RE: Most bang for your buck?
To answer your question....
...some of the mid price range PSE models...the previously mentioned Tbolt, Beast, etc....
...the previously mentioned Martins, Phantom, Mag series, etc...
...Hoyt's Magnatec and MTSport are both under the price you quoted...
...Browning had the Ambush 80, Mirage 33 and Tornado in that price range though I haven't seen their 2002 lineup yet.
...and the much overlooked Jennings/Fred Bear/Buckmasters models of bows. The Rackmaster is excellent and retails for around $350....so is the Buckmaster Hypertech...$350....Whitetail Pursuit, etc.....