I'd like to get some nice binoculars this spring and am completely overwhelmed by all the choices. My price range is probably under $500. What is the best optics for the buck? I'm particularly interested in hearing from folks who have tried numerous brands and have an opinion as to which is the best value, price vs optic quality. I don't mind paying more if the difference in quality is proportionally higher. In other words, if I'm comparing a $300 item to a $600 item, I'm not interested in the $600 unless the optics are significantly better.

Thanks