Homebrew PCBs

Like most of us I suspect, I make PC boards using the toner transfer 
method.    I have an HP Laserjet 5000 which is an office-grade printer 
capable of up to 11" by 17", which is nice, but my toner transfers have 
been of marginal quality.   There's no problem in getting the transfer 
to work, but the amount of toner that is transferred seems inadequate.   
Before etching, the black areas where toner is present appears mottled 
and not solid black, with tiny pinholes visible.   Even though I use the 
green film, the copper is rough after etching, traces are undercut and 
of inconsistent width.   I've already got my printer maxxed-out as far 
as settings go.

I use the Pulsar transfer paper, and they advise that my problems are 
due to using refilled toner cartridges which don't contain enough or the 
right kind of materials.  Even though the output looks fine on paper I 
can accept this, but the refilled cartridges are a small fraction of the 
cost of new HP brand toner cartridges (e.g. HP 29X which sells for $235).

My question is:  are there any recommended alternatives which would give 
me better results at a cost somewhere between the bargain refills and 
the new HP 29X?

Thanks and 73,
Bob W9RAN