Designed by Maztech Industries, the X4-Fire Control System (FCS) is going to revolutionize the shooting world. Built as the motherboard for many future systems, the FCS housing will provide “real-time ballistic calculations using temperature, pressure, humidity, altitude, pitch, roll, and heading. Combining these parameters with user-supplied bullet and firearm data, the X4-FCS generates a precision ballistic compensated offset reticle.”
The X4-FCS provides a real-time ballistics calculator with environmental sensors that will be digitally overlaid in the window of most 30 and 34mm low powered variable optics (LPVOs). This allows users to mount their current day optic to this system, re-zero, enter the parameters and then have custom holds displayed on their reticle. The system will give the equivalent of a 1.93″ mount allowing for the higher cheek weld everyone is after these days.
The X4-FCS is machined down from a solid 7075-T6 aluminum billet and is designed to meet MIL-STD-810 environmental specifications. It is IP67 rated to work at least 30 minutes under 1 meter of water as well as stand up to dust and sand. The operating temperature range is listed as -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mounting to MIL-STD-1913 rails, this system is very versatile. Utilizing two 18650 or 4 CR123A batteries, the X4-FCS has the juice to stay powered up for around 520 hours.
Partnering with Magpul, Maztech is also working on proprietary mags, that will show the exact round count on the digital overlay shown in the reticle.
Designed to be the beginning of a whole ecosystem, the X4-FCS will be able to display many other forms of relevant information. What I am most excited about is the combination of the FCS, with the bolt-on X4 laser rangefinder (LRF) which is supposed to be released in early 2023. The LRF paired with the FCS will allow for real-time rangefinding and ballistics calculations to dramatically decrease engagement times for further targets.
This technology is going to allow inexperienced shooters to get consistent hits at extended distances. The biggest downside I have seen is the weight. Coming in at 20.8oz in addition to whatever LPVO you decide to run, this will not be a lightweight setup. However, when expecting shots to go out past 300 yards this is going to be a complete game-changer.
Maztech is expecting to ship these X4 Fire Control Systems by the end of 2022 and will be adding situational awareness components to integrate soon thereafter. With an estimated MSRP of somewhere in the low $2,000s, this powerful technology way undercuts current ballistic calculators and will be sold directly to civilians.
Check out the video below for more information from Magpul:
Why would I ever spend this much on a sighting system when I can do everything this unit does with a $125 Tasco? It is lucky for you that some of these folks have expendable cash. The problem here is that if you can’t hold steady or keep the cant of your rifle correct, this expensive toy is going to do nothing to help. I don’t see any tactical teams using these systems with any regularity yet.
$2k+ to do what my grandpappy used to do with a wet finger.
“heading” ?
I wasn’t aware that ‘heading’ was a ballistic influence.
So, I should shoot at Prairie Poodles differently dependent on the compass bearing???
LOL!! Just messin with ya!
Only when you are shooting so far you need to worry about Coriolis affecting your terminal impact.
Extreme long range has an effect on heading due to the earth’s rotation and the coreolis effect.
I don’t see this being wildly successful. Granted, I’m not a dedicated long range guy, but It’s my understanding that most dedicated long range guys generally opt for a good bolt gun and a high dollar optic that it probably not going to be an lpvo. As far as I can tell the most popular models are usually 1-6. The intended range is Is much less than what I would consider “long range”, and most of them have a BDC integrated into the reticle.
So it’s mounted on an AR, with an LPVO that already weighs 20-30 ounces, it weighs almost 21 ounces itself and this doesn’t mention if that weight includes a couple of 18650’s. And it costs 2 grand? If the target market is inexperienced shooters, that means they’re most likely new shooters. New shooters aren’t going to build a rifle, buy a quality optic, and then drop another 2 grand on something like this. I just don’t see it.
Perhaps I’m too old school, but shouldn’t a reader expect a journalist to define every acronym in their articles? This story is full of them: LPVO, LRF, etc. After reading the story 2x, I’m still confused.
The bigger question is how this system will accommodate all of the possible rifle platforms, barrel lengths, compensators, surpressors, and the like. This optic can’t possibly be “one size fits all”.
Sorry for not being more clear.
LPVO- Low powered variable optic
LRF- Laser rangefinder
As for the one size fits all function, it is a ballistics calculator. Once you chronograph the rounds you are using, and enter the BC for those rounds it should take care of the rest. If you switch barrels or ammo you will have to enter all that info again, but the X4 fire control system can store up to 25 different ballistic profiles at a time.
I believe the author said that it will accept individual rifle ballistics. That’s all that it needs or any ballistic solver for that matter. Velocity and bullet info. That takes into account barrel length or anything else on the gun that affects the velocity. You can switch between different rifles ballistics for mounting on different rifles. Gun 1, gun2, etc. No different than any other high dollar laser range finder, LRF, that has a ballistics solver on it along with sensors and now can show on a map the exact spot on earth you’re ranging. Just now mounted on a rifle itself.