Like you, I prefer the original Lynx, but calling the Lynx 2 a stripped down version is just totally false; it has features ADDED to it! What about STEREO SOUND and SCREEN SHUTOFF option? What exactly do you think they "stripped down" except for the overall size?!? It also feels every bit as sturdy as my Lynx I, but isn't painted like the 1st which totally sucks because mine is pealing off! I still prefer it because of it's larger size and the fact that I can use my SEGA Super-Wide-Gear screen magnifier with it which totally rocks! But I sure wish it had the features of my Lynx II...
Well, if you've played Lynx 1 with the internal speaker's volume all the way up and play Blue Lightening, it'd bring down your house!. Do the same with Lynx 2 and you can probably still hear cricket chirping outside.
Maybe it's because I'm hard of hearing but I can *feel* the difference in sound output and Lynx 1 literally rocks.