I had rewind the part about dry-fire shooting light fixtures over and over again just so my wife could hear it. Now she knows there is at least one other husband out there doing it.
Just so you know, there's nothing in the Mantis that sees your screen. It doesn't know if you're pointing at your phone or a light socket, it just measures the response of the weapon through a draw or trigger pull to determine if your pull had any effect on the dynamics of the weapon. You can keep your phone next to you and aim at anything and the results are still completely valid.
Right, if you hit the highest score possible which is 99.9% it might be a bullseye shot at 7 yards but barely on the target at 50 yards. The Mantis people don’t explain the distances or calibrations they use. You would have to use it live fire to maybe figure that out. Maybe put your pistol in a Vise to get the highest scores possible and shoot from different distances to determine their calibration of pistol movement.
Me too. Hang up your favorite targets and dry fire away. Mantis has also released a laser training system too. I did the beta testing and it works pretty well. Pair a cheap laser cartridge and have fun.
I love my mantis. Been using it for about a year. I turn my volume up and go from the beep instead of the GO. It also allows me to train in my big truck while I am on the road. I bought a base plate adapter for my sig instead of on the rail. Another great point to the mantis is you can follow other people. I am part of a dry fire group and we do challenges all the time to help push each other to train and get better.
I have one and fiddled with it a bit. I don't see much utility for myself but I did use it on a student's gun just a few days ago and it helped to get the light bulb go on for him as far as being consistent in prep and press. It was like beating my head against a wall talking to the guy but once he saw/heard the scores for each press it was like magic. I pride myself on my articulation skills and this guy gave me a real kick in the nuts. I'm glad I had the mantis available and thought to try it.
As everyone has said, you point it at whatever you want, not the phone. We used tablets laying on the desk. After 60 years of pistol shooting I've gotten noticeably better since we got the Mantis. For draw my wife has to use a magazine adapter as her carry gun has no rail but that works just fine. We had to buy an adapter but well worth it. Undoubtedly the best 250 bucks we have spent. More improvement than I got with 8000 rounds of 9mm in a year. Think what that ammo would cost today... Edited to add, combine with laser bullet for maximum fun and results. When you shoot the light switch you see a red flash as well as the machine telling you where you hit.
The Mantis is a great enhancement to my dry fire practice. Add a laser cartridge and some scaled targets and you can setup stages to practice. The Mantis has an audio mode that is great- does the shot timer beep and there's even an audio feedback mode for your shots so you get a 'ding' when you shoot above the threshold or a 'gong' when you don't. That makes is easy because you don't have to keep looking at the screen. The web application is also nice and something I just discovered. For dryfire, I use my iPad and my iPhone when I'm at the range. I have 14k shots on the iPad in 14 months of usage. I have the x3 which lacks some of the bells and whistles but is still very effective. Battery life is awesome- one charge will last me a month. (hint: there's a battery life approximation in the settings page). The Mantis has improved my skills and I have saved a boatload on ammo. With COVID ammo shortages, I cut my range trips to once a month now. I had no idea how helpful the Mantis would be. Favorite drills: 1. do the training courses- I'm stuck on Elite at the moment 2. hostage taker 3. shot timer 4. open training Buy this device- I think you will really enjoy it!
Got the X10 a couple weeks ago and I'm loving it. It's an accelerometer that tracks the pistol motion & detects the striker hit. Software is great. I've learned a bunch from laser pointers, but this is next-level.
FYI: on my H&K 45ct, it only fits on backwards. It’s a single slot rail so I suppose it’s because of position of the rail slot relative to the front of the trigger guard. Awesome videos btw.
My favorite product. I’ve got over 7000 rounds on mine and love it for dry, C02 and live fire. I did 100+ rounds of live fire with it tonight. Blackbeard in a AR with MantisX Laser Academy is a blast too.
I'm a HuGE fan and advocate of the Mantis X system.I was a skeptic and thought it was a gimmick until aI saw it used by quite a few folks at the range a few years back, and actually saw their exponential improvement with my own eyes. I use it often and a good way to stay frosty amid the ammo shortage. And with the app a good way to compete and troll your shooting friends as you can compare and contrast scores.
