The MantisX is a rail mounted firearms training system that sends data to a tablet or smart phone application. New versions (below) are smaller, lighter, and have more features.
One of the best ways to improve one’s marksmanship is to practice dry fire. Building muscle memory (or neural pathway development if you prefer) is key to mastering a skill such as shooting accurately – particularly for pistol shooters. MantisX has been developing hardware and software to help make dryfire sessions more productive.
One of the scoring screens that is displayed on the shooter’s tablet or smart phone
A few years ago MantisX introduced their firearms training system with a rail mounted module that tracks the shooter’s movement before the trigger is pulled. The unit sends data to your smart phone or tablet to display visual and quantitative feedback regarding what was going on just before the trigger pull. The system can be used with any firearm that has a standard rail, and it can be used for either dry fire or live fire. For each shot the shooter gets a score based on how still the gun was held before the shot. There is also a visual that traces the movement of the gun.
MantisX3 (above) and MantisX10 (below) are upgraded versions of the original system
New this year is the X3, which is identical in functionality to the original MantisX, but the X3 is about half the size and weight of the original. The X3 is also quick disconnect instead of the knurled screw attachment of the older model. “It will fit a picatinny rail and all of the standard guns” according to a company representative. The X3 also charges with a USB port and has extended battery life — 24 hours after a one hour charge.
Also new this year is the X10, which is slightly different in appearance than the X3 with serrations on the side. The X10 has all the features of the X3, but also has recoil management – the X10 records what happens after the shot. Another added feature of the X10 is holster draw analysis. The X10 will fit into any holster that is built for pistol with a rail mounted light. Finally, magazine floor plate adapters will be available for gun/holster combinations that do not have a mounted light.
This screen shows the shooter exactly how the gun moved just before the shot
How good is the system? According to the people at MantisX, an as-yet-unnamed military unit conducted a study in which one group of new recruits used MantisX training support and the other group did not. The study concluded that the group of recruits that had use of the MantisX qualified more quickly and with better scores than the group without the system.
The new MantisX3 and X10 units will be available in March of 2019 and have MSRPs of $169.99 and $249.99 respectively.
Learn more by clicking HERE
MantisX is an excellent product with excellent product support.
I was an early adaptor and the feedback provided by the device definitely improved my trigger control and finger placement because I became aware of my faults and what corrective action I needed to make.
Over the last several years, the software upgrades have continued to provide enhanced feedback such that I use the device every several months just to determine what else I can learn.
The latest version, that has audio reading of the score while firing, helps me keep my concentration by not having to look at the tablet screen for the score after each shot.
Of course, if the score is low I do look to see what I did wrong.
It paid for itself by the money I saved on ammunition through dry fire practice in my home.
I go to an outside range so if the weather is bad I can still get some trigger practice in by using the MantisX.
I attach the device using the rail on most firearms but using the magazine attachments work just as well for those that don’t have a rail.
I’ve used it with .22 LR pistols to .223 AR firearms in live fire and the device worked fine on all of them.