Dear PA Bowhunter. I just went through what you are going through looking for a pair of binocs. I did not like the monarchs. Not clear and bright enough for a 300 dollor binoc. Plus they have substandard customer service. You can't go wrong with swoarovski, Zeiss, Leica etc but not all can afford them. You still have to buy gas to get to the deer woods!
Here are some options you may not have thought about.
1. Optolyth 10x50 Alpen model and Royal model. MADE IN GERMANY. I bought my Optolyth 10x50 alpen for 125 bucks on ebay. Only splash proof. not completely waterproof. Clear as a bell and rubber armoured and light as a feather You should be able to buy them new from England for around 250 bucks
2. Docter optics from germany. Almost as good as swaros. From the Old Zeiss factory on the east side of the berlin wall. Top drawer but the cheapest I have seen them used in mint condition was 300 bucks
3. IOR Vladada from Bucharest. Excellent millitary type binos from europe and nearly unbreakable and water/fog proof. new 7x40 for aroun 350 and 10x40 for 500. They use Schott glass (SAME AS ZEISS) and they use Zeiss coatings
4. SWIFT!! A real sleeper. Made in Japan. An alltime favourite of Bird watchers everywhere. Tough, clear, water/fog proof, and very easy on the eyes. $279.99 for Porro prisms, and 379.99 for the roofs from binoculars.com THESE WOULD BE MY PICK for a bino under 300.
Mail me if you want. My email is not blocked.
okcmco
PS let me know what you get