FOX MK2 Illuminated Swinger

How well is it built?

The MK2 Illuminated is built on the same lines as Fox's plain swingers, with a matt black anodised arm and weight, a light-reactive acrylic head and rubber shock absorbers on the bottom of the head. The difference is the electronics.

A lead runs from the head to a right-angled plug for the alarm, and the arm pivots from a streamlined attachment tab made to mount under a Micron.

The spring-loaded tensioning system is a step up in engineering from a basic swinger, and the fixed line gate keeps the head end simple and hard-wearing. It's a solid piece of kit, and the anodised finish should cope with plenty of seasons in a bag.

Is there anything to worry about? With a lead and a tension unit, there's simply more to look after than on a plain swinger, so the lead deserves a little care when you pack away. Even so, I think the 8.5 is fair for a build this well thought out.

Sensitivity & Visibility

This is where the MK2 Illuminated earns its score. You get two ways to set tension, the 80g sliding collar weight and the spring-loaded system, so the arm can be tuned for anything from a slack line at short range to a tight line at distance.

With that much adjustment, it should show a drop-back clearly, which matters on long-range work and drop-back rigs.

After dark, the lit head is a real advantage. Once the lead is plugged into an alarm that has power out, the head lights up on a take, and on a Micron it follows the alarm's LED so a drop-back shows on the indicator as well as the alarm.

The widened front end and light-reactive acrylic help by day, and there's still a Betalight slot if you want a constant glow.

For me, seeing which rod is going, right on the indicator, is the big plus. I think the 9.0 is well deserved.

Ease of Use

So, is it harder to use than a plain swinger? A little. You have to plug the lead into the alarm each time, and the head only lights when the alarm has a power-out facility, so it's worth checking yours before you buy. The spring tension also takes a moment to set for each swim.

Once that's done, it's simple enough. The fixed line gate takes the line without any adjustment, and the sliding weight and spring tension should stay put between bites. A case is sold separately, and it's handy for keeping the leads tidy and the heads protected between sessions.

Overall, it's a touch more fiddly than the Fox MK3 Swinger, which is why it scores 8.0, but there's nothing a carp angler won't get used to after a session or two. If you're happy to plug in a lead, it's very easy to live with.

Is it good value for money?

It's one of the dearer swingers you can buy, and a full set for three or four rods adds up quickly. What you get for the money is a lit head that ties in with a suitable alarm, two ways to adjust tension and the same solid build as Fox's plain swingers.

Is the light worth paying for? If you fish a lot of nights on Micron alarms, I think it is, because a lit head tells you which rod is going at a glance. If you fish mostly by day, the Fox MK3 Swinger gives you very similar indication without the lead.

Overall, I'd recommend the MK2 Illuminated Swinger to carp anglers who fish overnight with alarms that have a power-out facility, especially at range or with drop-back rigs. If you rarely fish after dark, a plain swinger makes more sense.