I would also add Nikon Monarch 7 in the $500 range.

Google Bird Watching Internet Sites and read up on their recommendations for mid priced binoculars. That is your best source of information. When it comes to optics deer hunters are about your worst source of information because we tend to gravitate towards what is in a sporting goods store not a camera store. So you are going to get a bunch of the standard 30% Vortex is awesome and another 30% Leupold recommendations. On the high end you are going to hear Swaro. On the birding sites you are going to also hear Swaro but there are a LOT of good binoculars that cost less and you'll get to read all about them.