Best spotting scope for less than 1500$

[K-22]

My son bought a 10 year old Leica from a guy on these classifieds, and it is a fine piece of glass. For my eyes, it seems as good or better than other European glass. I think he paid $900 for it. We have compared it to my Swaro, and it's awesome. I paid a LOT more for mine.

Leica has great has had some great glass, but, their service in the U.S. sucks big time.
Been there, done that.
Best,
Gary

 

[VanceInWA]

The problem with spotting scopes is the higher-end ones typically sell the eyepiece separately. Take the Meopta MeoStar S2 82 HD for example. Probably the best spotting scope you can get for the money, but even though it is over the OP's budget it still doesn't come with the eyepiece.