Getting started with MantisX sensors is easy

Getting started can be easily done in 10 steps. Let’s take a look at these steps, and a few other optional steps to get your training started with MantisX sensors. Steps for the MantisX Shotgun and Archery apps will be similar to Pistol/Rifle with a few variations such as the app choice (more details at the end of the blog article on these other MantisX apps). 

1. Download the MantisX app from your app store 

2. Verify your sensor is charged (fully charged in an hour)

3. Install adapter if needed - if your gun does not have a picatinny rail or if you are training from a holster

4. Verify Bluetooth is enabled on your smartphone or tablet and give the app permission to connect to the sensor

5. Create a Mantis User Profile (optional)

6. Attach the sensor to your firearm

7. Verify your settings are correct (firearm type, shot detection mode, shooting hand, mount location & direction) 

8. Open the app, and press CONNECT - then leave the firearm with the sensor on a flat surface until the calibrated with the app

9. Choose a drill from the list and tap START

10. When you're done with a round of shooting, press STOP & analyze your data by swiping or tapping the tabs at the top of the screen.  Press RESET to start a new round.

Let’s go a little further into detail for each of those steps:

1. 

   INSTALL APP - Choosing the correct MantisX training app is important as each app works differently.  For example if you are looking to connect the MantisX sensor to an app for training with your handgun, then install the Mantis Pistol/Rifle app on your phone or tablet. 

2. CHARGE - Charge the sensor before use, as recommended for any electronic. The MantisX sensors take an hour to charge, BlackbeardX and TitanX batteries are bigger and take longer to charge. A full charge will last for a full day of training. Use the included cable to charge your sensor.
   
   The battery percentage can be found in the app at the bottom of the SETTINGS tab.
   
   The LED on the sensor will light up and flash a fast pulse when charging. The pulse on current sensor models will slow down when fully charged. Early sensor versions shut off or turned constant when fully charged.

3. ADAPTER? - The sensors slide on standard picatinny rails and lock into place in the notches. Picatinny Rails are the notched area just under the muzzle of many popular handguns or on the side rails of AR platform rifles. Our Rail Adapter Finder Tool is a great resource to help you find out if your gun needs an adapter and which adapters work. If your gun is not listed, give customer support a shout at support@mantisx.com or hit the chat button with the make/model of your gun and request assistance with ordering the correct adapter. Magazine Adapters are also a great option for training out of a holster as the sensor is mounted to the magazine instead of on the picatinny rail, under the muzzle.
   
   

   

   Model specific Floorplate Rail Adapters are installed by replacing the floorplate of the magazine (not available for all gun models).
   
   

   

   The Universal MagRail Adapter works on most guns with a flat-bottom magazine or flat surface (competition air pistols). This adapter also works on bows using the adhesive or the included screw for mounting to a bow.
   
   There is a short video on the Universal MagRail Adapter product page that illustrates how the adapter is installed and used. The Universal Adapter adheres very well. Allow the VHB adhesive to sit overnight before use, for full cure time. VHB adhesive is a fast and easy-to-use semi-permanent bonding method that provides high strength and long-term durability. VHB adhesive can replace mechanical fasteners (rivets, welding, screws) or liquid adhesives. If the adapter adhesive is removed, then the bottom of the magazine may need to be cleaned off with an adhesive remover like rubbing alcohol or Goo Gon

4. BLUETOOTH ENABLED - This step is one of the most commonly missed steps. When the app is installed it will only ask for necessary permissions. Grant the permissions upon installation. The MantisX sensors connect to the app using Bluetooth and if permission is not granted or if Bluetooth is not turned on, then the sensor won’t connect.
   
   If you skipped the permission step when you installed the app, then you will also need to go into the smartphone/tablet settings under apps and give the app permission.

5. USER PROFILE - A free Mantis training profile account is optional. A Mantis account allows users to store their training history on the Mantis servers.  The shot data and firearm data are used only in ‘batch’ analytics to help drive future improvements of app design. Individual data is not looked at unless the customer is requesting assistance from the support staff and we need to review something to offer the best assistance. The account profile can be accessed from multiple (Synced) devices or on the train.mantisx.com online profile. The online profile allows you access to additional analytics and has more export options.
   
   Multiple people can use a single Mantis sensor by creating individual Mantis accounts. It is recommended that each user have their own account to track individual training progress. The Mantis User Profile also enables users to join or create a group for that extra training accountability. (See User Manual for more details). 

6. ATTACH SENSOR - To attach the MantisX sensor, press on the lever and hold the lever back. Then slide the sensor* onto the rail. The sensor should lock into the notched rail on your firearm.  Make sure that the sensor does not extend past the firearm muzzle to prevent damage to the sensor from the live fire muzzle blast. When installing on a bow, the sensor USB should also be facing downrange or toward the archer.
   
