You found the same Lucasi that I did, I thought it looked similar too. I honestly thought that 80 for a lucasi butt would be a pretty good deal. But maybe not...
I've read on here that Lucasi cues are made in China--just like a lot of the inexpensive cues. Lucasi's come in a wide range of prices--just like the other brands. I will say that I wasn't impressed by the cues that Lucasi offers. It's all a matter of taste, though. For instance, I would never buy a Joss cue because I think they are the ugliest cues I've ever seen. Find something that you like the looks of in your price range. No matter what cue you buy, it will play much better than the crappy house cues you have been playing with. At least with the house cues I was playing with, I could find one with a good enough tip so that I could draw the ball a foot or two.
Pechauer cues are made in the USA, and I've read that they even grow their own wood. McDermott cues are also made in the USA. Both have lifetime warranties, although for the sub $200 McDermotts the warranty doesn't cover warpage.
Another American cue maker is
OB Cues, and their cues start at around $450, but you might be able to find a used one in your price range. As far as I can tell, OB cues and Predator were leading the market in high tech, low deflection shafts, but then one of OB's founders died and the company struggled for a year, went through a bankruptcy, and now they are making a comeback.