What is lighter and as tough/durable and desirable?
I never said as tough/durable, I said that I'm not tough on kit, I've never broken any seatpost or stem, so I don't really care. As for desireable… A) WGAS? and B) are Thomson really desirable? Every man and his dog has them!
As for what is lighter for the same sort of money, Ritchey stems are far lighter, they may well do a lighter seatpost for the same money, I'm happy to spend a bit more and get something which is far lighter, New Ultimate alu seatposts are around £100 retail and 135g, their stem is also 99g and £75.