Atari Lynx | LCD Upgrade (Mcwill Mod)

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●Links
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● Description
Following our Lynx restoration series it's time to take it one step further, addressing the systems biggest weakness the passive matrix display.
● Music
End of Summer - The 126ers
Strange Stuff - Matt Harris
Sunburned Salvation - The 129ers
We can hear you - The 129ers
RMC Outro - SonOfHelios.com
● Notes & Corrections
This is not an instructional video for installation. Due to the editing a cable is not present from the brightness dial to the Mcwill screen. This cable was fitted to enable the scan lines to function.
If you're looking for a very in depth step by step installation guide I recommend: • How to install a McWil...

[@Monkey_SK]

What a fantastic upgrade, would love to see more of these. What other systems could have had a minor flaw fixed to really unleash their potential.

[@ModernVintageGamer]

fantastic! . to be honest i'm a big fan of keeping things stock but you won me over here! excellent mod and video as always! cheers!

[@RMCRetro]

I'm right there with you but decided to make an exception. I did hold off cutting a hole in the case for the VGA port though, I'd like to somehow hide a flat cable for that in the battery compartment if possible.

[@Liofa73]

Like all those "stock" Amiga CF card hard drives eh MVG? *wink* ;)

[@ModernVintageGamer]

haha i knew someone would mention this - with CF cards you can revert back to original. With a screen transplant its difficult/impossible :)

[@MrSEA-ok2ll]

I like to keep things stock as well, so I will keep my less banged up Lynx untouched and will try the LCD mod on the fully functional, but less worn out unit...cheers.

[@amnril]

I have a Lynx 1 with the McWills mod and brilliant it is too however I’ve just picked up a new/old stock (and immaculate) Lynx 1 and am tempted to swap the innards with the McWills machine thus making a brand new looking McWills installed Lynx 1.... sadly this would mean placing a never used lynx1 PCB and screen in an old case.... dilemma indeed!

[@nathanlopes1327]

This is easily one of the best videos I've ever watched about the Lynx. The series about it is awesome

[@RMCRetro]

Very kind thank you Nathan I've really enjoyed making this one

[@philscomputerlab]

What a difference! Well worth it.

[@sophieleroy8205]

It's great that there are people dedicated enough to make unusual mods like this. It could not have been easy!

[@krankymann]

as someone who stared at a Lynx screen for hundreds of hours back in the 90's this mod has been a revelation. I can't wait to upgrade one or both of my Lynx. I've seen another video of the mod before and RMC you've done the screen proud. I've always preferred the model one as well so I imagine it will get the treatment first.

[@DubiousEngineering]

Blown away!! Lovely new screen!! Cracking video!!

[@subcon959]

I recently did this with a Sega Nomad and had the same gob-smacked reaction when it first powered on. It's almost like replicating the original feeling from all those years ago when the original hardware felt so impressive at the time.

[@gsxracer1977]

How did you that? i have a nomad too and want to make this MODscreen. I already did the GG mcwill MOD and its awesome

[@MK-qo1rz]

Bet that improves the battery life... had my Game Gears back light converted to led by a guy on ebay big difference for me.

[@TheRealMentat001]

Wow! The difference is night and day. That screen really makes this system shine. Great work, surface mounting jumper wires always scares the crap out of me. What really warms my heart is the fact there still people in the world making products, mods, upgrades, and parts for these old systems.

[@RMCRetro]

Mentat001 there are such great communities and talented people making these niche products out of passion, it's a great time to enjoy retro systems. My biggest fear was waving the soldering iron about on to the new screen or its ribbon cable.

[@koolaidbomber]

I love this upgrade!! Lynx was one my favorite handheld, but was trying too much for its time. So happy its getting another life. Thanks for showing this!

[@presterjohn71]

What a world we live in. I have just paused a brand new episode of the Grand Tour to watch this! Think of the difference in the budgets and yet you still won them out.

[@RMCRetro]

presterjohn71 possibly the best Lynx mod.....in the woooorld. (Take that Clarkson).

[@morph-x7153]

I've seen the McWill mod before but the way you present it is excellent. I picked up a 98% mint Lynx I, except the screen has a couple of horizontal lines. I absolutely love the Lynx (actually prefer the model I over the model II), it's so incredibly comfortable to hold and it has this charm about its bulky design. I guess i'll be going for the McWill upgrade as well... Thank you for this fantastic video!

