The MantisX is a small black plastic box containing a sending unit that attaches to the rail of your weapon; simply put it’s a smart sensor that attaches to your firearm. Its objective is to help you increase your shooting performance and better manipulate your trigger correctly. It tracks and sends that data real time to your smart phone or tablet recording for feedback. MantisX tracks and records your long term and short term performance for review giving you guidance, feedback throughout the dry and live fire practice session with numerous adapted innovative programs.
I purchased this product in 2019 and have been using since that time intermittently. I have no professional and or personal association with this manufacturer. I ordered it online, paying full suggested retail price to evaluate for the purposes of using it during classes for instruction of new students, and enhancing performance of long time shooters.
The MantisX device retails for approx. $150.00USD, it comes shipped in a small box. Inside the box is the device inside a foam lined zippered case for transport, in addition there’s an adaptor for Glock 17 and 19 that don’t have rails for ease of attachment. I was extremely curious about this device and its usefulness for training new shooters as well as enhancing my own skills. You have the ability to mount this on many types, models and designs of handguns. The unit is very small, lite and attaches to the rail system of your weapon. It’s rechargeable with a standard USB cable. It’s held with a bolt through the device that is screwed down on the rail to retain it during use. To holster the pistol with the MantisX attached you will need a holster that accommodates a light.
First you’re going to have down-load the free software for the device (Apple or Android) into your phone or other computer device. Turn the device on, and then it will signal to the phone through bluetooth, now link up with your smart phone. Once the MantisX is in use it gives you analytical diagnosis of your performance within the programs it supports, which are many. The company is also expanding and evolving the software updates and greater intuitive design responses. The MantisX evaluates and provides input for improvements of your performance as well. The MantisX also works in conjunction with rifles. Obviously ensure the weapon is empty and unloaded before attaching the device. Now activate the device and link your smart phone and begin. Lay the weapon down and don’t move it. The system will now go through a calibration process. During the initial set up process you’re going to answer a list of questions in the software to customize the program to you and your weapon. Once it’s set up move through the prompts to begin. When you begin a session it will have you dry practice five rounds, it takes the data from 300 milliseconds prior to and during trigger press, it feeds that back and rates performance based on your hand and finger motions. During depression of the trigger it delivers that information back to the program and records it on a data sheet for record. This gives you a read out of your performance displayed on the screen numerically. Performance is graded 1-100. A score of 100 is best and 1 being worst, the lower the number the worse / poor your performance. So now that you’re linked up, begin dry practice, it will feed back. On the display screen of the phone or tablet a score will appear, you can touch the screen and it will now explain what you have done wrong and how to improve. The program also has numerous screens you can move through to give you further analytical data for performance enhancement. One of the display screens is designed for performance review, it shows a target and it tracks the arc movement of the muzzle prior to the shot breaking. Several of the programs allow you to compete against yourself and track performance in timed exercises. The program has an expansive array of different functional drills and exercises to select from for practice sessions. Ok, so that’s the basics of the operations and the intent of the MantisX. Once you have worked it during dry practice, now go to the range and do exactly the same exercises live fire with the MantisX with the program linked and the device attached. You have the ability to perform all the dry practice with your handgun or rifle and then go to the range and proof it live fire. The MantisX works with any firearm that has an attachment rail. You can use this on real firearms, laser pistols, and airsoft or simulation weapons. You have the ability to train anywhere and anytime with and without ammunition.
The product arrived about a week after ordering it. I removed it from the box, glanced at the device and attached to the pistol. I went online down loaded the program and began training with the product. The entire process took me less than an hour and was extremely intuitive and easy. It functioned well, performed as advertised from the very beginning, which is highly unusual. I spent the next week working with the device training daily for approx. 30 minutes each day. My performance was markedly improved within two days and then stabilized. I now train with it once a week doing dry practice and occasionally taking it out to live fire. I have traveled with the device in my luggage and to groups outside the United States.
Conclusion:
I work for different companies and groups as a contract instructor besides having my own training firm. I use the MantisX extensively and have found it to be an invaluable tool. It allows me to more rapidly train clients, more effectively in shorter periods of time for peak performance. This device has replaced several other products that are three to four times the price. I have used the device extensively with problem shooters in the military and made corrections long before arriving at the range. It has enhanced their scores, developed greater confidence and accelerated the learning curve for all. I typically use the device in conjunction with a video program and coaching methods. I highly recommend the MantisX for new shooters, long term shooters and or professionals. The MantisX is an excellent value, worth the money and works completely as advertised. It’s solid state and the company stands behind the product 100% for replacement and or repair. I consider this device a must for all instructors to use for students to enhance performance in the shortest possible time frames. The best part of the use of the MantisX, you can use it long before the student begins live fire, and developing a possible flinch reaction, convulsing the weapon under recoil. You have the ability to track their performance prior to and during the live fire. This allows you to show the client objectively what they are doing and then gaining their confidence rapidly and follow instructions. With the combination of video, intermittent dummy rounds and drills you will enhance performance extremely rapidly. Since the purchasing the first MantisX we have bought two more. The MantisX has gone through some evolutions and improved during this time.
I cannot more highly recommend this device and its usefulness to all of any skill level. Be safe!