Recent reviews thoughts on Liquivision Lynx U2?

[rsingleton]

There are some reviews on SB but many are dated back to when it was first launched. Couldn't find much this year. What are your thoughts for an AI computer compared to say the EON.

The locator feature of the Lynx seems pretty cool when i'm diving with friends who sometimes like to split off into separate groups to explore. How do ppl like the tap vs manual buttons. Is it nice a responsive. Or finicky and you find your self banging on it. I've already read mostly all reviews and threads about the EON. So don't need updated about it's functions, weight, size, etc. Plenty of threads about that DC here. Not finding as much on the Lynx, but seems to be an awesome DC.

BTW: Not looking for a rant on the EON on how overpriced it is, or the issued with lockouts, etc. I know all about those and there are certainly countless threads of people expressing opinions about the EON. Just looking for opinions between two seemingly popular AI computers. And I'm not looking for responses about everyone who dislikes AI computers either.

Thanks

 

[markmud]

Hi Rsingleton,

Caveat Emptor: I do not own or use Liquivision products. You piqued my curiosity and liked what I saw/read.



This screen would be the design for MY perfect main screen! I also like the that you can see your buddies tank pressure. It has a locator feature too.

For a recreational diver, this seems really cool!

This has all the bells and whistles. The Lynx with U-2 is $1,295.00 on the Liquivision website. It is probably less expensive elsewhere.

If I was a wealthy person who could spend that much money without affecting my lifestyle or retirement planning, I would probably buy a set-up for my family/buds. It can monitor/locate up to 10 divers.

But, I am not wealthy, so I will stick with the Toyota of dive gear, Oceanic.

markm

 

[drrich2]

When I was checking into the Lynx (didn't buy one), issues that put me off were reported short battery life, and if memory serves some people seemed to think the tray for the rechargeable battery didn't look as sturdy as one might hope? Computers with these color emitting light displays (rather than LCD) seem to go through batteries faster, so I pay attention to the battery life angle when looking at them. I've been following the thread on the Seabear Subgravity H3 & T1 a bit; I'd think right now they might be key competition for the Lynx.

I'm curious as to where things stand these days with regard to Lynx battery life (e.g.: how often you have to open & close the battery compartment).

Locator function does sound neat, though.

Richard.

 

[rsingleton]

When I was checking into the Lynx (didn't buy one), issues that put me off were reported short battery life, and if memory serves some people seemed to think the tray for the rechargeable battery didn't look as sturdy as one might hope? Computers with these color emitting light displays (rather than LCD) seem to go through batteries faster, so I pay attention to the battery life angle when looking at them. I've been following the thread on the Seabear Subgravity H3 & T1 a bit; I'd think right now they might be key competition for the Lynx.

I'm curious as to where things stand these days with regard to Lynx battery life (e.g.: how often you have to open & close the battery compartment).

Locator function does sound neat, though.

Richard.

I have an OLED now with crappy battery life. So that's not a deal breaker to me. in fact Lynx one may be better in that area than mine. I was checking out the SeaBear as well. Heard it wasn't very user friendly. But I don't know myself. And it's too knew to know about reliability. that's all i know on that one..

 

[dmaziuk]

I have an OLED now with crappy battery life. So that's not a deal breaker to me. in fact Lynx one may be better in that area than mine. I was checking out the SeaBear as well. Heard it wasn't very user friendly. But I don't know myself. And it's too knew to know about reliability. that's all i know on that one..

Website says it will run of CR123 & equivalents. Good ones aren't very cheap but compared to the price of the unit, a charger and a couple of spares would be reasonable. It's a big plus over H3/T1 since swapping a battery takes 2 minutes. Charging it takes overnight.

Since buddy separation is cited in most diving accidents, buddy locator is a big plus.

 

[drrich2]

It's a big plus over H3/T1 since swapping a battery takes 2 minutes. Charging it takes overnight.

A big plus maybe, but for which product will be a matter of opinion.

Some people strongly prefer a unit with user replaceable batteries, because if they forget to charge the thing up & it runs down, long as they've got a spare, they can swap it out. A nice option.

Some people don't like opening & closing a battery compartment, as it can be a tedious hassle and there's the risk a hair or other detritus may prevent a good o-ring seal leading the battery compartment flooding and ruining the computer.

My old Oceanic VT3 wrist unit gets a lot of mileage out of a battery, but I've got to change it. I'm not 'handy' and find it nerve-wracking. My old Cobalt 1 console can just be plugged in to charge; I prefer that.

From post 102 by MixAddict in the thread I linked, regarding the H3:

Battery life on a single charge is as follows:

1. Diving - approximately 14 hours
2. Standby mode while wearing as a watch - approximately 30 days
3. Standby mode while inactive (sitting on the shelf) - approximately one year

Some believe the Li-ion battery will gradually lose capacity. I suspect the rechargeable in the Lynx would also (but would be simpler to replace; the H3 you'd have to send to the factory for replacement of a battery)?