[@GenXGrownUp]

Everyone on the GenXGrownUp crew loves your content, as this Lynx series is no exception. Writing, pacing, editing -- all parts of your production I wish more creators would emulate. Thanks for another video and we look forward to many more.

[@wimwiddershins]

I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my original LYNX I've had since back in the day. That first boot is really something special, there's detail I'd never noticed before in all my games. Brilliant!

[@darrenjkendall]

Great Mod! Brilliant soldering work, i just wouldn't have had the patience, well done, i really like these "getting involved" types of vids. Keep up the good work RMC.

[@RMCRetro]

Darren Kendall thank you Darren! My rule is as soon as I get impatient I down tools and come back later or the next day. These devices have waited 25 years, they can wait another day for a good job.

[@RMCRetro]

Thank you as always for watching, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on the upgrade as well as your Lynx memories. Please note that this is designed to give you an idea of the installation method and the result you can expect, but it's not an instructional installation video, there's a very in-depth 45 minute installation guide here which I recommend here as a primer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ21e5pjr7-Nhc0

[@thecaptain2281]

Brilliant, pun intended! Very nice. Infinitely better. How's the battery life now? I'd imagine it's almost 4 or 5 times longer.

[@chedarmentosbrown5922]

I never got to play with one. I'm gonna keep my eye out for one.

[@philrod1]

I've never had a lynx, but it a similar mod was available for the PSP, I'd jump at it. I've already done a drop-in screen replacement, but the new one is just as awful as the original.

[@brotherjuggernaut7299]

Hey how does the screen impact the battery life? Seems like a modern LCD wouldn't use near as much power, not to mention removing the backlight

[@Larry]

First time I saw a Lynx LCD screen, I thought water had got in on the screen to cause those lines! (happened to a CRT TV I had years ago)

LOL, with 25k volts going through the crt, you were lucky not to get a jolt up your jacksee!

[@DragonboxDeED]

Haha, it's a small world after all! I think I've watched all your videos so far WHILE modifying Lynx's and GameGears for my customers :)

[@wrestletube1]

You need to make full sized gaming tvs on that tech man. You got everything right having transparent light red green blues on the grey colours of the LCD screen just like if you were to look close up to a CRT and dark RGB's on the following line with a dark black backing and from a distance it looks just dark grey and you can't see the transparent scanlines at all. Then you had an option on there you turn horizontals on to make the square pixels dots like a real CRT and original Lynx LCD. We need that on a full sized gaming LCD and you'll make lots of customers on that 4K TV product I think as it would be like playing PS4/X-Box One on a CRT like you could on PS3/360 still but with the LCD tech. 4K UHD gaming on a CRT like dark grey and dark black with transparent RGB darks and lights blended into them striped glass screen made out of the latest UHD QLED tech with a horizonal fine scanlines button where the fully transparent picture scanlines are the same size as the stiped vertical scanlines that would be a beast of a gaming TV the Dragon Box 1 would and with each new screen tech and 10k or whatever the future holds that comes out you can remake and improve it and make the older ones cheaper. It's always a risk to go full sized and more expensive on the screens but a lot of people out of the ones that can afford the tech that are gamers would get one I think especially if it supports 50/60hz inputs properly like a game mode on a good non El Cheapo LCD TV but more affordable as it's made for the purpose with Analouge RF being changed to old microcomputer or atari game mode as those are the only things RF is useful for now other than the Digital TV as it's not made for Analouge TV anymore but it should still be a mode as a gaming TV. This is probably the best replacement screen tech out there for Gameboy Dot Matrix Green, Color, GBA, Gamegear, Lynx and whatever else you would make them for in the future and a TV for gaming might just be the latest upsample idea out there for them.

[@JohnLee-eq1ck]

Wow, that is really a great improvement. Might have to do it to my Lynx. Still have mine from when it first came out and keep it in a padded Lynx case with all the cartridges I got for it way back then.

[@PlayerOneStart]

Wow, can't argue with those results. I must learn how to solder/de-solder that stuff to upgrade mine with the time comes. Thanks for this video!

[@wanace]

3 people work for passive matrix lcd companies. Great video! Keep it coming.

[@keeleye7225]

the shot at the end of the fully assembled Lynx with the upgraded screen is gorgeous.

