Last updated on August 8th, 2026
I tested the SwampDeer 1.2-6×20 LPVO on a Henry lever-action .22. It was an inexpensive, compact optic supplied with basic rings, and it did the simple job I bought it for. The test also exposed the compromises: obvious chromatic aberration around the image and no reason to trust it on a hard-recoiling rifle without much more durability testing.
Review basis: this is a hands-on review of the sample shown in the photos and video. I zeroed and used it on a rimfire, but I did not run a formal tracking box test, recoil endurance test or waterproof immersion test. The comments below stay inside that evidence.
Quick verdict: useful as a very cheap rimfire or casual-range LPVO when expectations are realistic. The simple reticle, capped 1/4 MOA adjustments and easy magnification ring worked, but edge colour fringing and uncertain model support keep it away from serious hunting or high-recoil use.
SwampDeer 1.2-6×20 Specifications
| Feature | Tested optic |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 1.2-6x |
| Objective lens | 20mm |
| Main tube | 1 inch / 25.4mm, not 20mm |
| Adjustment | 1/4 MOA per click |
| Turrets | Capped elevation and windage |
| Reticle | Simple crosshair |
| Recorded weight | About 300g for the sample |
| Included | Basic rings, lens cloth and instructions |
| Test rifle | Henry lever-action .22 |
The original article called the body a 20mm tube. That confused objective diameter with tube diameter. The supplied rings and the product format are consistent with a 1-inch tube, while 20mm refers to the objective lens.
Mounting and Zeroing
The included rings made the package convenient, but bundled rings should still be treated as part of a budget kit. I checked that the bases seated correctly, set eye relief before tightening, and used the capped turrets to establish zero. The adjustments moved impact as needed during sight-in and the caps went back on without fuss.
That is enough to say the turrets were usable for zeroing. It is not enough to claim perfect tracking across the full adjustment range. This scope is better treated as a set-and-forget optic than as something to dial repeatedly at distance.
Glass Quality and Reticle
I could identify targets at 100, 200 and 300 metres through the scope, which was adequate for the rimfire test. The main optical weakness was chromatic aberration around the edge of the image at every magnification. It did not stop the scope being used, but it was easy to see and it separated the SwampDeer from better-supported LPVOs.
The uncomplicated crosshair suited the optic. It was quicker to understand than a crowded tactical reticle and worked for holding a conventional point of aim. There is no detailed subtension system to learn, but there is also little help for measured wind or elevation holds.
Magnification and Field Handling
The magnification ring had enough resistance to stay where it was set without being awkward to turn. On the Henry, the compact size and roughly 300g weight kept the rifle handy. The 1.2x bottom end is not a true 1x view, so it does not disappear in the same way as a good red dot or a better true-1x LPVO.
At the top end, 6x was useful for small targets and checking aim more carefully. The optic did not turn the .22 into a 300-metre precision system; it simply gave enough magnification to see and engage targets at the distances used in the test.
Durability and Current Support
I only used this sample on a .22. I would not take that rimfire result as evidence that the same scope will hold zero on a magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun. SwampDeer still operates as a Chinese optics manufacturer, but this exact 1.2-6×20 model is not prominent in its current range. Before buying old stock, confirm who handles warranty service and whether replacement parts or matching rings are available.
The scope was marketed as waterproof, but I did not pressure-test or immerse it. Treat that as a product claim rather than a result from this review.
Who This LPVO Suits
| Use | Fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Rimfire plinking and casual range use | Reasonable | Low recoil and modest expectations suit the test evidence |
| Budget lever-action setup | Possible | Compact and simple if eye relief and mount height work |
| Centrefire hunting rifle | Cautious | Support, low-light image and recoil durability need stronger proof |
| Repeated long-range dialing | Poor | No formal tracking or return-to-zero test |
| Hard-recoiling rifle or shotgun | Not recommended from this test | The rimfire test does not establish recoil endurance |
For a more current, Australian-supported option, compare the ZeroTech Thrive HD 1-8×24 review. The broader LPVO guide explains where spending more improves the eyebox, illumination, warranty and adjustment system.
SwampDeer 1.2-6×20 Verdict
On the Henry .22, the SwampDeer did what a cheap LPVO needed to do. It mounted easily, zeroed without drama, gave enough magnification for the targets I used and kept the rifle light. The honest limitations are equally important: visible edge colour, a 1.2x rather than true-1x low end, no exhaustive tracking test and no evidence here for heavy-recoil durability.
I would keep it in the rimfire and casual-range category. If the optic is priced close to a current model with a known local warranty, the better-supported scope is the more sensible buy.
FAQ
Is the SwampDeer 1.2-6×20 a true 1x LPVO?
No. Its lowest marked magnification is 1.2x, so it does not provide the same view as a genuine 1x optic.
What size rings does it use?
The tested scope uses a 1-inch / 25.4mm main tube. The 20mm figure refers to the objective lens, not the tube.
Did it track correctly?
The turrets moved impact as required while zeroing, but I did not complete a measured box test or tall-target test. It should not be described as fully tracking-tested.
Would I use it on a centrefire rifle?
The test only supports use on a low-recoil rimfire. I would choose a more established optic for a hard-used centrefire or shotgun.
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