SWFA SS 10x42 Gen 2 vs Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40
SWFA SS 10x42 Gen 2 is a 10×42 SFP on a 30 mm tube with MRAD turrets; Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 is a 4-12×40 SFP on a 1-inch tube with MOA turrets. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 is lighter by 3.3 oz. The SWFA SS 10x42 Gen 2 has more elevation travel, 137.5 MOA to 70 MOA in the same unit. At its top magnification the SWFA SS 10x42 Gen 2 keeps a 4.2 mm exit pupil against 3.3 mm for the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 — estimated from the layout, not measured. On our last catalog check the SWFA SS 10x42 Gen 2 listed for about $100 less.
| Spec | SWFASWFA SS 10x42 Gen 2 | VortexVortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$350 | ~$450 |
| Magnification | 10× | 4-12× |
| Objective lens | 42 mm | 40 mm |
| Focal plane | SFP | SFP |
| Reticle | Mil-Quad | VMR-1 MOA |
| Illuminated | No | No |
| Turret unit | MRAD | MOA |
| Per click | 0.1 MRAD (0.36″ at 100 yd) | 0.25 MOA (0.26″ at 100 yd) |
| Elevation travel | 40 MRAD (≈137.5 MOA) | 70 MOA (≈20.4 MRAD) |
| Windage travel | 40 MRAD | 70 MOA |
| Zero stop | Yes | No |
| Turrets | Exposed | Exposed |
| Parallax | Rear focus from 10.9 yd | Fixed 100 yd |
| Eye relief | 3.6″ | 3.9″ |
| Field of view | 11.8 ft at 100 yd | 23.6–7.9 ft at 100 yd |
| Tube | 30 mm | 1-inch |
| Length | 14.1″ | 14.1″ |
| Weight | 20.8 oz | 17.5 oz |
| Warranty | SWFA SS 4-LIFE Warranty | VIP unlimited unconditional lifetime |
| Exit pupilest. | 4.2 mm | 10–3.3 mm (4×–12×) |
| Twilight factorest. | 20.5 at 10× | 21.9 at 12× |
| Zoom ratioest. | Fixed power | 3× |
| Where to buy | SWFA → | Vortex → |
Tinted rows are where these two differ. Rows marked est. are computed, not published.
Exit pupil and twilight factor are computed from the published magnification and objective diameter, not measured. Real exit pupil is also capped by the erector at low magnification, and coatings and glass quality move low-light performance in ways the formula cannot see — read these as comparisons between layouts, not verdicts on scopes.