should I get a Lynx I or II?

[toptenmaterial]

I noticed that best-electronics-ca.com is selling refurbished Lynx decks for around $45, which seems pretty straight to me. They offer both the Lynx I and II. Does anyone have an opinion as it which one I should get? Personally, I think that the first model looks cooler.

[GadgetUK]

Agreed the 1st looks cooler =)

 

The Lynx 2 has slightly better battery life, and has stereo sound (through headphones) on some games. Its easier to fit proto cards and flash cards into Lynx 2, due to lack of the 'door' that can make those cards hard to plug into a Lynx 1 - unless you remove the door like I did on my Lynx 1.

 

Overall Lynx 2 is better but I prefer Lynx 1.

[GadgetUK]

Also, should the LCD fail on Lynx 1, its soldered to the board, whereas on the Lynx 2 its connected by a detachable ribbon.

[toptenmaterial]

Thanks Gadget UK. To me, the II looks similar to the other non-Nintendo handhelds of the era. Any difference in the level of comfort between the two?

[Michael David Morsette]

I find the Lynx I a lot more comfortable to play. I only use the II when I want to use my flashcard or play EOTB.

[Greg2600]

Are not the Lynx I screens frequently scratched up because they didn't have the native screen cover?

[Cammy]

I have small hands and prefer to hold the Lynx II, but my friend has normal sized hands and prefers holding the original Lynx. I have seen Lynx IIs with more scratched screens than original Lynxes, probably because the plastic is easier to scratch than the glass screen. I think the + shaped D-pad on the original Lynx is the best of all three D-pad designs though.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Cammy

[shadow460]

I have a slight preference for the Lynx 1, or "skateboard" as I call it.

[GadgetUK]

Comfort on official cards is better on Lynx 1 imo. If you play a prototype card - or in my case use the zif socket card, the chip sticks out to the point it annoys your left hand on Lynx 1 (and youve got to remove the cart door to allow it to fit). On the Lynx 2 theres no problem with protos etc.

Edited October 2, 2012 by GadgetUK

[Michael David Morsette]

I don't have a problem with most homebrews and protos on the Lynx I without taking the battery cover off. The exception is anything that has chips low on the board. So Diag cart, or any repro protos from Best Electronics, Video 61, Songbird Productions etc, work great. Hotdog which has the chip lower on the board is a tight fit, and EOTB which has a save chip lower on the board won't fit at all (without taking the battery cover off), but the rest work great for me.

[GadgetUK]

I have small hands and prefer to hold the Lynx II, but my friend has normal sized hands and prefers holding the original Lynx. I have seen Lynx IIs with more scratched screens than original Lynxes, probably because the plastic is easier to scratch than the glass screen. I think the + shaped D-pad on the original Lynx is the best of all three D-pad designs though.

 

Good point about the screen glass - I didnt know that Lynx 1 screen was glass but it must be as the Lynx 1 I just bought has a perfect screen, not the slightest scratch on the screen at all despite the odd small mark on the case itself.

[Shawn Jefferson]

I don't think the Lynx I screen (actually plastic bit that's part of the top case) is glass. It pops right off there, and feels plastic to me.

[Cammy]

Really? Well I don't know for sure, it just seems like the screen itself is right there, rather than having a clear plastic window over it like the Lynx II. Perhaps it's just a different type of plastic, but it seems more scratch resistant anyway.

[number six]

Both have their upsides but all in all I think I like the Lynx 2 a bit better. It's more compact and seems to do better on battreries than the original which just gobbled them up.

 

Never had any protos/homebrew but remember the 1st gen cards that didn't have the little curved "handle" bit at the end? I remember having to use needlenose plyers to get California Games out of the damn thing on occasion.

 

Either way $45 is a pretty sweet deal.

[shadow460]

My Lynx I looks like a metal dalmation due to all the scuffed and chipped paint, but the screen is crystal clear for some reason. Seriously, the unit looks like it's been through a war, but the only thing on the screen is fingerprints.

[ArizonaSurplusAuction]

I have 4 Lynx 1 systems that work good, have some paint wear on grips but OG never touched for sale - asking 40$ ea

 

 

I also have LEMMINGS W/ Manual and its all in great condition.

Edited December 14, 2012 by ArizonaSurplusAuction

[the.golden.ax]

After several months of trying to sell Lynx I systems for $29 on my sale thread this year I gave up and put them away.

 

Interesting... proves I put to many items in for people to process

[Sek]

Lynx I's seem to be more prone to wear and tear, however I had to buy two Lynx II's before I got one with a good screen. Personally I prefer the II's but I don't think you can make a wrong choice.