Swampfox Insights: You Asked, We Answered

We get asked a lot of questions. Some are answered in private email conversations with customers, others publicly on our social media. Some are variations of the same question, others are specific and unique.

We recently put out a request to our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X followers for Swampfox and optic-related questions and chose the best ones to answer in a Q&A-style video.

Watch the video below and continue reading for expanded answers to select questions, organized by topic.

When are Warhorse 1-8x and 1-10x coming out?

Short answer – not this year, unfortunately.

Despite continued development, and Warhorse 1-6x launching last fall, 1-8x and 1-10x models are not ready yet. Achieving desired clarity at both low and high-end magnifications is very difficult, and we don't want to release optics that don't meet the expectations of ourselves, or our customers.

That said, we see the comments and know many are eagerly awaiting its launch. Rest assured, when we have a notable update on the status of Warhorse 1-8x and 1-10x, we’ll let you know.

Are you on Gen 2 because first generation optics had repeated failures?

Yes, and no. While we’re proud of our Gen 1 optics, we’re also aware of some of their shortcomings. (We’ve seen the same torture test videos you have.) But technology has also greatly improved in the 3-5 years since many were first launched and are always striving to enhance our optic’s functionality, durability, and performance.

We think our Gen 2 dots and LPVOs are our best optics yet, but still offer Gen 1 optics on our Amazon store and through ecommerce partners for customers who prefer the originals.

Is a multi-reticle Kraken coming?

Not for the original Kraken. Make of that information what you will.

Any plans to follow a similar path to Vortex with both budget and higher-end LPVO offerings?

We have the manufacturing capability, but it’s important we balance our optic lineup. Regardless of price point, we want to continue producing quality optics that provide value to shooters.

Will there be an Arrowhead II?

Though we launched the second-generation Tomahawk II earlier this year, Arrowhead remains one of our best-selling optics with versatile magnification ranges, crystal clear glass clarity, and reliable durability. So, as of right now, we don’t have plans of an Arrowhead II. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

When will we see a full power hunting scope (i.e., 6.5 Grendel)?

This question requires a bit more context depending on the intended definition of “full power.”

If “full power” magnification, our Warhawk and Kentucky Long precision riflescopes are already offered in high magnifications (25x and 30x, respectively) – and we’re exploring even higher offerings. But if asking about optics that cater to larger calibers or calibers capable of longer range, shooters are almost never using full magnification at such distances because of the effect recoil can have on sight picture. It’s also worth noting that the average hunting shot distance is within 200 yards, which doesn’t require significant magnification.

Top or side-load battery Sentinel?

Both Sentinel and our newer Sentinel II micro pistol dots were intentionally designed with bottom load batteries. This placement not only allows for the use of a larger CR2032 battery for greater runtime but also keeps the optic deck height as low as possible when mounted.

Of course, this means the optic must be removed from the slide to change the battery and rezeroed, but we don’t see this as inconvenient as online rhetoric would otherwise lead you to believe. With Shake N’ Wake, your Sentinel II should last plenty long, and it’s always recommended to regularly shoot your carry/self-defense gun to ensure zero and maintain proficiency.

When will you make a magnifier, and will it work with Raider 1x?

We’ve kicked around the idea of magnifiers, but haven’t made a decision one way or another. Again, never say never.

As far as pairing a magnifier with our Raider 1x micro prism, we know they work when properly aligned and focused. TargetTamers.com recently published a thorough Raider review in which shot with a SIG Sauer Romeo3-Micro magnifier with success.

Will Swampfox ever venture into weapon mounted lights?

No – our primary focus has been, and remains, firearm optics. There are numerous manufacturers out there making bright, quality weapon lights better than we ever could, and the market is nearly as competitive as optics.

If you’ve got the money, SureFire and Cloud Defensive are hard to beat, but we also rock lights from Streamlight and Nightstick.

Why have Primary Arms and Swampfox both moved back to wire reticles with fiber optics?

While fiber optic reticles use traditional wires, they are not a “step back” in technology. In fact, quite the opposite. Fiber optic reticles replace a wire with an optical fiber rod that, when illuminated by an LED emitter, produces nuclear bright illumination compared to etched reticles. As a result, the Bright Fiber Optic (BFO) reticle of our Tomahawk II SFP LPVO is our brightest reticle across our entire optic lineup.

Once limited to more expensive riflescopes, optical fiber technology has become more affordable to produce, making the technology more accessible to more manufacturers. By our count, there are over three dozen fiber optic reticle riflescopes currently on the market from Primary Arms, Swampfox, and others.

How long with your pistol red dots hold zero?

It depends on use. If you mounted an optic to a gun and left it in a safe, untouched, for a year, it should maintain zero. However, if the same optic is mounted to gun that’s left loose in the center console of your truck for the same time frame, it may not hold zero after a year of bouncing around.

All that to say, we’re confident our pistol red dots will hold zero through expected use, whether weekends at the range or everyday carry. And if you find that they don’t, we’re committed to replacing optics under our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

I have an astigmatism. Should I go with the green Liberty II?

While green illuminated reticles can appear less distorted for those with astigmatism, everyone’s eyes are different and will see the same reticle differently. If you have experience shooting with a variety of dot sights to know red illumination gives your eyes fits, then green may be the better option. However, if you don’t have a lot of time behind optics, either color still may work depending on the optic and reticle. You may also find more complex reticles, like Liberty II’s red multi-reticle, is better than green illumination.

We recommend reading our blog on ‘Astigmatism and Red Dots' to learn more about astigmatism and looking at optics at your local dealer/gun range to get a better idea what works best for your eyes. Also know every Swampfox optic is protected by a 30-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee. If your chosen reticle or illumination color doesn’t work for your astigmatism, simply return it for an exchange or full refund.

Any plans to manufacture in the U.S., or at least not in China?

Our team and manufacturing facilities in China are the reason why Swampfox is able to provide quality optics at affordable prices. But, as a growing and evolving U.S.-owned company, we’re always looking for ways to expand our manufacturing capabilities. We know manufacturing stateside is more expensive than overseas, and that the cost increase is often passed onto the consumer, but we remain interested in ways to pair our American Revolution namesake with American-made optics while staying true to our mission.

Are any law enforcement agencies running your pistol optics?

Yes – we’re proud to say that numerous law enforcement agencies around the country are using Swampfox pistol dots on their duty weapons, and others are using our LPVOs.

With many departments operating on small budgets, outfitting every officer with expensive gear can be a real challenge. That’s where we can help, offering quality and reliable optics at a fraction of the cost.

Have a Question?

Leave your question in a comment below or on our YouTube video and we'll try to answer it in a future Q&A video!