31 replies to this topic

[Catsmasher]

I purchased a new Lynx today from a local game dealer who had some in the warehouse. They weren't on display, but when I asked he went and looked and came back with a Lynx (the model that flips from right hand to left hand), a nylon carrying case, a snap-on sun shield and four games (all new in-the-box and unopened!). We struck a pretty good deal and I drove all the way home giggling like a school girl (a manly school girl).

The thing seems to work great, but when I play the games, large colored areas on the screen seem to have a faded 'streak' from top to bottom. It is a muted effect, and the game is still playable, but it bugs me.

This is my first experience with the Lynx. Is this a common thing with the Lynx screens?

I also noticed that the ATARI logo on the snap-on plastic sunsheild is molded in upside down! Is that common, too?
Thanks
Keep Playing!
Rob

[Tom-Lynx]

1. The Sun Shield is reversible....flip it over if you don't like the logo But that's the way they were made.
2. Adjust the brightness to see if you can get rid of the streaks.... otherwise it could be faulty

[the.golden.ax]

Sounds like a typical Lynx to me. If they are columns that kinda follow the graphics like for example your character looks like it is about to be Star Trek transported in a slight ghostly way... that is a typical Lynx.

AX

[roland p]

Catsmasher, on Mon Apr 6, 2009 5:15 AM, said:

The thing seems to work great, but when I play the games, large colored areas on the screen seem to have a faded 'streak' from top to bottom. It is a muted effect, and the game is still playable, but it bugs me.

This is my first experience with the Lynx. Is this a common thing with the Lynx screens?

Yep, it's part of the lynx experience
Can you make a picture of it for sure?

Roland.

[ls650]

Catsmasher, on Sun Apr 5, 2009 8:15 PM, said:

the model that flips from right hand to left hand),
large colored areas on the screen seem to have a faded 'streak' from top to bottom.

All Lynxes flip from right to left....

The faded streak you describe is common, but it shouldn't be too obvious in most games. It may be a sign that the batteries are weak. On my Lynxes that streak is very slight, and it fades as the screen operates for a while and "warms up".

[Catsmasher]

Thanks for the replies.
I will see if I can get a pict or two to post.
It is slight on Ms Pac Man, but really bad on the "between the levels" scenes in Xybots. Looks like total crap. Both with brand new batteries.
The comparison to a transporter effect (movie not TV) is a good one.
The dealer thought he might have another, but I hate to bother him if it is typical.

It is a shame - The used GameGear and NeoGeo handhelds I own both have crystal clear screens.

My daughter collects the Nintendo handhelds (she bought a DSi yesterday) and my son collects the Nintendo consoles - they are giving me all kinds of grief for buying an antique with such "issues".
Sometimes it is tough to be an Atari fan...kind of like being a browns fan - you take the good with the bad and keepsmilin

Keep Playing!
Rob

Edited by Catsmasher, Mon Apr 6, 2009 8:02 AM.

[Ransom]

Catsmasher, on Mon Apr 6, 2009 8:58 AM, said:

It is a shame - The used GameGear and NeoGeo handhelds I own both have crystal clear screens.

My daughter collects the Nintendo handhelds (she bought a DSi yesterday) and my son collects the Nintendo consoles - they are giving me all kinds of grief for buying an antique with such "issues".
Sometimes it is tough to be an Atari fan...kind of like being a browns fan - you take the good with the bad and keepsmilin

Or, you can refuse to buy any system made by Atari after 1980, and you'll be OK.

(I say that as someone who has a 5200, 7800, Jag, Lynx, etc. It's just that I've had so many problems with the later stuff that I sometimes begin to wonder about the wisdom of collecting anything besides the 2600 and the Atari 8-bit computer. But then I pop in a game, and I remember why I put up with the crap. )

[Emehr]

I have always noticed the ghostly effect in Xybots (between levels, as mentioned) and the briefing room screen in Warbirds and I've owned one since "the day". Never paid much attention to it. I always thought it was a little strange but it never kept me from enjoying my Lynx!

[ls650]

Ransom, on Mon Apr 6, 2009 7:08 AM, said:

(I say that as someone who has a 5200, 7800, Jag, Lynx, etc. It's just that I've had so many problems with the later stuff that I sometimes begin to wonder about the wisdom of collecting anything besides the 2600 and the Atari 8-bit computer.

Huh. I have found the later items to be perfectly reliable - well, except for the 5200 analog controllers - THOSE are shit.

