Low budget high value backpacking tent?

My go to tent is a Sierra Design that I picked up at a used gear sale from the university's outdoor rental shop at season's end. It had a couple of minor repairs but was/is in great working order. If you can find good used gear, that's often the best deal. Like a new car, gently used gear is often much cheaper because its "been driven off the lot".
 
I have had a few different tents over the years, but I almost always use my REI half-dome. I simply just love the tent. Lots of headroom, I am 6'4", and plenty of room for the wife and I. Plus I can fit both of my dogs on one side of the vestibule and all my gear in the other.
 
Have you considered going with a hammock? I only use a tent as a last resort now, its way nicer to get off the ground lol. I use Clark Jungle hammocks but Hennesy Hammocks are nice and wont break the bank.
 
I just about sprung for the Big Agnes Cooper Spur UL2 tent, but I waited to long and it's now 399 instead of 320. I just don't know if I can get myself to spend that much just to save a few pounds. I am now looking at the REI half dome, which looks to be a great tent for almost half the cost. I might be better of trying to save my weight else where. My last pack last year was 60 pounds... so I need to do something. Although in my defense I had over 10 pounds of camera gear with me.
 
Check out steep and cheap. They just had a bunch of tents come up recently in their gear cache section. Gone now but they will be back or pop up as the current deal from time to time. I have a 2 and 4 person ALPS tents been happy with them. Couple alps 2 man tents came up today on this site under or @ $100


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Just purchased the new REI Quarter Dome 1 for an upcoming trip that weighs in at 39.10 oz with 6 J hook stakes and seems pretty decent to me. I will report back on how I like it.
 
I have the Mountainsmith Morrison 2, and I would say it is OK for canyon desert hikes, but I would not bring it on alphine hikes. The weakest point on this tent is the diameter of the poles. I have used a kelty Gunnison 2 for years, it is low priced, has stood up to very bad weather at high altitudes, 2 doors, and like 36 sq. ft. A very good tent for a couple. Simple 2 pole design.
 
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