Hate when this happens, range day cut short.

[FCG LLC]

I was pretty pumped to get to the range, had all my gear and stuff, got set up, had all my electronic tools as well.

Fired one shot at 45 feet, smack dab in the middle of the target. I looked at the RO, he looked at me, grinned and said - "you might as well pack up now, it's NEVER gonna get better than that!".

I reluctantly agreed.

 

[Phauxtoe]

coulda been a fluke!
you gotta put 10 rounds down range in one jagged hole, then you are good!

 

[WileyX585]

Nice shot! Next time you go, you have to put two rounds thru the same hole before you can leave, and so on.

 

[alistair]

Sweet

 

[Cooolone]

I'd feel cheated because I really like poking those expensive holes in paper! Maybe next time aim 2" left, if you're bagging it, at least you can fudge how good you are and keep people guessing... Hahahaha

Nice shot tho...

 

[FCG LLC]

I'm guessing all you guys missed the powder burns...

Did you see the "99.3" on the iPad screen? That was the 3rd best score I ever got on Mantis.

 

[FCG LLC]

coulda been a fluke!
you gotta put 10 rounds down range in one jagged hole, then you are good!

Heh,
The post it note on the target is what I usually shoot at 45ft. I think there are at least a dozen people on this forum that have seen me shoot that can attest to how well I lie (notice the powder marks!!!!).

I was testing a piece of hardware/software (full disclosure, I am a reseller for them as well) and wanted to not only capture any unlikely misses, but to see where those missed landed.

As mentioned, I really did pack up my crap after this one shot. I had a shooter coming in 15 min after anyways.

 

[NYGuns]

lol nice!!! Good shot!

 

[togmaster]

It was about .30" right of center. Keep practicing until you can do better.

 

[Phauxtoe]

I thought the Powder burns were just Bad Coloring!

 

[Cleck]

What's the software? Can you share any details?

 

[FCG LLC]

What's the software? Can you share any details?

Full disclosure before I do:

1. It's pretty awesome if you are already an intermediate to good shot.
2. I re-sell the product, because I have found utility in it, but my opinion is not changed because of that. I have no financial interest in the company.
3. We became informal beta testers, because we were intrigued with the product, and really wanted to help the manufacturer make it better.

I am writing up a review with pictures, to post on my own site, will cross link/post here. I expect this to be done in about a week.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MantisX

It is a combination of hardware and software, the manufacturer is Mantis - MantisX - High-tech firearms training device

• There is a Bluetooth hardware device that attaches to your railed gun (pistol, airsoft anything, rifle, shotgun). It has some sort of gyroscope in it that detects motion. It's rechargeable battery is powered by a USB micro B connector.
• The app it uses is free to download, and is available for both Android and IOS devices. I run this on my LG tablet, Samsung phones, and a couple of iPads
  
• You can configure the device for dry fire, left hand/right hand shooters, airsoft / CO2 activity or regular rim/centerfire shooting.
• You can store different profiles for different guns on your Android / IOS device.
  
• The device does NOT know where you are pointing, it can only indicate where your shot breaks in relation to where the muzzle was 150-300ms prior, and ~ 100ms AFTER the shot. So pre-shot is color coded in green, during the shot yellow, and recoil/post shot in red.
  
• The device is very precise, and gives a numerical rating (out of 100) for how little your sights are disturbed in those windows of time before during and after the shot. It is also represented graphically.
  
• The manufacturer also provides some cues as to when scores are less than optimal. I've told them those cues (ie - "heeling") are not always correct.
• It takes about 6 hrs to fully charge from a 2A USB power supply, will run for about 8+ hrs on a single charge, for me it has run for 3-4 range sessions.
• It will automatically power down after a set time (10min) of inactivity.
• The first time you connect to your Bluetooth enabled device, you MUST place the system (attached to your firearm) on a non moving surface for it to properly calibrate. I tried putting it on my trusty rust-bucket of a car recently, it did not like that, and did not calibrate.
• The only tool you need to attach the thing to your railed gun is a DIME, or in a pinch a penny.
• The Mantis folks are awesome with communications. They also push out new software releases MAYBE every 2 months or better.
• Unlike a shot timer, it will NEVER record what is happening on another gun six feet or six inches away.
  
• I have a SIG P226 DAO - GREAT COMBO, as I don't have to rack the slide to reset the trigger in dry fire mode.
  
• The system retails for $150 + shipping directly from the manufacturer, from their website. We do have the ability to deliver at a slightly competitive price, but we cannot publicly disclose, due to MAP (minimum advertised pricing) agreements. I assume folks here understand this, and know how to contact me in interested.
• If anyone is interested, I am (very coincidentally) at Coyne Park in Yonkers tomorrow (I am usually there on a Friday) with my setup, from about 12noon to 3pm if you want to play with it.

There are a lot of gotchas with the system.

• If you are somewhat challenged like I am, and forget to take it off DRY FIRE mode, when you go to the range to use the thing...NOTHING HAPPENS.
• Likewise, if set to live fire mode and used for dry fire practice, nothing happens.
  
