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As IPSC enthusiasts and competitors, we like to get to the range as often as possible. But life gets in the way, and ammo is expensive. When we can't get there, dry firing is a good thing to do.
Now dry fire is obviously great training, and a heck of a lot cheaper than live fire training. Sadly, it can get a bit dull at times, and has some obvious limitations. Hence we are always on the lookout for ways to dry fire more fun; and get better value for the time invested. Mantis Laser Academy does both of those in spades.
The kit comes with targets, laser bullet, a tripod, and a phone holder. Everything you need, apart from downloading the App from the Google or Apple App stores.
There are three things that we particularly like about it:
The App provides a huge amount of drills and useful feedback on every shot.
The whole system is fast to set up (under a minute).
The app records exactly where the shot lands. The app even has a feature to adjust for parallax errors when you're training at close range.
Some of the other things worth noting:
The targets have a code in each corner which means you just put them up on a wall and point your phone towards it. The app automatically recognizes which target you are shooting at, and scores it accordingly.
User-friendly in every respect, with lots of guidance and information on the Mantis website.
The laser training cartridge that fits into the chamber of the actual firearm you use to compete with
The immediate feedback, is captured and scored by smartphone (or tablet).
The convenience of this system cannot be overstated. Its simplicity allows me to set up and begin a session in minutes, offering the flexibility to practice in various settings without the need for a trip to the range. This accessibility has enables you to incorporate more frequent, focused training sessions into your routine, significantly enhancing and maintaining what are after all, perishable skills.
The app's variety of drill options keeps practice sessions engaging and challenging. With 14 different modes, and more on the horizon, there is a heap of variety for those days when you just need something new to simulate the brain.
Modes like Open Shooting and Shot From Guard/Low Ready are fantastic for honing in on specific skills, while the Duel mode offers a fun, competitive twist to practice sessions, making it a fantastic way to introduce new shooters to the sport in a safe and controlled environment.
From an economic standpoint, the value of the Laser Academy is undeniable. The cost savings over traditional range visits are substantial, not to mention the convenience of being able to train anytime. The investment in this system pays dividends in improved shooting performance, making it an essential tool for serious IPSC competitors.
One of the main benefits is training yourself in shot calling. It gives you the ability to do this time and again with immediate feedback on every shot. Just draw and fire (or transition and fire) as quickly as you can, calling your shot on the way, then check the app, to see where it actually landed on the target.
The one downside for IPSC shooters is that there isn't a Classic IPSC Target in the kit. This isn't a huge downside though, as the app allows you to configure multiple target zones manually. Just place a Classic IPSC mini target or our dry fire target array on your wall and you can set up the A-Zone as the scoring area via the app.
The short version: the Mantis Laser Academy is a great tool for IPSC competitors, offering a fun and time/ammo efficient training tool. Its blend of technology, convenience, and versatility makes it a standout option for for any pistol shooter who wants to improve their shooting.