Chris Parkin takes a peek at the Zeiss Conquest V6 2.5-15x56 riflescope

With 92% light transmission, the Zeiss V6 range sits just below the ‘Victory’ range’s 95% light transmission specifications, but with a 6x zoom range and mid-range magnification levels appropriate to hunting, the V6 series offers a series of exceptionally deluxe optics in their own right. I have used the 2-12x50 for versatile daytime hunting rifles but there are also 3-18x50 and 5-30x50 models for longer-range varminters. Driven game is handled by a 1.1-6x24. I chose the 2.5-15x56, as I consider it the most versatile scope for a dawn/dusk hunter in the UK.

External viewpoint

Build standards are as expected. The anodising on the 30mm tube has a bead-blasted finish, showing perfect attention to detail and not rubbing the skin from your hands or fingers. It offers 145mm of clear tube split on either side of the saddle for rings. The scope measures 345mm from the objective lens to fast focus eyepiece, which adjusts +2 to -3 dioptre for clear reticle focus. The saddle’s left side supports a simple pull-out, on/off illumination dial with infinite brightness adjustment that saves your favoured setting when shut off. The illuminated centre dot of the second focal plane No.60 reticle extinguishes when the scope is elevated vertically or rested on its side. The CR2032 button cell is seated below the twist-off cap of the dial.

Mechanics

Elevation and windage clicks are 1cm@100m for simple reliability, with 2m (200 clicks) of vertical and lateral adjustment to zero your rifle at 100m. Windage can be reset to mark zero by pulling the dial outward and turning it back to the centre, which is a beautifully simple method, without any need for further tools. The dial cap is polymer and requires a little care to make sure you don’t crossthread it when twisting it back into position.

This scope has Zeiss’ optional ‘ASV’ elevation turret, which is probably my favourite system. After zeroing the gun, a T20 Torx bit will remove the upper cap and the turret then lifts off. Next, simply lift out the zero-stop plug, set it with its pin to the left of the ‘zero stop’ pin, and then screw the top cap back in place. It is simple and thoroughly reliable, with one Torx tool required. There are no tiny clips or springs to lose. When taking a longer-range shot, simply lift the outer dial, turn it clockwise and push it back down. It’s fast, secure and reliable.

I had the V6 mounted on a .308 Sauer 101 Alaska with a zero inclination Picatinny rail, which after a 100m zero, left plenty of adjustment to extend my zero range. From here, the ASV turret allowed a further 77 clicks (7.7 MRAD) from the single rotation, which seemed plenty. The clicks on both turrets are gently audible and 100% tactile, so you can hear and feel any adjustments you make. Throughout many optical challenges, Zeiss Mechanics have never let me down.

Expected Zeiss performance

Image quality is exactly as expected from Zeiss, with bold colours and great resolution detail for a precise aim, with or without excessive magnification applied. With speedy adjustment capability, the No.60’s red dot always keeps your reticle plainly in view, regardless of any disruptive background or lighting conditions.

The low-end 2.5x magnification is great for keeping both eyes open to retain spacial awareness on fastmoving quarry or for backup shots. Importantly, the ‘eye box’ around the 90mm of eye relief stays stationary and is easily accessed with clear focus, regardless of the precise position of your eyes with regard to the exit pupil.

Poorly ground lenses have a very critical pinpoint where the image is perfect on a riflescope, but you don’t get this with Zeiss, where its ‘Made in Germany’reputation reliably delivers a relaxed visual environment.

The reticle is not quite as fine as that of a Swarovski Z6 or Z8, but reticle choice is very personal. I have always preferred the slightly bolder rets and as my eyes continue to age, this preference has become stronger. Super-fine reticles are optically precise, but not for everyone, especially when used at speed.

Ergonomic interaction

The zoom is adjusted using a serrated collar to the front of the ocular body. Although welldefined, with precise machining, the squared grooves are very close and require a firm grip to rotate. However, the motion itself is smooth and silent, with no tactile perception of mechanical motion as the lens packages move back and forth in their helically grooved cylinders. I’d prefer deeper grooves, but a small wing on the collar sits vertically upward when set on 8x magnification, for tactile sensation in low light. Image quality from this optic is superb, with flat focus across the entire field of view and good contrast towards darker, shadowed patches of foliage.

The usability and reduced price of this scope are very hard to beat, especially for those wanting to dial for distance. 15x magnification does start to show some parallax errors but you must deliberately tempt them to notice things and for real-world hunting, you are not likely to have an issue. The use of 15x mag generally implies you will be taking a better positioned, more cautious shot and I certainly prefer the specification to have illumination over parallax adjustability when space on the saddle is at a premium, along with pricing and optical quality.

Conclusion

The V6 is a clear step upward from the V4, yet in this middle ground, I can see it tempting customers away from the high-end HT and V8 ranges, due to the price and specifications available.