REVIEW: Mantis Laser Academy Training Kit

[@sheaholloway9537]

The best set-up and practice example video. Thank you for going through this program in great detail. Truly appreciated. I was a bit confused about the distance of myself versus the camera. You answered that question, and more quite succinctly. Thank you for taking the time to teach.

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome Shea. And thank you for watching.

[@ReactarooSkidoo]

This is one of the best product reviews I have ever seen. Great job!

[@oasis6444]

Fully agreed! 👍👍

[@rick467]

One of the best reviews I've seen on this training tool. Thank you for this detailed assessment.

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome Ricardo, and thank you for watching and posting.

[@jarka1361]

Great video. I ordered mine a few days ago and your video was by far the most instructive.

[@sdkweber]

Thank you very much. And thanks for watching and posting.

[@richganzel9248]

Thank you for this! Ordered mine today and this was helpful in what I can expect. I also like your suggestion on combining the two technologies.

[@sdkweber]

And thank you for watching and posting. I think you will like this system. I am planning to order the .45 laser from them soon so I train with some of my other pistols too.

[@usbsol]

Merging the x10 tech with the laser academy tech needs to be done 🙂

[@pkla14]

They’re working on it. I own both and got the word from them that it’s in the works

[@Alex-oy6wb]

@@pkla14 did they ever merge the 2?

[@pkla14]

@@Alex-oy6wb unfortunately not as of yet

[@Alex-oy6wb]

@@pkla14 thanks for the update, sir

[@duaneingalls2375]

I have and use the two together all the time I installed the mantis X app on a tablet and the laser on the phone. The laser app is only available for phones not tablets that would be a great upgrade as you could see the hits while shooting

[@funwithrpis3281]

Great. Looks like the Ocats system I used to use for dry fire in a lot of ways, only on a phone. I ended up dumping that software because support was crap and moved on to Lasr. I don't see myself buying this now that I own Lasr but I can see why people would like it. I do like the Mantis x10 how ever.

[@sdkweber]

Thanks for watching! I use the X10 also. We have few videos on it if you are interested. Here is a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/qae0m4KVrNGWfK8 We have also used it to test recoil management with various muzzle devices. Have you used that feature?

[@dorisyunda3240]

Thanks for posting! Very very helpful review. I am using my laser tomorrow!

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome. Thank you for watching and posting

[@sultanaljuhani1571]

many many thanks sir. Where I live ammo is very expensive and your review is very helpful. Appreciate it. God bless you and your family

[@sdkweber]

You are most welcome. Thank you for watching and posting.

[@bobagail]

Thank you. This was excellent. Now I'm going to have to go look for a good deal on buying a mantis laser Academy kit

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome. Good luck on finding a good deal!

[@justinnehring7339]

Absolutely love your videos on the Mantis products. Anything on the Mantis Blackbeard yet?

[@RSI24]

Nice review...I use this in both my hammer fired HKs so I don't have to rack each time..I either do DA or SA...also works well with my Micro 9 which also has a hammer but is SAO

[@sdkweber]

I agree this works better with a hammer fired pistol. It can still be used with striker fired but you need to break your grip after each shot.

[@hdbtc]

Just bought the kit this weekend at a gun show. Tried it out tonight and shows great potential. Your video is a great tutorial as the kit itself is lacking any kind of "How To guide". Thanks!

[@sdkweber]

Good for you! I hope you enjoy it and can get some good practice without expending any real ammo. Thanks for watching.

[@bobdiekema5454]

This video is awesome. Thank you for sharing your insight.

[@sdkweber]

Thank you Bob. And thanks for watching and posting.

[@TheMidLifeCrisis817]

Great review! Went and picked one up today.

[@sdkweber]

Thank you Clint. I am planning to buy the laser for my .45 acp also.

[@toptiertraining6819]

Completely possible to do now. Use an IPAD to sync to one and your phone to sync to the other. However it would still be cool to have it combined on one app.

[@sdkweber]

Yes. I was hoping to have everything in one package now though. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@dans9228]

Great video. You explained everything very clearly. Thank you.

