Look at CAD M-179's .. Anything made before 2007 was still USA made.
They fit in your price with shockmounts, are build like tanks (heavy hefty and hot) take high SPL, and are variable pattern. (rotary, not switchable, so everything in-between fig8 - omni)
The good ++
+ patterns let you do M/S ORFT, etc .. and 'allow' ambience in as needed. (great room, lucky you, not so great room, dial it away)
+ I would use them on tour, in a backpack, on the subway, anywhere, easy to dismantle and fairly consistent sound. (as far as the price range goes)
The Bad --
- Not sure if they come in officially 'matched pairs' but you could have a third party test them if it was critical.
- big cases
- I would test the positions of the dial, it could be possible there are slight variations in response even if the dial is in the same spot. (with the exception at the end of it's travel, ie: fig8 and Omni)
The sound
Where it really matters, I most often hear them on things like Toms and Guitar, they would be 'ok' on harp, but nowhere close to an Earthworks .. I wouldn't use them for flute or shakers. They feel dark but but are not low-endy. And actually might sit very well in a mix made with other (bright) cheap mics.
Try out a pair, I'm sure Warren Dent at Zen Pro Audio or anyone you have local would let you try a couple for a week, or even help you in matching them.
Goodluck!