A good review. Another youtuber, Texas Plinker, got me onto the MantisX about 2 years ago and I bought one immediately. Really helps diagnose grip and trigger problems.
I was literally looking at this product yesterday and hoping someone (who's opinion I trusted) would do a review on it! Searched RU-vid with no luck but then look at what popped up today! Thank you.
I just bought one 2 weeks ago and I’m very happy with it! Little advice, you don’t need to point at the app on the phone with your gun. I have the phone always next to me so in immediately see the results. Mantis does not require a target. However, I target on to a IPSC target. Furthermore instead of using a “light” holster where the gun fits in with the mantis mounted on the tail, they sell rail adapters which you can mount on the base of your Magazin. That makes it much easier and even more versatile. The MantisX10 can also be used with rifles, shotgun even with a bow (there is a different app for that). I use it in combination with a laser bullet and a app, which records those hits. This way I have the direct feedback of the target, I see if I’ve hit the alpha, charly, delta what I was aiming for and I have the ultimate analysis via the Mantis. During these lockdown times we have here in Europe, where ranges are closed, it is definitely a very valuable tool!
I bought mine last year as we in the US went into lockdown. Like you, I found it invaluable. It also helped keep me sane. I primarily use it with my M9 with a magazine mount. If I am using it on a gun without a red dot (like my M9), then I use a laser bullet. Otherwise, I just use the red dot for feedback.
Shot 220 rounds through my new CZ Compact SDP today. Cost .80 cents a round but it was for my 30th so well worth it! This is what I plan to be using for the next 200+ shots at my living room gun range. Love your channel and thanks for all of the advice!
Turning the voice on in the app helps a ton and you can keep it next to you because it’s measuring using the sensor - it doesn’t care where the phone is. This is why I use a G-Sight ELMS or Pink Rhino laser bullet so you have visual feedback of your shot
Thanks for validating the dry fire exercises! With the closest range a 30 min drive away, I do a lot of dry fire in my house. Ironically, also late at night and aiming at light switches. Probably because it's a nice small target that stands out in low light and I'm always able to find one in a safe location for practice.
Mantis, Just to add to your review, turn up the sound, as the Mantis gives a voice response for accuracy, just point it at your target on the range or point it at any target in the house because the gyroscope measures your accuracy so you don't point it at the phone. For the holster drawing i have mine mounted to the bottom of my magazine with a mantis adapter so it works in any holster. The rubber pieces in the case are spacers for various rifles or shotguns that someone would like to mount the mantis to. Keep up the great work. Wilf
A solid idea and execution. Biggest flaw is that it does not correlate your performance with actual targeting (for instance, in live fire, you can hit the X and get an 80 rating on your shot and send a flyer to the left that rates out on the Mantis as a 94.) It is monitoring the motion of the gun and your manipulation of it and your trigger and doesn’t really index against where you’re shooting. A lot of features that actually work, unlike those crappy systems that use a laser round and any number of really lame tracking platforms.
I have been using the G-Sight ELMS for less than 80 dollars. The G-Sight system works well requiring some minor adjustments to the length of cartridge depending on which pistol you use since some have longer firing pins than others. Looks like the Mantis will work on everything and you will not have to buy replacement end caps when they wear out from use. Perhaps I will consider the Mantis system.
Also, you don’t need to put the phone across the room and aim at it. You can aim at any target and the system will read it. Leave you phone with you for instant feedback and put a 1/3 USPSA target on the wall... 😁
They also sell butt plates for your mags that have a rail on them. they work great for railless guns and for holster work without having to have a special holster.
If you have this get the laser training system also get the Blackbeard for your AR hey if you're looking for the same kind of firing without racking the slide all the time might have to buy a training Glock with a reset trigger and there laser it'll work with mantis I've got one so you don't have to keep rack in the slide enjoy
They make magazine base plates for all the big gun brands that will allow Mantis to attach to bottom of magazine so quick draw practice can be done with your own holster. You can use the set up you have for C/C and get realistic quick draw repetition.