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome Dan S, and thank you for watching and posting. Take care.

[@jonathanpadon2792]

Nice demo sir!, wondering if a 2nd (or 3rd) target with phone could work. Wonder if a Hogan’s alley could be done with this?

[@sdkweber]

Thanks for watching.You can use as many targets as you like as long as they can fit into the frame of the camera and are detected by the Mantis app. i have been able to use 2 targets.

[@larrycassidy1702]

Good job very informative. Thanks

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome Larry, and thank you for watching.

[@anarchist_parable]

I got my yesterday and looove it. I use it with my MantisX10 sometimes to get more feedback. Improving my mechanics in between range visits. Really dig it

[@sdkweber]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching and taking the time to post. I appreciate it.

[@JD-tn5lz]

If laser training improves your mechanics, they must be world-record BAD

[@CaptnHampton22]

I calibrate the laser offset in "settings" every time i change distances from where I'm shooting. I love my academy - i'm curious if other people calibrate as often as i do? I don't mind doing it. I have a Holosun red dot that is dead on target - and when i see the kit laser hit the paper, kit's laser definitely is not perfectly aligned to where my red dot is aiming so i calibrate. When the app adds the offset - it works great.

[@sdkweber]

Hello CaptnHampton22, I calibrate once per session and again if I notice something seems off. Here's a tip to consider, calibrate at your zero distance (using a handgun that might be 15 yards which is do-able down a long hallway). Then as you are shooting closer, you will need to adjust for the offset just as you would with live-fire.

[@CaptnHampton22]

@@sdkweber great tip thanks 👍

[@sdkweber]

@@CaptnHampton22 You are welcome. And thanks for watching and posting.

[@jackomalley3687]

​@@sdkweberI've been trying to do the offset but I must be doing something wrong I put the Red Cross here in the center then click apply and it still shoots about 2 inches high I don't know how to use the calibration

[@sdkweber]

@@jackomalley3687 You are not going to see the red dot (laser) move on the target. What it is doing is calculating your offset and adjusting your digital shots within the app "as if" you had zeroed the gun at that distance. It seems to work fine when you do that. I hope this helps you.

[@erwingrabler697]

Hello, I own a S&W 686 Competitor - Performance Center. So I would need 6 laser rounds to work with the Mantis System? I‘m also interested in the Mantis X10 but not sure how it could be fastened on it so it can be used in outdoor range with ammo? Thanks for the great description in the video

[@sdkweber]

Hello Erwin, For your application in a wheel gun you would need 6 of the laser rounds. That makes it pretty expensive. For the X10 Elite that I also use (I like the X10 better) you would need their revolver adapter but that works only in dry fire mode. mantisx.com/products/br4-bore-insert-picatinny-rail-adapter-set Overall, use for a revolver is much more difficult. I have a Model 29 but do not try to use it with the Mantis.

[@adamrenissance3322]

If your Mantis X10 is connected via bluetooth to one phone or pad and the Laser academy is on another phone or pad you can use them together.

[@sdkweber]

Yes, that is correct. I am just hoping Mantis creates an app that can do all this at once. It would be very convenient. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@SteveHooks-lh5bj]

That was really helpful thank you

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@318android3]

Fantastic overview! Do you feel like the 8x11 and portable mini targets are too small? I know other programs have much larger ones but if you feel the size of mantis suffices I will take your word

[@sdkweber]

Hello 318android. The Mantis Laser Academy is designed to be used indoors and at close range. As such, I have found the 8 1/2" x 11" targets fine. Set up across a room (5 yards away) they will provide a good challenge. In fact, I frequently use other 8 1/2 x 11" targets at outdoor ranges (live fire) and even at 15 yards they are good. I have not used the smaller 3x5 targets as they are quite small. You can also use your own large targets as long as the system recognizes where the bullseye is to score your shots. These will work for the Mantis Laser Academy save for a few drills they have provided that require specific targets. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@sharko108]

Cool review ! :) Would you say that is the same thing that the Itarget? I don't really know which one to choose or take Mantis X3.. thanks for the help haha

[@sdkweber]

Thanks for watching. I have not used the Itarget so I cannot compare. I like the Mantis X10 a lot, just used it yesterday for its recoil meter while testing a few muzzle brakes.