I did a little searching:

1.) Lynx - the love is back (mostly). (Nov. 2014). Some excerpts:

That said, the rechargeable batteries (LFP123A) in both units became another item to pull out, maintain o-rings, and charge every night.
I fortunately brought a non-rechargeable (ER 17335M) I was able to use temporarily, as I discovered on the second day that the rechargeable battery in the computer did not last past 4 dives (~300min).

Also, I admit, as other's have described, concern over the potential longevity of the battery tray, and the added risk to both pieces with daily opening and required o-ring confirmation and maintenance.

2.) Have the issues with the LYNX been resolved? (Sept. 2014). Some excerpts:

Ive had one dead transmitter which was replaced, even though they said there was nothing wrong with it. It didnt turn on and start making the ultrasonic chirping sounds that are easy to hear. Didnt link to my computer. Worked for around 15 dives and then stopped.

They also have about a 3 dive limit to the white rechargeable battery before they go yellow on the display. And yes i have set both the transmitter and computer to the correct white battery profile in the computer and yes i do purge both my first stages after each dive to deactivate the transmitter and stop it draining the battery.

Ive also turned the brightness down to its minimum.

I was and still am a little concerned with the battery tray and wiring but I have a couple hundred dives on mine with a lot of batterychanges and all is still OK. For the record I use the rechargeable batteries and get 5 or six dives on them over a weekend or couple of weekends...

I don't own a Lynx or a SeaBear so I have no stake here other than passing along what I hear hoping it may aid an informed decision, whatever you do.

Richard.

 

[Diving Dubai]

When I was checking into the Lynx (didn't buy one), issues that put me off were reported short battery life, and if memory serves some people seemed to think the tray for the rechargeable battery didn't look as sturdy as one might hope? Computers with these color emitting light displays (rather than LCD) seem to go through batteries faster,

Locator function does sound neat, though.

Richard.

When I was looking this was the top of my list. However a Lynx owner PM'd me letting me know about the battery tray. Also because the batteries are very specialised getting replacements looked to be a PITA. Even the rechargeable batteries needed new O rings so I'd have needed a whole bunch. In the end the disadvantages for me far out weight the advantages and I went with the EON - which is universally hated on SB because it has AI cost the same as a Lynx and is not made by Shearwater

 

[rsingleton]

DivingDubai - yes my perceptions as well. I have read many of your 'defenses' on the eon. Lol


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[Erik N]

I dive a Lynx on gauge for tec with a petrel primary.

For recreational, I dive the Lynx with aiIn both cases, I'm very happy with it.

the battery life is a bit short and it doesn't run on an aa like the petrel so I got the rechargeable kit which means I open it more frequently to charge, but it came with plenty spare o rings and I keep the non rechargeable as a backup. The battery tray does seem flimsy, but I've had no problems with it, but I'm very careful to prevent this.

Great recreational computer and it grows with you as it has a non lockout gauge mode with a clear display for tec. I specifically bought it for its display to run in gauge mode for tec, as I got sick of having to use my light to see depth/time, and decided on this over another petrel for the ai for recreational. If I had to choose between the 2, I'd buy another petrel hands down, but the Lynx is by far my second favorite, with no contest over the eon. I dislike the algorithm on the suuntos as well, and have seen people get significantly shorter bottom time after repetitive dives. The lockout is also a no go for me, especially if I want to do a rec dive after a tech one, I can switch the Lynx back into dive mode from gauge and dive my petrel for ndl with Lynx for ai (what I do on rec dives anyway, Lynx is backup for ndl)

edit: sorry for the block of text, I tried to brake it up but it posted as a block... Fixed

 

[rsingleton]

I dive a Lynx on gauge for tec with a petrel primary.For recreational, I dive the Lynx with aiIn both cases, I'm very happy with it.the battery life is a bit short and it doesn't run on an aa like the petrel so I got the rechargeable kit which means I open it more frequently to charge, but it came with plenty spare o rings and I keep the non rechargeable as a backup. The battery tray does seem flimsy, but I've had no problems with it, but I'm very careful to prevent this.Great recreational computer and it grows with you as it has a non lockout gauge mode with a clear display for tec. I specifically bought it for its display to run in gauge mode for tec, as I got sick of having to use my light to see depth/time, and decided on this over another petrel for the ai for recreational. If I had to choose between the 2, I'd buy another petrel hands down, but the Lynx is by far my second favorite, with no contest over the eon. I dislike the algorithm on the suuntos as well, and have seen people get significantly shorter bottom time after repetitive dives. The lockout is also a no go for me, especially if I want to do a rec dive after a tech one, I can switch the Lynx back into dive mode from gauge and dive my petrel for ndl with Lynx for ai (what I do on rec dives anyway, Lynx is backup for ndl)

Thanks Erik. I really wanted to go Petrel, but I kinda really like the convenience of AI. Not that I need it and I can always but a short gauge on tank, but I just like having it on my wrist to glance at. That's the only thing keeping me from a Petrel.. I don't do any Tec at the moment, but plan to start getting into it. I have a A300 CS but I don't like that at all. So Just looking for something to step up to. A300 as short battery life too. Albeit I can get about 30 hours of dives on it so sounds kinda similar. I keep spares with me so I just pop another in. If i were into spending for 2 DC I would probably consider your same setup to have Petrel with a second AI.