MantisX, sometimes spelled Mantis X, is a high-tech dry-fire training system that allows you to practice firearm drills without the use of live ammunition. All MantisX models work with dry-fire techniques, but some MantisX training systems also provide live-fire functionality. Before diving into the details of the MantisX lineup, here are some reasons why you should consider dry-fire drills and laser trainers.
Safest Way to Practice
All MantisX systems can be used without live ammunition, which is the safest way to train your aim.
Save on Ammo
Ammunition is expensive and periodically hard to come by, but the MantisX Shooting Performance System provides a safe, realistic, and effective approach to dry-fire practice.
Train Anywhere
Get the practice of the range from the comfort of your own home.
There are multiple models of the MantisX that each provides unique features and capabilities. In this guide, we’ll explain what the MantisX is and break down four of their most popular models to help you buy the best dry-fire trainer for your needs.
How Does MantisX Work?
MantisX is an advanced piece of training gear that analyzes your shooting in real time and provides data-driven feedback to improve your aim and shooting technique. Think of it as your own visual trainer that you can take anywhere.
However, these are not laser trainers. The MantisX tracks muzzle movement and other actions before, during, and after your shot to provide real-time data of your shooting habits. What’s more, you can incorporate a laser trainer with a MantisX system through their Mantis Laser Academy Systems or add other accessories like their Blackbeard AR Auto-Resetting Trigger System.
There are three simple steps to use the MantisX: :
- Attach the device to your firearm’s accessory rail
- Install the MantisX smartphone app and pair it to your device using Bluetooth
- Collect your shot data
The MantisX app gathers tons of interesting and useful data that you can analyze and track over time to identify where you struggle and succeed during shooting drills. MantisX Shooting Performance Systems are designed for anyone who wants to improve their shooting habits. Hunters, benchrest competitors, shooting instructors, and military and law enforcement agencies use the MantisX to help them train, and you can too, if you know which model is right for you.
Which MantisX System Should I Buy?
The best MantisX model for you depends on three main factors:
- How you will train (dry fire, live fire, or both)
- What type of weapons you will use (handguns, rifles, shotguns, or crossbows)
- How much data and analysis you want
All of the X Systems are designed to work with your caliber of choice. You just need to ensure the model you select will work with your type of firearm. Don’t worry; we’ll discuss that soon. First, let’s go over the features and specifications that all of the current Mantis X systems share.
What All MantisX Models Offer
The features and details in this section apply to the most popular live- and dry-fire training systems in the MantisX lineup as of 2021 (X2, X3, X10 Elite, and X7.) Once you learn what features all systems offer, then you can dive into the differences to pick out the best MantisX trainer for the money.
All MantisX Shooting Performance Systems:
- Can be used with your own weapon
- If it doesn’t fit your rail, there are MantisX adapters available for compatibility
- Pair to your smartphone via Bluetooth and mobile app
- For Android and iOS
- Have the same lightweight (14g) design
- Provide up to 20 hours of battery life
- Can be used with dry fire
- Offer the following analytics:
- Trace muzzle movement
- Shot timer
- Training modes and drills
- Coaching tips
- Historical tracking
- Groups and messaging
Now that you know the similarities between MantisX devices, it’s time to break down what sets them apart so that you can find the perfect fit for your firearm.
How to Find the Best MantisX System for the Money
Today, we’ll stick to talking about the second-generation and most recent models of MantisX dry-fire trainers:
- Mantis X2
- Mantis X3
- Mantis X10 Elite
- Mantis X7
In the following sections, we’ll discuss key differences between these models and help you find the best dry-fire system for your needs and budget.
Mantis X2
The Mantis X2 is the only model here that is for dry-fire use only, and it is compatible with pistols and rifles. This trainer provides shot-by-shot feedback through features like muzzle trace, trigger control analysis, and shot timer. At around $99 retail, the X2 is the least expensive model in the MantisX lineup.
The Mantis X2 is best for handgun and rifle shooters who only want to practice with dry-fire techniques. Think of the X2 as the “basic” option that provides everything you need for pistol and rifle dry-fire training. While you can’t practice with live rounds, you can perfect your dry-fire shooting technique and watch the practice payoff in a live-fire session.
