A while back, I wrote a review for the Mantis Blackbeard. I know this is way past due (Sorry, Elise). Still, here it is—the review for the Mantis Blackbeard X. I won't get into the nitty gritty or the differences between the two because I am not a technical guy, and there are plenty of gun nerds out there who could break it down much better than I can. But I will tell you why I love the Blackbeard X.
When I train with my rifle, I do it outside. That's the best way, and I stand by that. I love the feeling of being outdoors and running and gunning with my various rifles. However, I also live in the bowels of hell, and in the Texas summer, being outdoors can make me melt faster than Rudy Giuliani on stage. That said, I needed an alternative and found it in the Blackbeard X. A couple of times a week, I would take my normal Blackbeard and have fun. It's fantastic that it resets the trigger for you.
But then I got my hands on the Blackbeard X, which made me drop the original Blackbeard faster than Kamala's poll numbers. It became an obvious choice. The Blackbeard X combines the X10 and Laser Academy features into one rifle package. It also offers specific courses and training for Blackbeard X that you can't get by mixing the original Blackbeard with the Mantis X10. In other words, the BlackBeard X has a built-in Mantis X sensor within the magazine/battery pack. This allows you to use the Mantis X system without attaching a separate sensor to your AR-15 or BlackBeard's magazine.
We have all heard that dry firing is the way to go. And if you can't get to an outdoor range, yes, it is. Having the Blackbeard X has changed the way I dry fire at home. Utilizing the Laser Academy with the X without resetting the trigger makes ME time much more fun and less frustrating. A further benefit is when you set up laser targets around the house, and your wife asks for help by sweeping the house, you get the benefit of trolling your wife and training simultaneously. I also fancy myself a GI Joe (they had killer laser guns), so as I clear the house, I just keep yelling Yo Joe!
And let's talk about the battery life. It's insane. I've gone through 5000 "rounds" with the laser, and it's still running. The Blackbeard X is not just a fun and effective training tool; it's a durable and reliable investment that will last you a long time.
All in all, Blackbeard X is the way to go. It's fun and efficient (unlike the current state of the American government).
