I'm extremely happy with these:
Auray MS-5220T -- short boom, all metal
On Stage MS9701TBPLUS Platinum Series Tele-Boom Microphone Stand
They're $30 and $50 respectively, and the second is many, many steps above the $30 on stage. Both are all metal, and I have 3 of each at home, plus some of my bandmates have gotten a few of each for themselves. Get the short booms for instruments or sitting people and you won't have to spend quite as much as you would getting the $50 ones. They are heavy, they're solid, and the moving bits stay put.
They aren't as good as K&M or Atlas (I have a couple K&Ms that I inherited from a short-lived bluegrass band my dad was in along with some PA gear). In particular they can stick a little when you're trying to collapse them. But they are also much, much better than the $25-30 On Stage -- like a completely different planet. I did have to return one of the short booms for a bad thread (and B&H made it right), so be sure to assemble them before you take them on the road.