There have been several threads on RAP and elsewhere about looking to other industries for good boom stands. Rather than start that up all over again here, I thought I'd just post a link to my final choice.
http://www.bogenphoto.com/product/se...x=0&submit.y=0
(it's a long url, sorry if it requires some cutting & pasting) Be sure to click thru to the good photos
This boom smokes anything this side of a new Starbird or an old RCA mega boom. I got mine for $149 and I think that's about the typical "street" price. This boom requires a "Junior" stand which is one of the many varieties of Grip/Lighting support stands. I chose to buy a new Avenger Junior Roller stand
http://www.bogenphoto.com/product/se...x=0&submit.y=0
That stand sells for around $225 brand new; when you add an adapter to fit mic threads, I came in at right around $400. But you can find the Junior stands used for $75-$100 and that will get your total down close to the big Atlas stand price. But I think you will be much happier with this type of gear. It's built extremely well, it has a huge reach, it breaks down into a very small, easily portable size, its just better than any mic stand that doesn't cost at least 3x its price.
OK, I promise never to mention this again.....
steve