I am looking for a moderately priced shorts with minimal pad and perhaps shorter inseam.

I used for the past four years Nashbar Epic shorts. They were $17 on sale every time I got them. I never thought much about them, just used them and never had any butt/saddle discomfort or once thought about my shorts while riding. Well they are worn now and I need new shorts. They have a relatively short inseam, more like a tri-short.

I bought LG Request Plus shorts $30. They were too big (I get medium for 31" waist) and the pad was foamy and bulky. The leg seam ripped the first time I put them on and the inseam was so long the gripper went around the back of my inner knee. Sent them back without riding in them.

I then tried Sugoi Pulsar. $60 list, REI clearance for $20. They fit much better than the LG and the pad was not as bulky, but still a bit too much. They are fit about normal length for shorts, but several inches longer than those Nashbar Epics. No problem. But, I just got back from a 52mi ride and I have massive chaffing, deep red marks, at the outer edge of the rear side of the pad. Not at any saddle contact point, but way outside. They are going back thanks to REI's liberal return policy.

I just bought $81 Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor (2006 version with 10mm pad and no drawstring) and $44 PI Tri shorts. I haven't tried riding in either of these yet, but once I do I can not return them. I like the off bike fit of both.

Here is are my questions:
1. I think I prefer the shorter inseam of the PI Tri shorts. I also don't think I need the padded chamois as I never have saddle contact point discomfort (I use a Brooks) But I also read that the minimum to zero padding of a Tri short can be uncomfortable for longer rides. I sometimes do 80-100mi rides. Mostly my rides are 10-60mi on the 40-60 side. Am I kidding myself that I don't need any padding?
2. I read that the Ultrasensor pad/chamois can be uncomfortable for some. Is this true?

What other shorts under $90 should I consider. Not just brand names, but the specific model name too.

Also please note I am well aware of many folks preference for bibs over shorts - that is not my question. I also know about the Hammer Nutrition Voler shorts. I will not wear those logos, but would pay the additional $45 to get the non-Hammer logo version from Voler, which I think is the Voler Elite DX ?

Al