The very best scope I own is a Zeiss Varipoint. I bought it 14 years ago and prices have gone up so much I would not be willing to pay for a comparable scope today.
For a while, the zeiss conquest were available for $400, a very good buy for that price.
The last several years I have bought several swarvoski's. Unlike Zeiss, they use the same glass in their lower priced scopes, just not as many bells and whistles. They have very good value in a 1" tube. I would give them a look before deciding only Zeiss or Leupold.