My advice is to decide what your comfortable price range is and then go to one of the stores that carry binos in the price range you're looking at. Pick out a few pair and have someone take them outside for you to try. Looking in the store isn't near as effective as taking them outside. If possible, look at a time of the day when it's starting to get a little dark, even right up until nearly dark.
Most binos sill look pretty good on a bright sunny day, in poor light is the real difference. Make sure that are adjustable for your eyes, comfortable to look through and fit in your hands well. You are picking them out for you so your comfort is what counts. I have a pretty good pair of Nikons I bought about 15 years ago, still work well. Are they as good as those that are in the $1500+ price range? No, but they're pretty good for what I use them for. I've contemplated a really good pair of the Swarovski's but then I think, I'd rather spend the money on a hunt. Te each his own.
You can find a pretty good pair in the $300-$500 range that will serve nearly all your needs. Hell, you can spend $50 and see better than with the naked eye but I'm not recommending them. N0. 1 for me is try them out outside, not strictly in the store.