[@NoBite2]

VERY well done review? I think I saw this, but want to be sure --- In any of the games, let's say you were drawing from concealment, would the system show you time from the GO or BEEP to first shot? In this manner you would be evaluating you accuracy and your time to draw and put a shot on target. Second, it seemed in the video that there was a delay between when the sound of the shot occurred and the image of the shot impacting the target. Was that more of a function of the video than how it appeared to you when you were actually running the drill? Thank you!!

[@sdkweber]

Hello John, the Mantis Laser Training Academy does not track your time but the Mantis X10 and app certainly does. For this application, the X10 would be far better. BTW, I learned not to actually holster the pistol with the X10 mounted on the picatinny rail. It ended up breaking the plastic on the Mantis X10. So now my practice is sort of simulated holster draw. Thanks for watching.

[@NoBite2]

@@sdkweber Thank you!

[@sdkweber]

@@NoBite2 You are welcome John.

[@r0bd]

This was very informative. I was wondering, how accurate would you say it is in: 1. Recognizing the location of where the LED was illuminated on the target in the real world and translating that to the target in the app. 2. Closely matching what you believe is the actual accuracy of the firearm/sights from actual projectiles.

[@sdkweber]

Hello and thank you for watching. Good questions. The app seems very good at recognizing the hit location of the laser on the target and registering it to the image of the target on the screen. It does that using the odd looking registration graphics in the corners. Second, there is some bullet drop that is supposed to be applied by the app but I am not certain of that. It needs to be used indoors so the ability to shoot a long distance and see drop is difficult. At close range (5-10 yards) your bullet will effectively shoot flat and so will the laser academy. In addition, the app assumes you are using highly accurate ammo and you won't get any flyers. That is good for training though as you will see how you are doing with no variability in your ammo. I hope this helps.

[@r0bd]

@@sdkweber very helpful. Thank you!

[@sdkweber]

@@r0bd You are welcome

[@GroverRover]

Interesting voice, it's like John Malkovich and Christopher Walken had a baby, and that baby likes guns. Also, great review!

[@sdkweber]

That's funny. Thanks for watching!

[@minkya1010]

Where are those sound effects of the ejected shells coming from?

[@sdkweber]

The app makes the sounds itself. I believe it can be turned off, but I think its kind of fun.

[@skersch65]

Great job

[@sdkweber]

Thank you Stan, and thanks for watching also.

[@dunnoyolo2238]

Can you use the Mantis X2 with the the Academy Targets ???

[@sdkweber]

Yes. In fact you can use the Mantis X10 with no target at all, just a spot on the wall can be your target.

[@lharris1380]

I appreciate your video.

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@1Mong0]

It would be good to know if the software can connect multiple phones viewing different targets in one active session.

[@sdkweber]

While I have not tried it, I am sure you could run the app simultaneously on more than one device. Each device could "watch" a different target and allow you to space out the targets quite a bit. The app simply "watches" for the laser to hit the target. It is not sync'd or connected to the firearm like the Mantis X10 is. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching and posting Donald.

[@carolynstaples2618]

Sounds like a great product, no idea on the price,

[@sdkweber]

It is a good product. Here is a link to their website for the full kit which runs about $150 mantisx.com/collections/laser-academy/products/laser-academy-training-kit-standard Thank you for watching.

[@stevenz933]

My SIG P365 has a green laser sight. Will that green laser interfere with scoring from the red cartridge laser? Just wondering if the system can distinguish between my gun's laser sight and the laser academy device. Great video by the way! Very informative.

[@sdkweber]

That is a very good question. I would test it out and let you know but I do not think I have a green laser of any sort. This would likely be a good question for Mantis support. They are very fast and helpful. [e-mail] If you contact them, please post their response if you don't mind. Thank you for watching and posting!