• Your friends want to borrow it, then are reluctant to return it. This happened to me twice. One guy refused to return mine until I ordered him one.
  
• When the app is running, none of my devices go to sleep. As a result I avoid using it on my phone to avoid draining my battery.
  
• Currently only one Mantis device can talk to one IOS or Android device. In a class we recently ran I wanted to have four devices reporting to my tablet but that is currently not possible.
• The screw used to attach the Mantis to your gun...if you lose that screw, you have to find a similar screw. It is a very common type (maybe 10/32, I am not near my work computer or a device)
• If you don't know how to read the results properly, you will think it is garbage.
• The older release seemed to be slicker on IOS versus Android. A new release was kicked out 1-2 weeks ago, they are at parity.
  
• My wife thinks I am truly obsessed. I lock myself in my office with a real gun, and I dry fire away for at least 20 min each session, 2-3 times a day.
• The gun you use must have a rail.
• You must have one of the above mentioned devices (IOS or Android) to use the product. I've asked on the possibility of running on classic apps, they say the interest is not there. I know a couple of ranges that use some REALLY COOL STUFF that is PC or MAC based, but not app based.

When I've had a moment to flesh everything out in a logical manner I will write a proper review. This is one of a few electronic tools we use in training and instruction.

Andrew.

 

[Mosinitis]

This is why we look at groups, individual shots don't tell anything.

 

[FCG LLC]

This is why we look at groups, individual shots don't tell anything.

I completely agree that we should look at groups. I disagree that individual shots don't tell us anything.

It's hard to find that proper distance between hitting the target, not getting powder burns, and not having the gases from the gun shred the target. If I hold the target beyond 4-5 feet I usually miss. Anything closer - too many powder burns! And sometimes the target gets ripped.

 

[Podmonkey]

I hate when I get the car all packed up for the range only to realize I forgot something critical, like the ammo. Usually after I'm 10 miles down the road.

 

[FCG LLC]

I hate when I get the car all packed up for the range only to realize I forgot something critical, like the ammo. Usually after I'm 10 miles down the road.

I'm still too embarrassed about my big screw up to post anywhere.

 

[squib]

The shot only scored 99.3 You left some accuracy on the table
I suggest more load development and re zero firearm in the same compass direction of target range (eliminate Coriolis effect)

 

[Celt]

Heh,
The post it note on the target is what I usually shoot at 45ft. I think there are at least a dozen people on this forum that have seen me shoot that can attest to how well I lie (notice the powder .

I can vouch for that as ive shot with Drew before.

 

[MilesTeg]

I had that happen to me once with a rifle instead. 300 yds cold bore shot.


I agree groups count but it's always cool when that happens. In all fairness I had been shooting that rifle a ton that summer and had a ton cold bore data. Also I probably had 500 rounds through it that summer do my muscle memory was up to par.

I agree with everyone else groups count and I did well that day not great.

 

[FCG LLC]

@MilesTeg,

Irons, glass or lasers? Any which way, that is a great shot.

 

[MilesTeg]

Glass mid range quality. I just wish I could shoot a pistol as well as I can a rifle. That's been the goal for a few years.

 

[squib]

Glass mid range quality. I just wish I could shoot a pistol as well as I can a rifle. That's been the goal for a few years.

Damn bro! 300yds is far for a pistol.

 

[MilesTeg]

I said as well as not as far as.

 

[alistair]

Andrew - I;m thinking about buying one of the Mantisx. Do you still use and di you still recommend?

Anyone else use the Mantisx?

 

[Justincase]

Holy zombie thread, lol.

Didn't know you could use the Mantis X with live ammo. Just thought it was a dry fire thing. Amazing the electronics can deal with that.

 

[Gonzobird]

Guess you should start taking part in the monthly target challenges then!

NYGF Challenge - November 2018

 

[Acer-m14]

Guess you should start taking part in the monthly target challenges then!

NYGF Challenge - November 2018

no moving targets .. i flinch if not LOL ..

i have a old moss 152 22lr .. i grew up on .. 7 shot mag .. blasting cans off fence post and in the air ..
shootin chucks on the run ..

wish i had vid to prove it .. yellin at neighbor few yrs ago ,.. what ? chuck .. step on your handicap ramp ..
chuck runs out to me .. 3 to 5 feet away .. pew pew pew pew .. from the hip ..
front leg shot off , rear leg shot off .. and 2 in the back .. dead chuck ..

shoot your guns A LOT .. get to know them really close .. ..

 

[Jezman]

Just food for thought. Most of you dismiss a good shot without a group. What if you only get 1 shot to take? Like in a real world life and death situation. If you miss do you say wait I need more to determine if it is going to be a good group?

 

[Blimey]

I've gone to the range to shoot my bow before, the first arrow or first few arrows were on the money. I've gone home. Don't want to mess with perfection.

 

[Mosinitis]

Just food for thought. Most of you dismiss a good shot without a group. What if you only get 1 shot to take? Like in a real world life and death situation. If you miss do you say wait I need more to determine if it is going to be a good group?

It's a question of probability of each (or most) one shot being good one shot. A group is a set single shots.