tempered ice has a nice clear glass-like appearance around the outer parts of the ice.
The middle will still be white/opaque.

Safety Issue #2-
I don't like that there's no included shield around the ice while it's spinning.
It has proved problematic because if your ice cracks and breaks off, it goes flying.
Ouch. It hurts when it lands on your foot. : /
If your face is anywhere near it, you are risking the obvious. Keep your face away from
the ice when it's spinning.

Safety Issue #3-
The Blade that shaves the ice has no shield either.
I'm not a moron, and know to be careful, but accidents happen,
and this seems like one that could easily happen at some point if
you get distracted.
Always start with no blade shaving the ice, and slowly twist the knob to
start the shaving.

Safety Issue #4-
The bottom portion is made of plastic, which doesn't
make a lot of sense. The rest of the machine is heavy metal.
I move it around my house for parties and driveway fun.
I'm worried that it will crack or break at some point while I'm carrying it,
or eventually crack under pressure from weight of the metal.
It's not that easy to just lift the part of the machine
that's metal. You have an exposed blade to watch out for.

There are many suggestions I've read in various places. They may or may not work, but thought
I'd pass along....

There are some theories on the best way to freeze ice:
-Some say add a tablespoon of sugar to each container you freeze. -Sticky sugar ice all over the machine? Not for me
-Some say to slowly freeze your ice at 30 degrees and leave it for 3 days without ever opening the freezer door.-Not practical for recreational user

I didn't use the included foot pedal on my first run.
It's kind of an art, and when you're building your mountain of fluff, it really
makes it more difficult to have to stop and start, pushing the on/off switch.
Taking your hand away from either holding the cup or molding the ice with your other hand
doesn't help your cause, trust me.
There's only 1 speed, and if you haven't mastered it, you'll see how much more difficult it is.

Overall, the machine works. It's not something you want kids around though.
With trial and error practice, you can replicate Hawaiian Shaved Ice.
Yes, the fluffy snow-like kind, but you have to practice.
Getting the blade at just the right spot on the
ice, and tempering, it works, but it might take you
a few tries to get it right, maybe more.
It's a fun challenge either way.

Watch some videos of the stores in Hawaii making
it. That is my ultimate goal. : )

True Hawaiian ice is fluffy snow-like with no trace gritty ice.
It melts in your mouth, and your syrup does not melt the ice when you pour it on,
nor does it end up in the bottom like a snow cone.

I hope this helps!