[Ransom]

ls650, on Mon Apr 6, 2009 12:07 PM, said:

Ransom, on Mon Apr 6, 2009 7:08 AM, said:

(I say that as someone who has a 5200, 7800, Jag, Lynx, etc. It's just that I've had so many problems with the later stuff that I sometimes begin to wonder about the wisdom of collecting anything besides the 2600 and the Atari 8-bit computer.

Huh. I have found the later items to be perfectly reliable - well, except for the 5200 analog controllers - THOSE are shit.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant the comment to apply to the whole package - 5200 brittleness and lots of retread games from the 8-bit line, 7800 with anti-ergonomic controllers and a small, pitiful and (by the time it was released) irrelevant game library, Jaguar with dodgy hardware production values and lots of crappy games, Lynx with the dim screen and lots of poor games, etc.

From a curmudgeonly perspective, of course.

Edited by Ransom, Mon Apr 6, 2009 1:00 PM.

[Catsmasher]

Tom-Lynx, on Mon Apr 6, 2009 5:09 AM, said:

1. The Sun Shield is reversible....flip it over if you don't like the logo But that's the way they were made.

See the photo below - if you look at the hinge side, the shade is notched to fit. The other end is not notched. It can't be reversed. I guess you could flip the whole thing over, but then you would be looking down into the shade (and the other Atrai log would be upside down. Yesiree - this thing is dorked up! Kind of adds to the character.

Quote

Yep, it's part of the lynx experience
Can you make a picture of it for sure?

I also attached a few photos of my screen in action. The Ms Pac Man screen shows it best, the red streaks that go across the screen vertically. These pictures actually show it pretty well. Is this typical? It sounds like I should expect some of this, but this much?

Like I said - I could see if he will swap for another one, but I don't want to waste his time if they will all look the same.






Thanks
Keep Playing
Rob

Edited by Catsmasher, Mon Apr 6, 2009 8:27 PM.

[Tom-Lynx]

Those all look like perfect Lynx screen shots. No problems at all from what I'm used to seeing, and I've got 8 of them.

[Tom-Lynx]

And if you're playing with the sun shade propped open, you would want the logo to be readable for the person looking at you, right?

Just like Apple with their lit Apple logos on their laptops....

[MN12BIRD]

The screen isn't perfect given its age but I own a Lynx II and several Game Gears and I would say the screen is slightly better than the Game Gear. Not much but a tiny bit! The screen on the Lynx II is supposed to be better than the original Lynx also. The Game Gear does the same thing with the vertical lines from the bright spots. Some do it worse than others so there may be a simple fix (cap replace?) that can help that but a bit of it is normal.

[ls650]

That vertical 'streaking' is slightly more pronounced than my Lynxes, but yeah, that's fairly typical. Try turning the brightness level down a bit - the colours will be a bit paler but the streaking will also be less prominent.

[Sauron]

Yeah, those vertical bands are pretty normal. You should try turning down the brightness on the screen.

[nonner242]

Mine just sucks even in dark...Its bright.. just too pale/faded. Barely Visiable to me. GF dont mind too much tho..

[jaguar_fan]

I can confirm that your Lynx is in good condition. The way some screens look is just the normal thing.

[roland p]

It's sad that the original lynx screen (dstn?) was never upgraded to a tft one. Although not perfect, the turbo express had a really nice tft screen.

[Catsmasher]

Wow!
Looks like the feedback is unanimous.

I guess I was expecting more after watching my kids play those darned Nintendo GBs and DSs all these years.
My how things have changed.

Thanks everyone!

Keep Playing!
Rob

[MN12BIRD]

roland p, on Tue Apr 7, 2009 2:42 AM, said:

It's sad that the original lynx screen (dstn?) was never upgraded to a tft one. Although not perfect, the turbo express had a really nice tft screen.

The Turbo Express screen is so surprisingly good for its time. Way better than the Game Gear and Lynx.

[SRGilbert]

I'm kinda surprised that you prefer the Game Gear screen to the Lynx. Not a fan of the GG screen, probably why I do all my GG gaming on my GBA SP.

Don't get too hung up on the screen, I just hope you releshed opening up that virgin Lynx.

[Tom-Lynx]

I'd agree that the GameGear has the better screen, but the Lynx has the better game play and features.

[Catsmasher]

Thanks for all the feedback.
It WAS exciting finding a brand new Lynx and it was really cool opening the box and knowing I was the first person to tickle its buttons. I mainly got it for my collection, not so much as a "daily driver", so having one in perfect condition rocks!
I will be playing it, though. Can't help myself.
Collecting stuff that you can play with and bring back all those memories is the best kind of hobby!

Keep playing!
Rob

[SRGilbert]

If only someone could make a Lynx emulator for the DS, that would be perfection.