To be quite frank (hopefully without offending you at all,) it is quite doubtful as an "optical rookie" as you claim, that you would be able to see or appreciate much if any difference. At least, not at first. I would recommend that you still spend at least $300-$500 for a roof prism binocular, mostly for build quality issues that plague the low cost models and to ensure that you get good enough optics that they will be useable without causing you migraines, etc.
The Discoverer is a really good binocular. A few years back I was choosing between a Discoverer and a Pentax DCF WP. I chose the Pentax, but have not always been convinced that I made the best choice. Not that my Pentax is bad at all, but I have come to think the Discoverer would have been better. The Pentax DCF WP is no longer available and has been upgraded to the DCF SP which is also a great binocular. But, it does cost significantly more than either the Discoverer or my old DCF WP and I don't know that you would get an extra $200+ worth of optical performance out of it.
I have never seen a Carson XM but, I have read many good reviews on it. I suppose the risk here is that you would almost certainly have to buy one "sight unseen" as I've never seen a sporting goods store, bird watcher's store, camera store, etc. that carries them to examine. They are new in the game so, you also are running a risk in relation to their warranty. (Will they be around when/if you ever need to have repairs done?)
The WindRiver Pinnacle is an excellent binocular. The FOV in the 10X is quite skimpy (only 267') but in the 8X its not too bad (341'.) They don't cost anymore than than the Steiner Merlin and if I were choosing between the two, I would not hesitate to take the Leupold. (I have never much cared for Steiner optics and I know that's just a personal preference on my part.)
The Brunton Eterna is really a very good binocular. The problem with it is that it is somewhat overpriced (by about $100.) The Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Legend, Bushnell Discoverer, Leupold WindRiver Olympics, etc. can all be had for significantly less than the Eterna and will give comparable performance.
Actually Brunton has a bad habit of consistently overpricing their optics. Take a look at the Epochs. They would be a decent value at $700-$800 and going head to head against Leupold Gold Rings, Bushnell Elites, Kahles, etc., but Brunton has them priced at around $1500! No way they are worth that kind of coin.
------------- What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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