Lots of Choices
You are Kind of in the middle. If your spending that much most people would say, save your money a little longer and get a pair of Leica or Swarovski. You will end up buying them in the future anyway.
In the 300 dollar range I would look a the Nikon Monarcs. 10X42. I think the compare very closely with anything in that price range. I have the Leupold 10X44 wind rivers and they have treated me well. But I bought my dad a new set for his b-day and I had to give the nod to the nikons. 2 reseasons--I thought the eye caps worked better on the Nikons, The leupolds would collaps when i put pressure on them. the other reason--I thought they had better color and clarity.
Like I said, If I was looking in the 300.00 nikon. 500 range I would save for the Swarovski.
Just a side not--go to a store that carries all the brands and check them out. They will all look the same in the store--take them out side and see if they will put them on the tripod for you. Then you can really focus on the clarity. just a thought, you can really see the diference on the tripod.
Willys46