I narrowed my choices for a 8x56 illuminated reticle scope down to a Docter or Schmidt & Bender. Has anyone compared the 2? It wont be on a big recoiling rifle, so I dont need big eye relief or strength, just best at night. Has any one compared the Docter scope with the Schmidt and bender?

S&B
Received your check, mate.

I have to admit that I haven't compared them, but I've NEVER seen an optics test that ranked Docter anywhere near the top. Of the two, I'd go for the S$B and never look back.

Can't speak for the S&B, but I have a friend that purchased one of the Docters and his was faulty right out of the box. Didn't have enought elevation adjustment to zero his rifle at 100yds in the proper Leupold mounts. Just a fluke I'm sure. The glass was pretty descent, but no better than a Monarch or Conquest to my eyes.

Good Luck

Reloader

I own & use both S&B & Docter but not those particular models.

I just HAD to have an illuminated recticle scope and settled on a 2.5-10x48 Docter. It's a good scope; for sure but after using it found out I really didn't need; nor want to use the illunimated part, so now it stays pretty much permanently turned off. If I had to do it over again I'd have saved myself some hard-earned cash and bought one without the illuminated option.

I've got a whole bunch of Zeiss, S&B, Kahles, Docter, Leupold & Weaver scopes. For my aging eyes the best scope in my stable is a S&B straight-powered 6x42. Don't know why but it appears to me to be the clearest scope in the whole bunch. So for that reason I would wholeheartedly recommend the S&B 8x56 over the Docter but them my advice would have to be to just purchase the straight 8x56 without the electrical circuit!

I have decided on the S&B scope ,which I will buy next week. (then wait 6 weeks for it to arrive) I will go for the illuminated reticle as this scope will be my night scope. The rifle will wear a basic variable with mil-dot or TDS type reticle for daytime shooting ,then switch to the S&B scope in Leupold QRW lever rings for night hunting.

S&B are in a class of their own. I have a S&B illuminated reticle scope. My mate has a Docter which he really liked. He tried mine and brought his own S&B. The Docter is on the bench in his shed. ( for 2 years now).

My friend who married a German and visits yearly told me the other night that Docter is the new brand for the east German Zeiss werk. Under the commies it was Zeiss East.

This isn't directly responsive to your question, but CDNN has some Kahles fixed power large objective scopes for sale cheap: Kahles at CDNN