PMCI - September 2021

tech savvy skills in learning the “ins and outs” of the program. Jim’s
Law Enforcement and PMC training experience aptly helped put the
updated system into perspective of tactical application.
Congruent with my experience noted in our original PMCI
review of the early Mantis system, Bernei and Jim seemed shocked
at their mid-80’s scores received during their first rounds of fire.
Despite excellent hits on target, their “by the numbers
mechanics” waivered a bit during the relaxed training session…
at first. Call it bruised ego or simply a wake-up call, but after the
initial few rounds of shooting five or more shots during their test
strings for fire, it was GAME ON. As the faces of determination and
focus showed on each shooter, the scores climbed into the upper
90s where they belonged. Each instructor watched the shooter on
deck as they took turns and offered helpful outside critique without
ego or pride getting in the way.
Taking the data provided as well as drawing from each other’s
knowledge as seasoned instructors, we were able to clearly see
how great a job the Mantis X10 Elite did in illustrating minor issues
throughout the session. Seeing this firsthand helped everyone
start formulation ideas how they could use the program in their
classes as well as one on one private instruction sessions. The
illustrative value of the program to reinforce what the instructor
offers to a student by providing hard data and visual confirmation
of what takes place during shooting can quickly build the trust and
confidence needed for successful improvement.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Bottom Line: This device does NOT take the place of training under
the supervision of a certified firearms trainer. Through professional
training, the most important aspect of training, that being SAFETY
is highly instilled into students and will develop solid guidelines in
which to train. What this device DOES develop is helping shooters
iron out recognized deficiencies in the basic fundamentals of
marksmanship. This allows shooters to have a solid foundation in
which to continue to build upon when learning new skillsets with
qualified trainers in the future. The system can also help shooters
continue using the proper terminology through its constructive
feedback.
Speed, consistency and accuracy can and will be developed
if the Mantis X10 is diligently used both on and off the range. For
the rifle and pistol app there is a basic marksmanship program that
encourages you to try the different drills as well as to work daily
with a basic open training program. The shotgun app is aimed more
at shooting sporting clays than it considers any tactical training
aspects. It measures the shotgun swing and tracks your progress
without the ammo, range, or clay pigeons required. The device
can also evaluate performance on a live-fire range as well. (A
tactical shotgun version would be a great addition to the Defensive
Shotgun course my team teaches via the Swanson Training Group.)
Overall, I do NOT consider myself a “tech guy” but I did find
the individual apps easy to install and use. Thankfully, the tutorials
were simple and quick to understand. Sometimes in programs
such as this, I often find a gap between shooter and tech folks
when it comes to explanations and program layout. This was never
the case with the Manis system. Throughout my years using the
original and now updated system, it has clearly been developed by
shooters who understand how to communicate with other shooters
of various levels of training.
The Mantis X Elite: Shooting Performance System retails
for US$249.99 with the X2 entry level Dry Practice Only version
starting at US$99, the LIVE FIRE option added on the X3 for US$169,
and the shotgun exclusive version retailing for US$199. The Elite
version has already proved itself to be well worth the difference in
price from the lower tier models due to the wider range of options
available to use as you grow as a shooter. The fact this device
can even be used with SIRT guns from NextLevel Training ( www.
nextleveltraining.com ) makes this device even more valuable.
By using the laser emitting training devices shaped and
weighted to feel like real Glock, M&P and SIG pistols, the safety
aspect is greatly enhanced. (Use code: STG2020 to save $$$ with
your SIRT purchase) Additionally, by using a dedicated training gun
prevents undue wear and tear on your live fire guns thus possibly
preventing future maintenance issues.
Finally, consider this, by being able to dry practice safety, think
about the money saved over the long run. With today’s ammo
prices, if you simulate shooting 250 trigger presses constructive
data received, you will have immediately paid for the system from
saving what you would have spent in live fire training. That is less
than a day’s training at the range for a virtual limitless supply of
training still on hand. When you do get onto the range for live
fire, it will require less ammunition to obtain training goals due
to only needing to adapt recoil mitigation to what you have
already practiced hundreds of dry practice shots off the range in
preparation.
This fact alone would be worth trying it out but fortunately the
Mantis X Elite offers a wealth of other benefits that help
make this one of our PMCI Top Picks. For more about
the Mantis X series of training systems, visit www.
mantisx.com to find the one that best suits your needs.
Until our next issue, Train Hard and Continue the Fight!
TRAINING: MANTIS X10 ELITE
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