The OP can afford more than $150 glass, fortunately.
For 15X tripod work, the Nikons above aren't a viable option. If you're saying that setting them on 15 will equal the Minox 15s, well, they just won't. Not even close. But if $150 is your glass budget, I'm sure a guy could find some deer with them. But if you need to find a piece of Coues deer buck under a bush a mile away, the Minox will get it done and the $150 glass will not. The Swaros will get it done better. It may be the 'Golden Age of Optics', but there's still no fairy dust that will make a $150 glass a $650 glass. Get behind them both in the field and within 30 seconds your eyes will be asking "Are you kidding me?". Probably 3 seconds. The information of merit you can get from looking at binos in the sporting goods store is regarding fit and ergos. You can't judge glass there.
