Not tried one but from what they say they have eliminated the grommet destruction by adding a bearing onto the armature nipple.

Aside from that I don't see anything else.

I've used a really cheap swashdrive copy and it was pretty smooth, however as expected from a shit Chinese knock off it fell apart after 3 tattoos. No really the tube vice literally fell off !!!

It also wore through disposable tubes, destroyed grommets in like 10 mins and snapped rubber bands at least twice per tattoo.

Awesome don't ya think :)

The Gen 7 Swashdrive now has an aluminium bridge over the top of the machine with a bearing that supports the electric motor shaft. This takes all the flex out of the shaft and cuts down on vibration. The biggest change to the new model is called a 'give clip' which softens the hit from previous models. The machine is supplied with the give clips and the old solid models as well if you prefer that feel. I use Gen 6 and Gen 7 machines and have retro-fitted the give clip to the Gen 6. I have found the Gen 7 to be noticeably quieter and smoother when the bearing pre-load is adjusted properly.

What is " bearing pre-load"?
I´ve never had any problem with grommet eating, I use surgical cloth tape.
My swashdrive 7 vibrates and sounds more than my 6. Weird thing, I´ve had another 6 and it sounded even more, aswell as my friends machines. There something special about my first swash 6, so quiet and smooth.. Made me think there was something wrong when i got another.

At the top of the machine there is a steel bush that holds the main bearing onto the electric motor shaft using a small grub screw. If you loosen the grub screw you can move that bush up or down on the shaft.
When you move it up or down you will feel some spring type resistance or tension generated by the polyamide clip. If you tighten the grub screw when you have that small amount of tension it will exert some pressure on the bearing and reduce the noise considerably. This does nothing to harm the bearing. I also put a drop or two of oil in the bearings of my Gen 6s because they had done a few hours and this quietened them even more. When you put the oil in, make sure you gently prize up the edge of the plastic seal so the oil actually gets into the bearing. My Gen 6s work best when I put a little pressure downward on the bearing before tightening and the Gen 7 works best with upward pressure. The Gen 7 is now amazingly quiet and smooth and the Gen 6 isn't far behind. You will have to experiment with the pressures but when you get them right you will be amazed at the difference. Just remember, bearings are made to cope with some pressure and can make noises without it. I'd be interested to know how you go with it.