Just about any reputable company will have good HTs with good components in a range of 600 to 800 USD. Once you start getting up in price(1000$ +, you will notice the biggest diff. will be weight and material (i.e. titanium, carbon composits). Find one you like and make sure it fits. My LBS carries 5 diff. brands and they even let you take the bikes out to demo for the weekend.
Slainte
Matt