With an LCD replacement mod kit you can transform your Atari Lynx to look and feel like a modern day console. These kits feature contemporary LCD displays with nice and clear graphics and vibrant colours. You no longer have to turn and twist your Lynx to get the best image! The quality in picture compared to the original is like night and day.
There are other mods you can do to your Lynx, see more here - Atari Lynx Hardware Mods.
Below are the details of these LCD mod kits and a summary of their features. To see the comparison in picture quality between the original and a modded LCD screen check out this page - Original Lynx Screen vs Modern LCD Mod Screen.
McWill LCD Mod | BennVenn LCD Mod | |
---|---|---|
Lynx 1 Support | Yes | Yes |
Lynx 2 Support | Yes | Yes |
Lynx 2 C104129-001 Motherboard Support | Yes | Yes |
Requires Removal of Lynx Power Circuit? | Yes, in full | No, only one component to remove |
Built-in Power Circuit Protection [3] | No | Yes |
Improves Lynx Battery Life | No [1] | Yes |
Requires Bracket | No | Yes [2] |
Position Alignment | No | Yes [2] |
Boot Behaviour | Colour Static | White Bloom, then Black Screen |
Requires Soldering | Yes | No, except Lynx Model 1 and Lynx 2 with C104129-001 motherboard |
Pixel Perfect | Yes | Some smoothing |
High Colour Images | No, Flicker/Ripping | Yes |
Brightness Control | No, but can be modified to have it [4] | Yes [5] |
Scan-line Option | Yes | Yes |
Install Time | 1hr+ | 15mins (Lynx Model 2), ~1hr (Lynx Model 1 and C104129-001 Motherboard Model 2) |
VGA Output | Yes | No |
Support Forum | No | Yes (Discord) |
Designed In | Germany | Australia |
Availability | Now | Now |
Price | >$90 (USD) - depends on supplier | $75 (USD) |
[1] - Power draw inefficiencies measured for the Atari Lynx McWill mod
[2] - Using the Atari Gamer bracket with the Benn Venn LCD Mod for Atari Lynx model II
[3] - Lynx's biggest cause of failure is the power supply FET, once the FET dies, it will also fry other components on the Lynx motherboard that cannot be replaced e.g. Mikey/Suzy
[4] - https://console5.com/wiki/File:McWill-PCB_AddingBrightnessControl.jpg
[5] - Controls are reversed compared to the original screen.
Install guide: Atari Lynx repair - Part 5 - McWill LCD screen mod installation
Where to getRev4 | Rev5 | Rev6 | |
---|---|---|---|
Supports Lynx 1 | No | Yes | Yes |
Supports Lynx 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Supports Lynx 2 C104129-001 motherboard revision | No | Yes [1] | Yes [1] |
Requires Soldering | Yes | No [1] | No [1] |
Brightness Controls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Brightness Wheel Support | No | No | Yes [2] |
Scanline Support | Yes [3] | Yes | Yes |
Supports TFT screens | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Supports IPS screens | No | No | No |
Has VGA output | No | No | No |
[1] - Requires soldering for the C104129-001 motherboard revision. Brightness control requires soldering a single wire.
[2] - Controls are reversed compared to the original screen.
[3] - Requires installing an additional touch sensor.
Due to an admin error some of the "revision 6" kits have "rev5" printed on them still. However, if you look at the PCB on the back of the LCD, you will see a row of eight through-holes pins above the C7 capacitor (top left in photo), if six of these are not covered by the ribbon cable, you have a "revision 6" kit.