I suggest you take a look a etork.com. They sell on Amazon, but their website shows their offerings with detailed specs and features. The "About Us" page tells a bit about the developer (apparently a long time pro in the industry). They are designed and serviced in the US, manufactured in China. Their various torque wrenches sell for ~$50 - $60. I needed a high range (50 - 250 ft.lb.) last year, and was disappointed in the stuff offered at the lower price range, but didn't want to spend more that $100 for a torque wrench that I wouldn't use very often (mainly FWD CV axle/wheel bearing nuts). There were a few others in this torque and approximate price range, but they had some characteristics that looked too much like some of the cheaper torque wrenches that I've owned that never seemed to work well or last very long. The Tekton fits in that category, and there were numerous reviews on Amazon describing the same problems I've encountered. Other than Tekton, most of the offerings don't seem to come from any sort of established company - just Chinese imports sold by some small unidentifiable named marketing outfit.
When I came across the etork offering on Amazon, it looked promising. I've had too many of those lower-tier torque wrenches that have that enormous ratchet head that gets in the way and pretty soon starts jumping teeth or simply falls apart. And the scale that's hard to read, with the locking knob that tightens itself while you're adjusting the wrench, then loosens when you're actually using the wrench. I liked what I read on etork's website and figured I would give it a try. The ad stated it had a lifetime warranty (non-commercial use), so I figured it worth the gamble even though I'm usually skeptical that the warranties are useful when something actually breaks . When I received it, I was very impressed with the overall quality, and the way it worked. The the design of the hand position is comfortable and easy to use precisely (torque accuracy requires the force you apply to be at the right distance). The way you dial in the torque setting is different than most of the others in this price range, much easier to see and use, especially when under the car with only indirect light. It has a nice definitive 'click' when it hits the right torque - the most confidence-inspiring of all of the torque wrenches I've used. Accuracy is advertised as +/- 3%, but the calibration certificate that came with mine showed less than half that. The blow-molded plastic case is better than those that came with my other tools from Tekton and other mid-range tools. I have several Tekton specialty tools, and am generally satisfied with them and their value, but I don't like their their flimsy cases that don't latch well or break off or tear a hinge. The e-tork case is probably not quite as robust as those that came with my 40-year old craftsman socket sets, which despite a lot of use, still work perfectly.
Potential criticisms:
1) Some might complain that the length is a bit short (20.5"), requiring a lot of force at 250 ft.lb. I had to work at it at 230 ft.lbs. setting, but was able to use it successfully and accurately (I weigh 200 lbs, in reasonable shape but no athlete). On the other hand, I perceive that as a 'feature' rather than a 'bug'. I only occasionally need to use it near the top end of its range. When I was using in under the car on my back for some subframe work, sometimes a longer torque wrench would have been too long. E-tork's 1/2" drive 30-150 ft.lb. version specs show 18" length so I'm sure this won't be an issue with that version. I'm sure I'll own that one at some point to replace my broken wrenches in that range, but for now I can cover the entire range I need so don't want to spend the money just now.
2) It doesn't have that shiny chrome finish that the more expensive (and even some inexpensive) wrenches have. It's a matte finish, perfectly nice from my perspective.
3) It has a 45-tooth ratchet head - more than many of the other inexpensive 1/2" torque wrenches I've used (e.g. 24 teeth), but less than some of it's competitors. I find it just right for the high-torque range version, but for the 30-150 lb version there are times when a 72-tooth would be handy in tight locations. Nonetheless, it works well and feels secure, and won't stop me from buying their 30 - 150 ft.lb. version when I finally decide that I need it. The knob for changing directions is easy grab hold of and easy to turn. On my regular ratchets I tend to like the lever style better than the rotary type, but on a torque wrench I don't really care because I'm not reversing directions very often.
4) My wrench had a problem with the locking mechanism that showed up after I used it on maybe 10 or 20 bolts - it adjusted and torqued fine, but the lock button on the bottom no longer engaged. I contacted customer service, since it has a lifetime warranty, and I got a prompt response saying 'send it in' with a copy of the email. We went back and forth a few times to schedule a time to send it back for repair. After contacting them, I I realized I might be needing to use it soon so didn't want to send it back right away. They said 'fine' just let them know when I'm ready to send it back. They emailed me the day they received my wrench to let me know the USPS tracking # for the replacement they shipped. I had to pay for shipping my broken wrench back, they paid shipping for the replacement. At the price point for the original purchase, I'm not complaining.
I asked if the problem was caused by anything that I did, and they said no, a part of the latch assembly just became loose so the lock wouldn't engage. No parts actually broke. They said it's rare for that to happen, likely wasn't tightened quite enough at the factory (yeah, I know, and I asked -= it's ironic that a torque wrench would have a part that doesn't have a torque spec! It's tightened at manufacture with a strap wrench.) It's independent of the actual torque-measuring mechanism, so had no effect on the calibration. I also asked them some other questions about it out of curiosity, which they freely answered. Most of the time my emails were replied to in just a few hours, and once I sent an email after hours and got a response back late that evening. Their customer service is top notch. If you judge a company by how they respond to problems, as I do, they pass with flying colors.
I realize this might sound like an advertisement - it's not. I just found this to be a great tool at a fair price and want to let others know about it. I have absolutely no relationship with this company other than as a random customer. I was happy to find a good product at a price that I could afford at the time, and am satisfied beyond my original expectations. I'm willing to excuse the problem I had with mine based on their first-class response to it. I'm so tired of the Chinese junk and knock-offs these days, sold by totally invisible marketing entities, that I'm very reluctant to recommend anything to anybody. But it's clear to me that this company isn't just an opportunistic marketer - they are invested in this product. Based on my correspondence with them, it appears they are in good control of the manufacturing process, rather than just bulk buying whatever they can find and reselling it on-line. There is in fact good stuff that comes out of China when the design is robust, manufacturing processes are focused on making a good product, and QA standards are actively managed. And you can't beat a lifetime warranty that's honored without hassle.