The cheapest throwers are junk, at least every one I ever used was. The trius onestep I got a few years ago will fling 'em at regulation speed, and cost less than $200. Hand throwers can be fun, but it's hard to throw your own targets.
AS mentioned the bright orange hand throwers from CT are great.
I bought one of these and regretted it.
http://www.targetsports.co.uk/images/uploads/claymasterallen1.jpg
Thing was awful. It kept coming out of the ground every time, even anchored it didn't do well at all.
I was thinking of getting one of these, but couldn't justify the cost considering i only shoot a few times a year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lkcpha_hlk
Not sure which one your referring too, but I do have one of thesedoes anybody uses the (new) hand-thrower that launches 2 clays at once?
I've seen one of those at Army&Navy.