   *Notice the Mount Direction of the USB port:
   Forward - USB charging port facing toward the shooter or the quick connect locking lever is on the front, away from the shooter.
   Backward - USB port facing down range away from the shooter or the quick connect lever is on the back side, near the shooter.
   

7. VERIFY SETTINGS - Go through the Settings on the SETTINGS tab and verify the correct options are selected.
   
   >> Choose the correct Firearm (or bow) Type. Add details to the arsenal for your training record keeping. If your gun is not listed, no worries simply tap the +ADD and type your make/model, if it doesn't come up then the add custom button shows up so you can add your choice to the list. Adding caliber to the firearm details will calculate an ammo savings (common calibers only) to help you see how much you have saved on the cost of ammo during your dry fire training.
   
   >> Choose the correct Shot Detection Mode. Use the universal dry fire and live fire modes or choose from the other available options. If the mode is incorrect, then shots may not be detected. Some guns work better with a personalized mode (available through the Shot Detection Troubleshooter located at the bottom of the SETTINGS screen).
   
   >> Choose the matching sensor Mount Direction identified in Step #6
   
   >> Choose the Mount Location
   Bottom: Mount sensor under muzzle, on magazine, or barrel’s underside
   Top: Mount sensor on top rail, above barrel
   Left: Mount sensor on left side rail
   Right: Mount sensor on right side rail
   

8. CONNECT - Open the app if it is not already open. Press the power button on the sensor and the LED should start flashing to indicate searching for the app. In the Mantis app, press the red CONNECT button, near the center of the screen.
   
   Alternate connection options:

   1. Open the Settings screen of the MantisX app, scroll down and then select the CONNECT/DISCONNECT BLUETOOTH button near the bottom of the screen.
   2. Starting a drill will prompt the red Connect button, if a sensor is not already connected.

9. START A DRILL - Review the list of drills and select one and tap the START button on the next screen. A good drill to start with is the MantisX Benchmark. The Benchmark is a 10 shot drill that can be configured or used to help you see how your training is progressing from the last time you ran the Benchmark drill.
   
   Details on the different drills in the Pistol/Rifle app are found in the Train - Drills section of the Pistol/Rifle User Manual. Each drill also has a variety of settings that can be configured to suit your training needs.
   
   

10. STOP THE DRILL - When you are done with the drill, tap the STOP button. Some drills with a specific shot count will automatically stop when you reach the specified shot count. Swipe either direction to review the analysis or tap the buttons at the top for each of the screens. (When training any of these screens may be viewed during an active session). Use these screens together to identify what you are doing to improve and get the most out of your training time. 

Tap the RESET button to start the drill again or tap the back arrow in the top left corner. 

There are 5 data and diagnostic screens in the Mantis Pistol/Rifle app: 

Check out the User Manual for additional information for full app details.

>> SCORE SUMMARY - Shows the session shot scores and timing of each shot.

>> SEGMENT CHART  - Shows your shot score and diagnostic tips of potential reasons why your shots moved off the point of aim. Select the red segment to view more details.

>> MOVEMENT TREND CHARTS -  Track Score, Hold Control and Trigger Control trends for each session

>> TRACE VIEW -  Traces the muzzle movement to help illustrate your Hold Control and Trigger Control before, during and after the trigger press.

Crosshair = where you were aiming 

White X = the trigger break or where the shot would have approximately hit

Blue =  hold, Yellow = trigger press, Red = after the trigger break

>> LIVE VIEW - Shows the live view of the sensor movement and is used for setting the cant or troubleshooting. This view is only seen during an active session.  More details in User Manual 

There are 3 data and diagnostic screens in the Mantis Shotgun app: 

>> TRACE VIEW -  Illustrates the movement and velocity of your swing. Red = rapid increase, Green = consistent, Blue= sudden decrease, . Velocity illustrates vertical and horizontal speed.

>>  SCORECARD - Track hit/miss; left, right or center; station number and split time

>> COMPARE - Shots in a session, filter for better comparison

There are 4 data and diagnostic screens in the Mantis Archery app: 

>> TRACE VIEW - Illustrates movement, stability and comparison. 

X’s indicate when the arrow was released and when the arrow left the bow

Aqua = raising the bow, Green = settling down into the target, Yellow = settling into a hold, Orange = before arrow release (coming into anchor & completing the shot), Red = follow through.

>> SEGMENT CHART - See the rise and cant of bow at the release of each shot. Adjust the slider to adjust the time before release to view the change in the red segment. Tap on the red segment to view potential shooting form issues

>> TIMER - Shows the time of each phase Setup, On Target, Hold and Total time

>> PLACEMENT - Tap the lock/unlock button and then tap anywhere on the screen to drag and drop placement of the arrow on the target for each shot. 

After a few training sessions and you become familiar with these 10 Get Started steps then training with MantisX is as easy as 1,2, 3. 

1. Open App and turn on the sensor

2. Press Connect 

3. Start your Drill

Enjoy your Training!