Swampfox Sentinel II Review: A Tough EDC Red Dot

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Micro red dot sights have become increasingly popular and make up one of the most competitive markets for firearms accessories. The rising number of gun owners with concealed carry licenses has skyrocketed the demand for quality, affordable red dots. Swampfox has met this demand with its Sentinel II micro red dot.

Tailored for everyday carry (EDC) pistols, the Sentinel II enhances the shooter’s ability to engage their target, ensure their rounds hit what they are shooting at, and avoid hitting things they are not.

An upgrade over its predecessor, the Sentinel I, this review will explore the Sentinel II’s features, performance, and overall value.

I am a long-term and passionate member of the gun community. I have more firearms than my wife is comfortable with, and I have used them to target shoot or hunt for my entire adult life. In addition to my experiences with using firearms, I am always working to further my firearms knowledge by learning from others in the community. My evaluation is based on hands-on testing of the Sentinel II and extensive research into the red dot.

The Swampfox Sentinel II is a compact and lightweight red dot, ideal for your EDC pistol. I’ve been carrying mine on a Taurus GX4, and it is a perfect fit for similar-style pistols.

The lightweight design does not equal lightweight durability. Swampfox uses 7075-T6 aluminum for the Sentinel’s body, and the optic carries an IPX7 waterproof rating. Swampfox also uses a high-quality multi-coated lens that provides excellent clarity and light transition. Combine all these features, and you have an optic built to withstand the stresses of everyday concealed carry use.

Improvements: The Sentinel II builds upon the solid foundation of the original Sentinel by improving the optic’s battery life to 50,000 hours. Another improvement of the Sentinel II over the original is a larger 20mm objective window. Lastly, we can’t forget about the removable rear sight guide, which can help when your pistol’s iron sights are unusable.

Ergonomics: The Sentinel II is compact and lightweight, and its RSMc footprint allows it to fit on slimline pistols. The controls are intuitive, allowing for easy adjustments.

Accuracy and Reliability: The Sentinel II consistently delivered precise shots during our testing, maintaining zero even after long-term use. The 3 MOA dot is crisp and easy to acquire, allowing for quick target acquisition.

Battery Compartment: I feel like this complaint is a bit unfair because of the red dot’s compact footprint, but I also complain about this with other optics, so I am going to include it here as well.

The optic has to be removed from the firearm for the battery to be replaced. It’s an inconvenience, and if you are like me and get distracted easily, it could lead to you putting your optic down somewhere and forgetting where that is. It also means you may have to verify your zero again.

Cost Considerations: If you are a buyer on a budget, cheaper options are available. However, you may not find many with the same level of features in the same affordable price range.

Swampfox Sentinel II is ideal for law enforcement officers, those who want to carry a tough-as-nails red dot, or anyone who wants a reliable and compact red dot sight for their EDC pistol. It is excellent in situations that require quick target acquisition and will handle harsh conditions well.

I’ve been testing the Swampfox Sentinel II on my Taurus GX4 TORO. I’ve carried it through daily activities and around my farm, took it to the range, and used it during dry fire practice. It excelled in all conditions I tried it in. It also did well in multiple light conditions from early morning to midday and late evening.

At the range, I found it easy to quickly acquire and transition between targets, as the 3 MOA dot was easy to see and facilitated precise shot placement. The optic never had to be readjusted once zeroed, and I experienced no malfunctions. Neither recoil nor rough handling caused an issue.

Durable Construction

The Sentinel II is made from 7075-T6 Aluminum, which gives it plenty of strength to withstand rough handling and harsh conditions. Durability is crucial for a concealed carry optic, and the Sentinel II is up to the task. Combine the Sentinel II with the Ironsides Shield, and you are even more prepared.

Shake N’ Wake

When something goes bump in the night, you want your optic to be ready to go the second you grab your pistol. The Shake N’ Wake auto on/off feature should be on every optic you plan to use for defense, in my opinion. It protects the battery’s life while ensuring that you are ready for any situation at a moment’s notice.

Patented Rear Sight Guide

If you’ve ever installed an optic and been disappointed when you find that you rear sights are blocked, this will be one of your favorite features.

The removable sight guide is installed in front of the window to provide backup support for just those scenarios. It’s included in the box and comes with titanium screws to match the superior durability.

Waterproof Rating

Worried your EDC and Sentinel II might get wet? The IPX7 waterproof rating means your Sentinel II can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. You don’t want to worry about not being able to use your optic in inclement weather conditions.

Reliability (10/10)  

The Sentinel II performed flawlessly during our tests, maintaining zero and functioning perfectly in various conditions.

Ergonomics (8/10)

Its compact design and intuitive controls make it easy to use, though the battery compartment could be more accessible.

Customization (8/10)

There is not much to customize on a micro red dot. It is nice that you can add the Ironsides Shield if you want. Plus, there are ten brightness settings.

Appearance (8/10)

Sleek and professional design that complements any firearm.

Value (8/10)

It offers excellent features for its price, though cheaper alternatives are available.

Ironsides Shield

When you need an extra layer of protection, the Ironsides Shield is the perfect accessory. Constructed from SUS304 Stainless Steel and featuring a wear-resistant matte black PVD coating, it allows you to rest easy knowing your optic has added protection against drops, dings, and all the things that come with hard use.

Holosun 407K

The Holosun HS407K X2 is a more budget-friendly alternative to the Sentinel II, offering similar performance with a more spartan feature set. It has a 6 MOA dot, which some users prefer for faster target acquisition, especially in defensive scenarios. The side-mounted battery compartment also allows easy battery changes without removing the optic from your firearm.

The Swampfox Sentinel II is a quality micro red dot that has proven to be reliable and durable for us, especially when combined with the Ironsides Shield, which excels in real-world EDC use. As I have stated in many of my articles, I live on a farm, and gear that isn’t up to snuff doesn’t make it. The Sentinel II made it.

While the battery compartment design could be improved, its overall performance and features make it a compelling choice at its price point.

If you are looking for a dependable and high-quality red dot sight, the Sentinel II deserves a long look. Plus, Swampfox backs its optics with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That being said, if you like quality optics, you probably won’t be returning your Sentinel II within 30 days. It will be sitting on your EDC, putting in solid work.