i got my 10/22 a few years back when they were still 159 bucks and iv tried a couple scopes on it and they are just a waste of time, the sights are dead on.
but thats not what your askin here is it?
your asking about optics on the cheap so check this place out they got a lot of cheap cool stuff and i have always wanted to try them out. A guy i know got a cheap $21 rear ar sight and said it was pretty damn decent
http://combathunting.com/http://www.combathunting.com/product.cgi?product=8487&group=4463