In that price range, the color fidelity of monitors varies all over the place -- both from model to model, and even from one individual monitor to the next one of exactly the same model. In other words, the quality control isn't really adequate for pro level color critical work. You might even be able to find a monitor for even less that performs quite well, but the question is, "How would you know?". Monitors in that price range are a lot like going into Best Buy, or other big store with a wall full of TVs, and they you notice that they all look different with respect to colors, brightness, contrast, etc.
So, here's my oddball suggestion: Instead of buying a monitor in the price range you stated, put some of that money towards a hardware color calibration system. Specifically, one whose software tells you how accurate the colors and brightness levels are on any particular monitor both before and after calibration. A very good hardware calibrator is this one:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...61&acd=12309152537461010&ven1=sSKcuqCfv&ven2=,
Next, buy a really cheap (eg, $50) monitor, take it home, calibrate it, and see if you can get either the average or maximum error to be less than 1 (in "E" units). If the first monitor you buy isn't capable of being brought into reasonable calibration, return it, and pick out another to try. Repeat until you find one that can be brought into good calibration. At least this way, you know exactly how good your monitor really is (ie, instead of relying on suggestions by unknown internet "experts"), AND you'll be able to recalibrate the one you settle on as frequently as needed.
Just a thought,
Tom M
