Ok, I'll offer my suggestion, but given the addage "you get what you pay for in glass optics" that's been beaten into everyones heads, I'm sure you'll think I'm crazy.

A few years back I was also searching in a similar price range. I was at K's merchandise, looking at all the high quality name brands. The guy handed me a pair of Minolta 8x40's that absolutely blew everything else I looked through away. Crystal clear, very bright, black rubber coated well made quality pair of binocs. I commented on how much I liked them so probably couldn't afford them, and he showed me the price tag- $69.99.

I swear, I felt like I stole something when I bought them... Unbelievable quality, best bang for the buck in optics I've ever seen, pun intended

In a tree, I can look into and through thick stuff with stunning ease. Just keep moving the focus adjustment and stuff way back pops up, with no overshadowing of the thick stuff in front of it. Can't recommend these highly enough.