Mantis X3
The Mantis X3 is the exact same device as the X2 with the addition of live-fire functionality. With more ways to train, the price for the Mantis X3 jumps a bit to around $169 retail.
The Mantis X3 is best for handgun and rifle shooters who want the flexibility to practice with both dry-fire at home and live-fire at the range. While dry-fire training should improve your live-fire habits, the X3 provides a more realistic training experience. The noise of a gunshot and the anticipation of gunfire can affect how you aim, so the X3 is worth the higher cost if you struggle with those two elements.
Mantis X10 Elite
The Mantis X10 Elite provides all the benefits of the X2 and X3 with some serious upgrades. For starters, the X10 Elite works with all weapons: handguns, rifles, shotguns, and crossbows. This system includes a BR7 Barrel Mount Picatinny Rail and Universal Magrail Adapter for compatibility with any firearm.
Besides multi-weapon functioning, the X10 Elite offers advanced analytics like: 
- Recoil analysis (pistol)
- Holster Draw Analysis (pistol only)
- Moving targets (shotgun only)
- Smoothness analytics
- Consistency comparisons
- Multi-target analysis
- Shooting on the move
- Rapid fire
At around $249 retail, the X10 Elite is the most expensive model but is a jack-of-all-trades. The Mantis X10 Elite is best for advanced shooters, competitive marksmen and women, and professionals who want more data on their shooting habits. Analytics like shooting on the move and multi-target analysis will prepare 3-gun competitors for their next match. As for law enforcement and other professionals, every shot counts in the field, and the X10 Elite will help improve your confidence and holster draws for even the most challenging operations.
If you’re a new shooter or are still perfecting the basics, you may not find the extra features useful at first, and it may not be worth paying up for a system that you can’t take full advantage of yet. With that in mind, you want to consider your plans for the future. If you bought the X3 for pistol training and decide to get a shotgun, then you need a new Mantis X system that is compatible with shotguns. Or, you may improve your shooting habits and find yourself wanting to train other areas of your gun game.
Mantis X7
The last system on our list is the Mantis X7, which is designed specifically for use with shotguns. It works with both live- and dry-fire exercises and includes a BR7 Adapter that adds a 1913 Picatinny rail system for compatibility with bull barrel long guns. The X7 retails for around $199 and is the ultimate training gear for shotguns.
Mantis X7 provides most of the same benefits as the X2 and X3, except it is exclusively for shotguns and does not provide courses or trigger control analysis. However, the X7 provides some of the advanced analytics found in the X10 Elite including:
- Smoothness analytics
- Consistency comparisons
- Multi-target analysis
- Moving targets
Mantis X7 Shooting Performance Systems are best for skeet and trap shooters, sport shooters, waterfowl hunters, and anyone who wants to master their shotgun skills. This is the ideal model for shotgun enthusiasts, as it provides all the shotgun-related analytics of the X10 Elite without the same price tag. If you think you’ll eventually want to train with handguns, rifles, or crossbows, then it’s worth paying around $50 extra to upgrade to the X10 Elite instead so that you can train with the MantisX on all of your weapons.
MantisX Marks the Spot
MantisX Shooting Performance Systems will reveal a treasure trove of analytics and information that you can use to identify, train, and improve your shooting habits. Beginners and experts alike will benefit from this training gear, and with enough practice, you can become a more accurate and consistent shooter with any type of firearm.
Here’s a quick wrap-up on the MantisX lineup and which system is best for you:
- Mantis X2 is the best choice if you only want to practice dry-fire techniques with a handgun or rifle
- Mantis X3 is the best choice if you want the flexibility to practice with both dry fire and live fire while using a handgun or rifle
- Mantis X7 is the best choice if you only want to train with a shotgun, and it is extremely useful for competitive clay pigeon shooters looking to perfect their skills
- Mantis X10 Elite is the most comprehensive model and best choice for serious shooters who want to train with multiple weapon types and receive the most detailed feedback on their shooting habits.
We hope that you now understand the differences between the MantisX systems and have some guidance on which model to purchase based on your needs and budget. Check out the chart below for a quick comparison of the MantisX lineup, which even includes models we didn’t cover like the archery-exclusive X8, and when you’re ready to train like a professional, stop by OpticsPlanet’s MantisX training gear page to shop for your own X System today!
