I agree, the Saleae is expensive, and I don't support the clones that rely on Saleae to do all the hard software work. The majority of the work is clearly in the software (and the case), since it is obvious that the electronics design is essentially a Cypress USB SoC devboard with some input protection. The nice aluminium case and EZ-hook probes (at least in the old version I got, I think they now use cheaper alternatives) are also worth a fair bit. This is much nicer than the acrylic case and sorry excuse of a probe cable offered for the OLS, for example.
Since software is the only way of interfacing with a USB LA, I consider it a critical component. For similar reasons why Dave hated some of the scopes he reviewed (for example the Tek MDO, or the Hantek/Owon): what good is the hardware if the software makes you pull your hair out everytime you use it? And the Saleae software is quite nice to use, although development has been slow and they should really implement some missing features. Last time I tried the Zeroplus software, I hated the interface and considered it barely usable. Haven't tried the Hantek software, but from what I remember you weren't too happy about it either. The Intronix software is okay, but the LogicPort costs almost $400.
So for your average PIC/AVR/MSP430 development I consider the Saleae and Usbee SX the best options, despite the poor specs. If someone came up with decent hardware (like the Hantek) and good software for sub-$200, then that would be a killer combination. I don't expect the Rigol/Link/Hanteks of this world to come up with decent software, however.
I like the Sigrok project, but I don't think the GUI is anywhere close to competing with the commercial options. Do they have protocol decoding in the GUI yet? Once that becomes a good alternative, then you can essentially buy any LA they support based on specs.