I purchased at least 10 guns mostly based on your reviews and well personal preference. I have pretty big hands and often find guns that fit you well also fit me pretty well. Luck o' the Irish I suppose. Have been interested in a product like this for dry firing. I think it's a great idea for our current environment.
You are such a great teacher! I very much appreciate your candor, honesty, and sense of humor! Is there a quality all-in-one training pistol system that does NOT require a firearm or a license? I am in a compliance state and am waiting for my LTC to be issued and would like to dry-fire practice at home until then. THANK YOU for all the amazing content! I have learned so much from your channel.
I know this is old but since nobody replied to you I figured I would. Apart from the laser cartridge you should be able to use a quality airsoft pistol to train with the Mantis or any similar system that uses a rail mount sensor.
I TARGET PRO is $99 amd it has a laser that you can see...u do have to choose your caliber for the laser amd if you want another caliber its 50$ but honestly who dry fires 3 or 4 different calibers so for me it was the best and cheapest and you actually get a target you shoot at and gives you honest feedback amd shows on your phone where you hot the target
No need to use the phone as your target. Use a normal target or light switch and keep the phone next to you. It has an audible start signal. They also make an accessory rail that sticks to the bottom of a magazine to mount the Mantis.
The mounting backward option is nice when you don’t have enough room on your rails to mount like on a subcompact handgun due to the position of the screw on the sensor. Great system though, would recommend for anyone.
I train with a SIRT pistol and the LASRX system - it’s too much fun and has made me a better shooter - would be cool if Honest put out a review on that combo Records all my metrics and the LASRX makes pew pew sounds I use it with my Ipad and a cheap tripod The Mantis seems like a great system but the SIRT provides a different and more dynamic experience - plus you can practice reloads etc
the X10 has the draw tracking, but the X3 which I have does not. It is not just a software change, the X3 vs X10 are different devices. There is a mode that will speak your "score" after each trigger pull.
Always glad when Ron is mention. R.I.P. I hope I can do a TPC course in the future. I got his book but can't find his old DVDs anywhere. It would be really nice if you could do a video in more detail about the draw since an old draw video with Ron is gone for some time. Has the Mantis a big upside over a laser round?
Ok HH, be honest: you did this installment on this system because there’s a ton of snow outside and it’s cold and Iowa windy? Am I right? It’s 60 degrees in Alabama, no offense intended. Thanks for the review. Sounds like a cool piece of kit. I wish I’d seen it two days ago, I just bought G-Sight.
I have one of these and love it... just wish the quick detach worked better on my Beretta LTT (which is a gun you should check out if you get the chance)
I get a lot of false readings, racking the slide and even the trigger click to reset. For striker fire. For a single shot hammer it is better, but you can still get false readings. You can delete them during standard practice, but it is a real pain for set tasks on their training options. I like it and have improved, and you can desensitize it, but this doesn't help much with striker fired pistols.
lol, I'm using the Mantis x3 right now, --stuck on the offhand only all above 88 challenge :(the X3 is only $150, also you dont have the sound option on, after each shot, it will announce your score so you dont have to look at the phone. - as well, if you use it for live fire, you can use bluetooth earbuds in your muffs and your phone will connect to both the mantis and the earbuds. Hostage taker drill with live fire is very fun.
You'll want to install it backwards when you do live fire so the gunk that flies out of the end of the barrel won't collect in the USB port on the X10!
I love your channel!!! Off topic question lol. I see the Iowa Hawkeyes hat. Are you from Iowa? I live in Urbandale by Des Moines. Nice to see another Hawkeye on here!!! Thank you!
Great video. Pro tip: don’t use the phone as the target. You can still shoot at your favorite light switch, and place the phone where you can see it and reach it.
I'd imagine you'd mount it backwards if you wanted to keep it on the same gun and still be able to charge it. Especially since some pistol rails make it hard to remove lights and stuff.
If you mount it backwards it positions the charging port forward. I think the idea is so you don't have to take the device off the gun to charge it. Not sure why that's really a big deal.
