The 7x35 Nikon Action bins were rated very highly in a recent binocular review done by the Cornell lab of Ornithology. In the inexpensive price class I believe they were #1 overall and offered the best image quality in their price range.

Under $175 your choices are limited. You tend to get better optical quality with an inexpensive porro glass in comparison to an inexpensive roof prism bin. This has to do with the cost of manufacturing each style. However, if you must have a roof prism then the Bushnell H20s aren't really that bad. The Bushnell Buckhorns are also pretty decent and are priced right at $100. Also keep an eye on the Carson bins in that price range. Their higher priced XM series is very highly regarded and I know they have a slightly less expensive roof prism model that may fall within that $175 price point you set for yourself.

If you do use that $100 in points and that $175 in cash then I would suggest trying to get the Nikon Monarchs. They are typically priced around $280 in the 8x42 configuration and I believe them to be one of the better binoculars optically and ergonomically under $500.

Hope this helps.