Power Meters for Bikes are astonishingly pricey

I'm continuing my road bike research at a low level of intensity, but I ought to kick it up again.  One result so far: power meters for road bikes (or other bikes) are astonishingly expensive, at least from firms that have reputations for producing accurate power meters.  Getting under $1000 (PowerTap Elite) doesn't seem feasible for a entry level system that is reasonably accurate.