I agree wit Alexis powell..The Nikon lineage has been always consistent in quality no matter how many units I have tested.And You can get them new in your budget,and used well below.I would not buy a brand new,expensive chinese scope,unless i can test it and make sure the unit is good..It doesnt matter how well endorsed It is...specially because for one grand you can buy a used top of the line,if not last model,scope,and those models,in my experience are more consistently well corrected,due to better quality control..Swarovski ATS 65HD can be found for a grand ,used,also the old AT80HD,but you have to look around ..Kowa 823/4 can be found also in that price..Leica APO 65..etc...
The ED50 and small top scopes like the MM3,are very nice,and for walking around and finding birds are the best(..i do prefer them with a low power ,bright eyepiece,but thats me..).They can offer a beautiful view, as sharp ,bright and full of contrast as any scope,and even be used for photo or video..but if you need real detail in the mid - long distance ,you should try to buy a large scope.I own a cheap pair of binos,bought new, an ED50 /astronomy eyepiece also bought new and an old beaten KOWA 823 ,bought used..PROBABLY paid under 1000 $ for all...(got lucky with the Kowa)