I cannot in good conscience make any recommendations in your price range. But if you must have really compact items, I suggest limiting choices to Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski. The first two also have outstanding 8x20 monoculars.
I know that Nikon makes some good compacts, but have only looked though a few in stores, and some years ago. They were okay for the money, but certainly not on par with the best German brands.
If you want a good full-size binocular at a value price, I suggest the Swift Aududon 8.5X44, at about $500 the last I looked. I compared mine directly to an 8X32B/GA Leica in both daylight and dark, and the Swift held up pretty well, although the Leica had less problem with reflections. Keep in mind that the smaller Leica was very close to the larger Swift.
I expect that the superior German glass has better lenses, prisms, and coatings. My Leica is the 8X32B/GA, which I think has been replaced by a new super-priced item. I know the model, but can't think of it at the moment. Check all these companies' Online sites.
If you're tight on funds, consider the Zeiss 8X20B monocular, which also carries very conveniently. The Swarovski 8X20B binocular that I owned a few years ago was also exceptional, and performed much better in dim light than expected. Had I not had to sell it to pay some medical bills, I'd still treasure it. I think it compares better to Zeiss and Leica equivalents than Swarovski's full-size binoculars do. That is, of course, my opinion, based on having used a number of such models. However, all of those brands are excellent binoculars.
If B&L/Bushnell still makes their 7X26 compact, take a look. They used to be remarkable items for the money, although the hinges were sometimes looser than they should have been.
First, get copies of astronomy and birding magazines and request catalogs from the binocular ads therein. Be very careful with dealing with dealers in NYC. Many of them are reputed to offer "gray market" goods that may not have US warranties.
Learn what you can, then call several major dealers from those ads and see who treats you best. If you're treated badly on the phone, that's probably a clue to how they view you as a customer!
One other option: maybe you can buy a good used binocular in Germany? Check customs issues and maybe someone here can add to this idea. But be danged sure that you learn how to buy used optics. Most that I've examined have fogged lenses and prisms caused by leaving the instrument in a closed car in hot weather. Look around inside the glass with a strong flashlight! (Shine the flashlight into the objective lenses.)
