Steiner TOR-X Laser Trainer [Hands-On Review]

Steiner TOR-X Specs

• Weight: 1.95 oz. (with battery)
• Housing: Aluminum with Type III anodizing
• Battery: 1/3N Lithium
• Laser: 520 nm green
• Waterproof: IP54 (splashproof)
• Price: $359

Recently, Mantis, known for their shooting training acumen, brought their considerable know-how together with Steiner — a company renowned for military-grade lasers and optics.

The companies melded their talents into a product called TOR-X in the hopes of further elevating the dry-fire game.

In essence, the TOR-X is a Mantis X paired with a Steiner TOR laser. This begs the question; what are the benefits of combining these two products together?

We got one in to test out for ourselves and we’ll share our findings with you below, so read on!

Steiner TOR-X

$359

at Mantis

Prices accurate at time of writing

$359 at Mantis

How We Tested the Steiner TOR-X

The TOR-X was mounted to a Staccato P and where multiple rounds of dry-fire testing over the course of several days ensued. Per the directions, the free Mantis X app was downloaded on an iPhone paired with the TOR-X via Bluetooth.

The app was used to work through the various drills included. For training requiring a draw, a Safariland light-bearing holster designed for the Staccato P was utilized.

At the helm was Sean Curtis, who has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career of over two decades. He received continued training for his roles in SWAT and was a POST-certified handgun instructor.

Steiner TOR-X Features

The hardware (covered below) is a vehicle for the real experience, which is the immersive Mantis X app. This feature-dense program has a series of different drills designed to engage and challenge you in your handgun proficiency.

One of the best benefits is that it uses various metrics to track your performance. Time is one of the first and easiest units to measure, and anything from drawing and shooting to breaking a shot on the buzzer (reaction time) can give you an idea of how you’re doing.

In addition, the TOR-X uses motion sensors to track even the slightest movement of the firearm during the draw, during the actual shot, and after the shot. Looking at the feedback displayed in squiggly lines, it’s a wonder we’re able to deliver accurate fire at all.

All this data is a bit tough to comprehend at first. There are “spider charts,” different-colored lines tracing movement, and even video replays accurately graphing the movement of your pistol.

Thankfully, the Mantis X app also has more in-depth courses. While many of them consist of a series of related skills drills, the first one, Mantis X Introduction, will teach you how to use the app and understand the results.

Some of my favorite drills were as follows: Shot Timer, shooting any number of shots and viewing the results; Compressed Surprise Break, gun up and ready, then break the shot on the beep; and Holster Draw Analysis, which is a simple (yet challenging) as it sounds.

Being a former law enforcement firearms instructor, I was thrilled to see Decision Drills in the lineup. This drill presents a color that is a shoot color, then gives you a beep and presents random colors.

If you get it right, it gives you the metrics of how long it took you to make the decision and break the shot, and it even estimates your accuracy. If you get it wrong…well, there’s always another round.

Another huge benefit of the Mantis X is you can use all this information to improve. In fact, the app gives you feedback about what might be causing various issues.

For example, during one drill, I was consistently pulling shots and in the summary, the app suggested I was using too little trigger finger. I clicked on this and was led to a screen that had images of proper and improper technique, plus coaching on how to fix it.

I noted improvements through the various drills I tried, first establishing a baseline and then working to improve speed, accuracy, or some other skill.

While I am primarily focusing on the TOR-X's applicability to dry fire, it can clearly be used for live fire by toggling a switch. Training live fire will have great benefits because it's closer to real life, and the unit will graph how you handle recoil.

Fit & Feel

The TOR-X feels like a lightweight, quality instrument with two large rubberized buttons on either side (ambidextrous) for laser activation. Incidentally, the laser has nothing to do with the training portion of the Mantis X app.

I have used some laser training devices in the past, and it might seem like Steiner came on board to fill that role. It’s not the case. The laser is intended as a visual reference for aiming only, though you can certainly use it during your dry-fire sessions.

Mounting the TOR-X was a piece of cake, and I appreciated that the crossbar in the unit can be placed in multiple positions, allowing for various depths according to your needs. Two sturdy bolts held it securely to the accessory rail on my pistol.

Who Is the Steiner TOR-X For?

Anyone who wants to improve their shooting without spending more money on range fees and ammunition will value the TOR-X. Even shooters who get out frequently could benefit from more dry-fire practice during downtime or when the range isn’t available.

Steiner TOR-X

$359

at Mantis

Prices accurate at time of writing

$359 at Mantis

Final Verdict

The TOR-X is a great product that can help people of all skill levels improve their shooting. That being said, shoppers should consider whether they need a laser added to their training device.

Many firearms instructors believe lasers can potentially degrade perishable skills if they are relied upon to shortcut the fundamentals of marksmanship. Lasers are great for working with shields, but irons or a red dot should be used for establishing sight picture.

On the other hand, lasers can be very telling—pointing out that ridiculous shake while you hold on target or tracking your poor recoil mitigation on visible surfaces. In this sense, they can be an accompanying diagnostic tool.

This unit and app will improve skills and save money, just like the Mantis X. But if you’ve absolutely got to have a pointing laser, the TOR-X is the way to go.

What do you think of the Steiner TOR-X? Let us know in the comments below. Want to check out more laser training devices? Head over to our round-up of the Best Laser Targets & Ammo.