[@stevenz933]

@@sdkweber Support @ Mantis 10:31 AM (0 minutes ago) Hi Steve, It will read the Green laser as shot/tracing and leave green lines on the scoring system. l recommend you do not use the green laser sight while using the Laser Academy training to create less confusion when trying to read your score. Best, Timothy

[@sdkweber]

@@stevenz933 Thanks for posting this Steven. It is good to know.

[@Alex-oy6wb]

@@sdkweber can you use a red laser sight instead of the pink rhino that comes with mantis laser academy?

[@sdkweber]

@@Alex-oy6wb I don't think that will work very well. The bore sighter will produce a constant beam and the software/app will probably either ignore it or think you are shooting a machine gun! The app is looking for a short flash of laser light.

[@stevenphelps1072]

It doesn't have gun shot sounds with the brass falling on the ground sounds? Thst sucks I saw a different product that had that seems like it would be more fun that way.

[@sdkweber]

It has those sound effects, it just can't be heard real well on the video. It is kind of a nice touch but the user can turn it off if they wish. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@DrAlexVasquezICHNFM]

Excellent

[@sdkweber]

Thank you very much.

[@saldana787]

Have you tried with a blow back gun? Something like the cool fire system? I wonder if it would be compatible so that it could do at least somewhat a bit of recoil

[@sdkweber]

I have not. I have used the CO2 simulated pistols as other indoor range simulators but have not tried these with the Mantis. Thanks for watching and posting this idea.

[@marcrussell4382]

Is this a good system for a 38 - 357 Can I do multiple shots. I've got a thing for "double taps". I have a Glock without tails, is that a problem? Thanks

[@sdkweber]

The Mantis laser academy will record shots as fast as I can pull the trigger. I tested it by quickly pressing the laser button by hand and it did a good job. If one of your guns is a revolver, you would need at least two of the laser cartridges though. Alternatively, a double action pistol will allow you to do double taps. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@dannyh7316]

Are you racking your slide every time you pull the trigger or are you using snap caps?

[@sdkweber]

The laser cartridge is effectively a snap cap and since I am using hammer fired pistols, I am simply cocking the gun and firing. For striker fired, just rack it. The laser cartridge will not eject. You use the wooden dowel that comes with the kit to knock out the laser cartridge when finished. Thank you for watching and posting. I hope this info helps you.

[@jackomalley3687]

I could not calubrate the offset

[@reinaldoperez1725]

I am interested on this laser kit. Given the size of the targets that can be printed or ordered, what is the realistic distance to shoot at the targets?

[@sdkweber]

This is designed for use indoors and really will not work outside. I have used it across pretty lengthy distances in my house but still maybe 12 yards at most. The 8.5"x11" targets get pretty small looking at that distance. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@reinaldoperez1725]

@@sdkweber Agree, I was wondering if the company had a suggested distance shooter to target, like you said, the targets are small so difficult to see and as such difficult to shoot accurately when the sights cover a good chunk of the target.

[@sdkweber]

@@reinaldoperez1725 I have not seen any notes or suggestions from Mantis directly. I will not that a lot of their challenges (in the app) tell you to use 5-7 yard target placement. Kind of the standard personal defense distance (7 yards).

[@martinhalvey5912]

How do you reset the trigger on a glockenspiel cycling the slide?

[@sdkweber]

You will need to rack the slide to reset the trigger on any of these types of guns. That is of course a downside but still do-able. Thanks for watching.

[@tedfanelli6815]

Awesome! Really good honest review. Covered all bases. This question may already have been asked but if I own several different pistols can I purchase the kit for my 9mm and using a separately purchased laser cartridge for my .38 use both guns on the app?

