My stock tank deicer cost about 40 dollars. It is now in its 4th year of service during the winter. The deicer is made for use in cold temperatures. It automatically turns on at 35 degrees and turns itself off at 45 degrees. It has gotten as cold as -22 F and still kept the water thawed.
I am not sure why living in Michigan where it is cold would make you reluctant to use a nipple water system. I live in northern Montana where it gets cold and have found the best water systems to use in winter are nipple systems. I have tried other systems. They have just not worked as well...
Many people have tried those cups. For some reason it seems to take a long time for the chickens to figure out how to use them. They also freeze easily in the winter. They get dirt in them that has to be cleaned regularly.