by Michael A. Black
The MantisX Firearms Training System blends the latest technology with tried and true shooting techniques.
Mastering basic shooting techniques and getting proper feedback are essential steps to improving one’s marksmanship ability. Shooting is a perishable skill that not only requires constant practice, but also an understanding that shooting involves more than merely pulling a gun’s trigger. Thus, proper coaching of a new or an experienced shooter can make a big difference in improving one’s accuracy.
Mantis Tech (www.mantisx.com), a small but burgeoning company in Oswego, IL, has come up with a new device that gives instant and unbiased feedback and instruction to a shooter by virtue of their new MantisX Firearms Training System device. The company has created a firearms training product that will help all shooters, regardless of their degree of proficiency, improve their techniques and precision.
The MantisX sensor device attaches easily to the trigger guard and is held in place with a set-screw. The sensor transmits data via Bluetooth to your smart phone or tablet regarding your shooting technique.
I first came across Mantis Tech (www.mantisx.com) at the 2017 SHOT Show at their booth in Las Vegas for Media Day at the Range. I was immediately impressed with their unique blend of combining the basic mechanics of shooting (sight alignment, grip, trigger pull, etc.) with the latest technological developments.
The MantisX is a unique sensor device that attaches to the trigger guard of your firearm, analyzes every shot, and sends immediate, real-time data to your smart phone, tablet, or computer. The device analyzes your movement patterns throughout the shooting process before, during, and after the shot, tracking the movement of the firearm through the entire process. The intention is not to eliminate human coaching, but rather to enhance it. Range instructors vary in quality and can sometimes be a bit intimidating to a new shooter and offer contradictory or even erroneous coaching advice. The MantisX Firearms Training System adds a new and invaluable diagnostic tool to firearms instruction in that it provides specific diagnostics of the shooter’s minute handling of the weapon in ways that the instructor might not be able to see immediately.
The MantisX offers quick and accurate coaching advice that is immediately transmitted to your smart phone or tablet.
The device fits on virtually any pistol or rifle. It’s simply a matter of slipping the sensor onto the rails of the gun, and securing it in place with the set-screw. (A special adapter that fits on the magazine is available for firearms that do not have rails.) The sensor is turned on with the press of a button, and then takes a few seconds to calibrate after connecting with the special app on your tablet, smart phone, or computer. A green light indicates that the device is on and connected to your device. If the MantisX is on, but not connected, a flashing LED will be noticeable. This LED also provides other status indicators, such as a low battery (red), charging mode (orange), and fully charged (green). After the initial calibration is complete, the “start” button is pressed and the sensor is ready to record and analyze each shot and immediately forward the data to your smart phone or tablet. As the shooter fires at the target, the MantisX captures the muzzle movement prior to and at trigger break and sends real-time feedback via Bluetooth to a mobile app that provides analysis and coaching while simultaneously tracking the shooter’s performance. It has two settings, one of which is geared more toward competitive shooting. The MantisX can be used with live fire, dry fire, air-soft, and simulation firearms and provides precise data as to where the shooter hits the target and what he or she did immediately prior to shooting. The MantisX app is compatible with iOS and Androids smart phones and tablets. The app can be downloaded for free, and free updates are available every 4 to 8 weeks. Periodic e-mails are sent out as advisements of these new updates. MantisX also works at any distance, and no special target is required.
The data from each shot is immediately transmitted to a smart phone or tablet.
Mantis representative Austin Allgaier gave a warm welcome to us at Mantis headquarters for a field test of the product. Accompanying me were Lieutenants Joe Barnes and Dave Case, both of the Chicago Police Department. After a brief introduction on how the MantisX works, Austin took us to their range where we took turns firing a specially equipped Sig Sauer 226. The pistol was calibrated to send the shot-by-shot data to Austin’s tablet and smart phone regarding the dominant firing hand, the type of firearm, and trigger-finger placement of each firing. Lt. Barnes went first and got an 85.2% on his first try. Each session was divided into 10 shots to provide a good indication of the shooter’s repeated errors and overall shooting trend.
Lt. Dave Case tries some shooting with the MantisX Firearms Training System.
Austin then showed us the diagnostic analysis displayed on his smart phone. The placement of each round in relation to the bullseye was evident, as were the multicolored trajectories that each round had taken. It was like seeing an EKG of your shooting. Joe then did a subsequent firing session, based upon the data provided by the MantisX, and elevated his score to 96%.
Lt. Case went next, recording a respectable 87.2% on his initial attempt and 95.5% on his subsequent shooting session. Did I mention that both of these guys are highly decorated police officers who were both on the Chicago PD SWAT team at one time?
Lieutenants Joe Barnes and Dave Case get feedback on their shooting techniques provided by the MantisX sensor device displayed on Austin Allgaier ‘s tablet.
I didn’t expect that there would be much room for improvement in their shooting techniques, so I went next. Having been retired from police work for a few years, I fired a rather average score of 74.5% on my first try. After looking at the analysis of the MantisX sensor, Austin advised me that the data showed I was pulling a little to the left as I squeezed the trigger. I was able to correct this on my second series of shots and elevated my score to 86.0%, which was a significant improvement in only a matter of minutes.
The MantisX device is currently being used by both police agencies and instructors of Concealed Carry classes. Austin mentioned that in one of his recent participations in the range session of a Concealed Carry class he was particularly amazed at how well a first time female shooter did after only a 20-minute firing session using the MantisX device.
Chicago PD Lt. Joe Barnes uses the MantisX Firearms Training System to get immediate feedback on his shooting technique.
The MantisX Firearms Training System bundle comes in a small (5¾ x 4 inch) black plastic box, which includes one rail mount MantisX sensor, a free smart phone app, a charging cable, and a one-year warranty. Most of all, it’s very affordable. The MantisX is priced at only $150, and as previously stated, the updates to the app are free.
Barnes views the transmitted data from his shooting session on Austin Alligaier’s smart phone.
When I pressed Austin for a mission statement of Mantis he said that the company’s goal was to help everyone, including law enforcement, military personnel, and law-abiding citizens, to improve their shooting so they may better protect society. The company did exhaustive research with firearms experts in order to collect and perfect this comprehensive firearms training program. As a former range officer in charge of firearms training on the police department, I found this device to be an invaluable tool in offering instantaneous and proper diagnostic analysis of your shooting as well as cogent advice on improving your skills. The MantisX can be a tremendous training asset to all shooters, be they law enforcement, military, citizens with concealed carry permits, or competitive shooters.
About the author
Michael A. Black is a retired cop and the author of 28 books, and over 100 short stories and articles. He has a BA in English, an MFA in Fiction Writing, and writes the Executioner series as Don Pendleton (Uncut Terror, Missile Intercept, and Fatal Prescription). Black’s latest novel is Blood Trails, due out July 28.
