I own SIRT 107 (M&P9) and I’m happy with it, however it’s not a great training tool, it works great as training aid.
Few months ago I got a chance to train with these tools:
SIRT 110
TitanX
ACE XR
at the same day, so I was able to compare what actually worked for me.
The winner was TitanX. Combined with Academy it actually gave the best training experience and it’s closest to reality.
Because I’m not a Glock fan and TitanX is a copy of Glock - this tool doesn’t work for me.
I personally went my own route and I’m dryfiring with my EDC handguns with laser cardridge, electronic targets and shot timer that catches hammer drops. I even stopped using DryFire Laser System / Symulator.
My imagination and available simple tools are more creative than simulators.
Being able to actually see the movement and identify problems during dry fire practice sounds like a big advantage. It is encouraging that it helped improve both your point shooting and your control with subcompacts. Thanks for sharing your experience.
That is a good point, every system seems to have its strengths and limitations so it really comes down to what skills someone wants to focus on. The Mantis Laser Academy does seem like a versatile option for basic training. I like the idea of being able to expand the setup later if needed. Have you been using this system yourself and if so, what part of your shooting do you feel it has improved the most?
The fact that you are still using it several times a week after owning it for years says a lot about its value. It is good to hear that it helped improve both your draw and trigger control. The trigger reset limitation seems to be one of the biggest drawbacks people mention, but it sounds like the benefits have still made it worthwhile for you
It is always encouraging when a training adjustment actually fixes a bad habit over time rather than reinforcing it. Your experience also highlights something important: sometimes the simplest setup ends up being the one that gets used the most. If you are still getting value from the laser cartridge nearly a year later, that is probably a good sign that it serves a practical purpose beyond the novelty phase. Thanks for the update and the honest feedback.
It sounds like G-Sight has delivered exactly what you wanted it to do, which says a lot considering you are still using it after all these years.
I like the idea of a simple one-time purchase with no ongoing fees, especially for basic dry fire practice. At the same time, your comparison makes it seem like Mantis may be the better choice for someone looking for more detailed feedback and structured training. I appreciate you sharing your long term experience, it is helpful to hear from someone who has actually used the system for years rather than just reading product reviews.
I had started using Laser Systems / Simulators long time before MatisX appeared on the market.
I used LASR (then LASRX) with laser cardridge and my DA handguns. I actually never owned any of MantisX products, just tested them and never found usable for me. I cannot tell you then which part of it will be usable for you.
These days I just prefer multiple electronics targets, laser cardridge in my handguns and goot shot timer.
The Umarex BB gun sounds like a practical solution, especially since the trigger resets without needing CO2. That seems like a great way to get more realistic dry fire repetitions without constantly racking the slide. It is also good to know that the trigger feel is reasonably close to a Glock 19. I will definitely take a look at both the Umarex options and the TitanX models.
That is actually a great reminder that even experienced people can pick up unintended habits through repetition. Your background makes this especially interesting, it is reassuring to hear that the habit could be corrected with the right training approach.
That is a very helpful breakdown. I had not really considered how the type of firearm changes the whole dry fire experience, especially when it comes to trigger resets and avoiding training scars. Right now I am leaning toward something that balances cost and realistic practice so it is useful to see the pros and cons of TitanX, DryFireMag and CoolFire laid out side by side. Lots of good information to think about.
That is an interesting comparison, especially since you were able to test all three systems side by side on the same day. It says a lot that TitanX stood out even though you are not a Glock fan.
I also like your point about keeping things simple. Sometimes a good dry fire routine and a few basic tools can go a long way without needing a full simulator setup.
That is a good perspective. It sounds like you have experimented with a wide range of systems over the years and eventually settled on the setup that best fits your training style. I can definitely see the appeal of using your actual handgun with a laser cartridge, electronic targets and a shot timer. Keeping it simple while still getting meaningful feedback makes a lot of sense.
Interesting. TitanX seems to come up a lot whenever people compare these systems. Was there one specific feature or training drill that made it feel more realistic than the others?
None of the simulators are even close to the reality.
There is no specific training I can recommend. You have to know what do you want to train and practice, what are the fields you need to improve.
Please keep in mind - any tools, like SIRT, TitanX, MantisX, Dry-Fire Simulators, laser cartridge, laser targets - these are training aids only. They help you practice at home everything you train live with the Instructor.
Don’t treat training aids as instructor substitution
