Do you want one with an Autofocus motor, or are you okay with manually focusing? A couple suggestions...This will probably be a personal opinion. But are there wide angle lens that i can buy below $500 ? if not what would you consider as the best and the most economical wide angle lens there is ?
...For a little more, the Tokina 11-16.
Amazon.com: Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II Digital Zoom Lens (AF-S Motor) (for Nikon Cameras): TOKINA: Camera & Photo
I know it busts the budget a bit but it gives you AF-S, outstanding quality, and you will never decide you didn't purchase wide enough.
$623 Amazon
Yes. The difference between 11 and 17 is huge. It may "only" be 6mm but it's a large percentage and thus a big difference.I am eyeing on the 11-16 f2.8 but always asking what can I get out of it above my 17-50 f2.8. Is 11 mm to 17 mm going to give me a much wider view?
The best compromise of quality/price/useful focal lengths, is perhaps the Tokina 12-24 F/4. Sure it is below 500$, on ebay is 300 pounds sterling.
There is the original and the "II." The big change from the original to the second is some new lens coatings and the addition of a focus motor in the lens. When I was looking to purchase I found there to be ~$100 difference. I went with "II" because coatings are always improving and the lens would be versatile to use on any model of Nikon. Not sure about the third model you referenced.