yep dyson fan here too. i know you said you didn't want to spend lots but the $800 for our dyson was the best money i'd spent since laying out $1400 for a digital slr camera. and if you think about $800 over the ten to 15 years your dyson will last, it's not hat much money for what it does.

If you are only vacuming tiles/lino/wood floors tho, i'm sure just a cheapy sucker woud be good.

but for carpet you can't go past the dyson. it's a very rewarding experience vacuuming these days lol. and i'm sure our home's hygiene standards are much higher! good luck.