Will, I've been thinking the same thing about binos. My local gander mountain has them out so that you can compare them all side by side. After viewing the Bushnells next to the Nikons there is no competition, the Nikons are better. I seriously am looking at the Nikon Action 8x40's in Realtree. They are around $100. Here is the link.
Nikon Action 8x40 in Realtree

Their is also a set of Leupold's that I like. Smaller lense but still quite bright in my opinion. More compact as well. They also are $100. Here is that link.
Leupold Wind River Yosemite 8x30

Both of these binos are in the bottom end of each of these brands inventory, but I think they are still great optics. Both of these blow Bushnell out of the water.