Hi RossR
If my swaro scope beside my hawke scope is anything to go by, I would save and buy the best i could afford, even if it took 3 months or 6 months ( I saved for and bought a second hand swaro scope for my .243 rifle, and when i can afford it I will pass that one on to my rabbit rifle and get an even better/newer/higher mag one for deer)
I (in slight contradiction to Pink) think that the swaros leicas zeiss et al are a darn site better, clearer, less strain on the eyeballs. But you should definitely buy your bins in winter, when the light is poor, and compare the cheapest in the shop,