Most instructors in the firearms arena agree that dry fire practice is key to building and maintaining your shooting skill set.  Mantis created Laser Academy to provide visual confirmation of shots in dry fire practice, bringing accountability to where their shots go during dry fire practice.  There are many other companies who also have built apps and tools for dry fire practice using a laser training cartridge and in this article we are going to compare two: Mantis Laser Academy and Strikeman.

The Hardware

The basic Strikeman kit costs $99.99 and comes with a target stand, one target, a tripod and a laser training cartridge.  There is an app to download and run on an iOS or Android device, and with the app open, point the device at the target to calibrate and then configure a session with just some basic choices of a time limit or number of shots.  The Strikeman Pro package costs $199.99 and includes 2 “multiple targets” sheets, where the same target is shown 12 times on the sheet, a target stand tripod with smartphone holder, and a laser training cartridge.  Purchasing the Pro package requires adding the monthly/yearly subscription at $79.99 per year or $9.99 per month to open up the additional features to use game modes with the multiple targets.

Mantis Laser Academy has two kits for purchase, but if the user already owns a laser training cartridge, the app can be downloaded and used, giving access to 12 free drills.  All Laser Academy targets are available for a free download and print option here.  The Laser Academy Portable kit is $99.  It contains a zippered case, a laser training cartridge, a portable tripod for a smartphone, twelve 5x7 targets, adhesive putty, an extraction stick, and a lifetime access code to the app.  The Laser Academy Standard kit costs $159.00 and comes with everything the Portable kit has, plus a large tripod and smartphone holder, twelve 8.5 x 11 targets, an extra set of batteries for the laser training cartridge, 5 target stands, and the Laser Academy phone shades, which are very useful in rooms with bright lights.  There is no monthly or yearly subscription cost to use the Laser Academy app.  All kits provide a lifetime access code that gives all-access to the app, including future drills and functionality. 

Comparing the Apps

The Strikeman app is available through the Apple or Google Play stores.  A free version of the app is available to use with the basic kit with no subscription allowing the user to train with the single target in the kit either by shot count or session length in time.  The app will store limited metrics on these sessions and a picture of the target.  The Strikeman Pro subscription opens up 3 drills, which are different techniques to practice, and 4 game modes.  The Pro subscription also opens up additional data fields available in the metrics area showing score, the ability to highlight the scoring zone for each shot and the split time on timed drills, as well as the firearm used for the session.  

When using the Pro targets, once the session is set, then the user must rotate their phone horizontally to calibrate the target and execute the session.  At the completion of the session or to change any settings would require the device to be rotated back vertically.  As for hands-off navigation, Strikeman has the option to repeat any session through a voice command.  All other actions must take place on the device itself.  Strikeman has the ability to interact with other users’ sessions through its app with the followers function.

The lifetime access code to Mantis Laser Academy (included with the kits, or one-time purchase through the app) opens up 31 drills, and gives the owner access to all future updates and drills (and all future targets are downloadable at www.mantisx.com).  Drills range from open training on single or multiple (different) targets, to drills working on holster draw and close contact from the holster, to malfunctions and reloads.  Many of the drills can be done on the Laser Academy targets of the user’s choosing or the user's own target through the manual target function.  Laser Academy also has cognitive drills through their Hunt drill, giving three levels of difficulty to a visual or voice command of what to shoot on the target, again giving benefit to the user to think and process before shooting. 

The app and device do not need to be rotated to work in multiple target mode and drills can be started, stopped, and repeated through the use of the control target or control area located on many targets, making the app completely hands-off once a drill is chosen and set up.  The history in Laser Academy (including the free version) includes all the data within the session, including shot score, split time, the ability to highlight the location on the target, firearm, distance and a picture of the target.

The Learning Factor

When running the Strikeman game modes, the Call Out and the Cognitive Thinking modes provide the most benefit to the user to add a thinking action.  The app visually shows the user what target to shoot at either by letter, number, or even color and requires the user to watch the device to know what to shoot and then transition to the target to make the shots.  The user is limited to choosing one of two available targets for the game modes, either bullseye or humanoid.  Strikeman also provides the ability to compete with another person live or remotely by setting up matches and tournaments.

Mantis Laser Academy has 18 targets and 31 drills to choose from when training and new targets and drills are being added in the future, allowing the user to select the target and drill that best fits their training needs and provides novelty to dry fire training.  There are standard targets like the NRA B8 and B27 targets, FBI Qualification and Dot Torture targets that are commonly used for shooting drills for classes.  For the competitors, there are IDPA, USPSA and IPSC targets to practice with.  Then there’s just some targets, including some drills, that are just plain fun!  Want to get your holiday spirit on?  Play some Jingle Bells or Frosty on our Bells target, or create your own tune!

Mantis Laser Academy’s drills also include a target and drill specific for cognitive thinking.  The Hunt drill is available to a lifetime access user and uses shading, numbers and shapes to drive the user into processing either visually or audibly (or both) in what area to shoot on the Hunt target.  Providing the audible clue allows a user’s eye to remain on the target while processing the command given.  

Laser Academy also has 3 drills in which users can compete with each other in person.  Two of the drills allow for any Laser Academy target to be chosen, just download and print another copy of the chosen target, hang it up and compete with Duel - 5 Shot or Duel - High Score drills.  The Hunt Drill is also available in Duel mode to compete with another on cognitive commands and whomever can hit first the best out of 5 tries wins!

Mantis Laser Academy also provides its users the Journey, which is a learning track to help new users learn fundamentals and improve their skills from the comfort of home.  The Journey starts out with basic skills and guides the users through drills and ultimately through the first Pistol Marksmanship course.  Pass the course and get a free patch!  The Journey continues to evolve into more complex skills and will be leading the user into further courses in the future.

Conclusion

Mantis Laser Academy and Strikeman will both help improve your shooting accuracy, provided you put in the time and effort to use them.  Overall, Mantis Laser Academy is the better cost value, not only on the initial Standard kit cost, but because there is no long term commitment through a subscription service.  You will also get a bigger variety of drills and targets to make your dry fire practice fresh and engaging.  It's important to understand what your training goals are, what your budget is, and what features are most important to you. Ultimately, the conclusion is truly yours to draw.

Visit the Laser Academy page on the MantisX website to watch videos and read up on more details of the MantisX Laser Academy system.