[@sdkweber]

I am almost certain it would be OK to do this even during the same shooting session. During setup we never choose what gun we are using so having more than one gun at hand should be just fine. I am getting the .45 cartridge and will test with that and the 9mm but do not expect any problems at all. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@dodgeram1515]

@@sdkweber Thanks for your reply. The kit works perfectly as you described. The app does have a little difficulty with a well light room but close the shades and it is good. Bought a second unit as a gift and the app picks up the second pistol with no questions asked. Probably would not have purchased if your review hadn't turned me on to this product. Already paid for itself twice over with several trips to the range avoided. Again, awesome indepth review. Hope other manufactures give you their attention in the future.

[@sdkweber]

@@dodgeram1515 I am happy to hear that. Sounds like you have it figured out already and that is great. Take care and thanks for taking the time to post.

[@NAKMUAYACADEMY]

Is mantis better or laser ammo for a complete beginner? I can only train at home using replica as no shooting range or no possibility of a real gun ? Apreciate any advice

[@sdkweber]

I would definitely go with the Mantis X10. The app provides good feedback, study it and the suggestions provided after shooting. Best of luck to you and enjoy.

[@NAKMUAYACADEMY]

@@sdkweber thank you for reply and suggestions

[@sdkweber]

@@NAKMUAYACADEMY You are welcome Coach

[@docmark2350]

Do you think not having the recoil will impact the quality of training?

[@sdkweber]

It will certainly have some effect. Especially for those who are more sensitive to recoil. Still, practicing good trigger squeeze and becoming more familiar with your gun is always an advantage. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@luannebowling5682]

Can you use this training kit with a 9mm rim fire gun.

[@sdkweber]

It will need to be a center fire to activate the 9mm laser cartridge. I am not familiar with any 9mm rimfire though. Are you sure yours is a rimfire? Or perhaps you are thinking about hammer vs. striker fired?

[@dwhoppy]

Will this also help you align the sights?

[@sdkweber]

If you mean like a laser bore sighter? I suppose it would. Just be sure to have the gun in a secure position while making adjustments to the sights in reference to the laser. Thanks for watching.

[@Alex-oy6wb]

@@sdkweber that is cool that it could be used as bore sighter? Have you tried it?

[@sdkweber]

@@Alex-oy6wb Not with the Mantis. I have a separate and specific laser bore sighter and since getting the Mantis have not had the need to bore sight any of my guns. The only problem I see with using it as a bore sighting tool is the laser will only illuminate when struck by the firing pin. It is a blink or a flash and not a constant beam like a dedicated unit.

[@howarddehart8226]

Can't get mine to work

[@sdkweber]

Well that's no fun. I am not sure what is going wrong, but here are some general ideas. First make sure you are using the most current version of their software on your smartphone. I am using a Samsung (Android) and used it just the other day... still works great for me. Second, make sure the room is not terribly bright. This used to be more of a problem a few months ago but less so now. Third, position the smart phone so it can view the entire target. It has to be steady so use the tripod and attachment that came with the kit. I hope this helps.

[@JD-tn5lz]

I received mine and realized within two days the Laser Academy was a complete ripoff. Their X10 is useful, their Blackbeard is sort of useful (when the stars align and the planets are just so) in SOME ARs. You can get better, less gadgety systems for less. Frankly, laser training is idiotic anyway and there are good reasons reputable law enforcement agencies and the military don't use them. Yes, I did try to return it and all I got was the runaround from Mantis. This Vid is certainly paid for...prove me wrong.

[@sdkweber]

How is it a ripoff? Can you articulate that? One can see exactly what it does on this video and many other videos describing the Mantis Laser Academy It does exactly what it is supposed to do. I do not see it as a ripoff at all.

[@jaymeez]

Too much jaw jacking. Quit being so long winded. Tried watching this at 2x speed and still unbearable

[@RSI24]

Ungrateful..smh

[@igotyoubeat]

My problem with these systems is that your developing bad muscle memory by racking your slide after each shot. In a self defense scenario you need to get rounds off and not manually rack your slide. I like the lasers but not the slide racking action …

[@sdkweber]

You raise a very good point IGB. We all know "we respond as we have trained" especially under stress. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@dryfireonline]

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[@stephenherzig8775]

Excellent review, thank you very much😊

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching!