Docter Optik 2.5-15x56 V6I

DOCTOR is a brand that originally sprang from the old Zeiss Jenna plant and its history is an article in itself. In the UK it has been handled by a few companies in the last 20-yeras yet never really struck the shooter’s fancy. My good friend Andrew (2-Dogs) Johnson has an old and battered, DOCTOR variable on his Ruger VT and swears by it. My only experience was with their reflex, red dot sight (DOCTORsight III) until a call from Mark Swift (RUAG AmmoTec) the latest distributor asking would I like to test a scope?

Quality Build

As you might expect the build quality is good and on test is their latest hunting scope the V6 (sounds familiar) which offers a 6x zoom range in three models 1-6x24, 2-12x50 and on test the 2.5-15x56. Built on a one-piece, 30mm tube the layout is reasonably conventional; 2nd focal plane 4i, illuminated reticule, fast focus eyepiece and raised blade magnification ring. Turrets are capped so not really fast dialling, but then again the V6 range is for hunting. Click values are 1cm @ 100m with 50-clicks per turn and four full rotations in elevation with two in windage.

On the left of the saddle is a combined illumination and parallax drum; the last only on the 2.5-15. Only the centre dot of the reticule is lit with the control pulling out to switch on.

Adjustment is seamless (shiftcontrol), pushing up increases and pulling it down decreases; typically it has a 180 minute shut off and memory functions.

The dot shown is nice and small but easily visible, equally the reticule is slim but more than enough. A bit confusing is the side parallax, which is marked from 50-500m, a useful function indeed, but without dialable turrets or a ballistic reticule it’s a bit wasted in this higher specification! As a hunter my all-round choice would be the 2-12x50 which only has illumination and a fixed 100m parallax as does the 1-6. Its lower end of x2 makes it good for unsupported shots, yet x12 will easily take you out for the furthest ethical shots on deer.

 

Good Glass

Optical quality is good, internal glass coatings give good light transmission and bright, high contrast images! External surfaces are coated with their non-stick coating - DOCTERmulticlean (Dmcl). Compared to my Schmidt & Benders’ and Swarovski’s the DOCTOR offers similar image and build quality and low light ability. With its semimatte black finish and flat white markings the V6 is a well made and presented rifle scope regardless of what model you decide upon. However, price-wise they are certainly cheaper than the opposition as can be seen!

PRICES:
a 1-6x24: £1104
2-12x50: £1184
2.5-15x56 £1261

CONTACT:
RUAG Ammotec UK Limited, 01579 362319, www.doctergermany.de