[@GlensRetroShow]

Thank you very much 4 linking to my installation video I really appreciate it :-) I also have a separate installation video for the Atari Lynx model II Glen's Retro Show

[@RMCRetro]

+Glen Planamento my pleasure Glen, you have quite the Atari Flashback collection!

[@GlensRetroShow]

RetroManCave thank you very much. I do try to find good deals and hop on them....if you look at my newer videos that and other collections have also grown 🤗. I again thank you and enjoy your channel very much. ..

[@Bl00pie]

Wow, that's definitely a huuuuge improvement! Looks so much better and now you can actually SEE what's on the screen! :)

[@Jef_Vermassen]

Awesome result, wish I had that back in the days. Slime world looked great with it!

[@MorpheusXTRM201]

Great modification to the Lynx. If you haven't decided on adding the video output; I would recommend using either a mini-HDMI connection to keep it clean and hidden, and as a plus you can use it on modern capture cards that support HDMI. Even on modern LCD TVs and monitors.

[@MrSEA-ok2ll]

I have the LCD replacement screen and will change it soon, but it still amazes me pertaining to the tech of the day. Such an amazing example is simply the Fluorescent backlight they used...simply wow. I have been waiting for this improvement for several years...it's a complete eye opener for both Gamegear and Lynx owners.

[@fortnitegod2647]

Good vid there it's a little fiddly to fit but the rewards speak for themselves. You just need time and patience to do the mod, anyone can do it looks like a good set of instructions is included in the kit. Well done RMC nailed it again....😁

[@Snowmation]

This is a night and day difference. Worth the time and effort to do the upgrade for sure!

[@spidereyes6290]

What a great mod. I only ever had a Gameboy as a handheld, a friend had the Lynx and it used to eat batteries :-D It's really nice to see people still developing so many mods and additional peripherals for all the retro systems.

[@Zerbey]

I loved the Lynx and if I ever get one I'd love to do this mod, but it sure looks like a good afternoon's work. Time to practise my soldering skills!

[@10p6]

Nice video. It is interesting that back in 1989 when this was released, it would have been possible to make an LED back-light that was brighter and used much less power as white LED's were available and by around 1990 were much more affordable. Why Atari and other manufactures didn't do this, hmmm

[@electricturbodata9368]

Thanks for the great Lynx videos! I also felt the McWill screen made the Lynx 'how it always should've been', it's completely amazing. On the other hand the old Lynx screens are not as bad as they're portraided in some youtube videos (if they're still in ok condition). After playing for five minutes on the old style screens you've already somewhat forgot about the screen :)

[@RMCRetro]

Electric Turbodata I agree with you in the most part but Shadow of the Beast was the killer for me. Cali Games and Slime World were playable but SOTB was rendered impossible. Of course designers should factor the screen into their games so it's not entirely the fault of the Lynx

[@electricturbodata9368]

I just realised I got a Lynx II back in the day and I've been using mostly model II over the years and the screen on those is a bit better and they also seem to age better, so that could be one reason as well. You probably wont believe me but I've beaten SotB on my original Lynx (II) some 10+ years ago, haha! But I do feel a bit nauseous when thinking about playing it through again, even with the McWill screen ;D

[@marklechman2225]

Thanks for the heads up on Dragonbox, I’m always on the lookout on for great retro sites!

[@red2lucas]

YES! So glad you did this. Enjoy mate, it looks incredible.

[@chrismifsud7154]

I just sent my Lynx 1 to Mcwill for the LCD mod last week, can't wait for it to arrive. I have already had my Sega Game Gear done with this mod and it is amazing.

[@RMCRetro]

Awesome, while it was good to make the video and see what was involved, sending it off would have been a lot easier! You'll love it

[@chrismifsud7154]

RetroManCave thanks. Yes I sent it because it is beyond my capability to install it myself. Awesome video by the way.

[@Septer_Sever]

I'm looking into a McWill mod for the Sega Game Gear. Was going to settle on a NIntndo DSi backlight mod, but I think you might have sold me. You made it look much easier to nstall, with you smooth editing and calming voice over.

[@GadgetUK164]

Fantastic =D These new screens are just awesome! Worth getting a Lynx SD Flash Cart from Retro HQ if you haven't already ordered one!

[@RMCRetro]

+GadgetUK164 - Retro Gaming Repairs & Mods I'd like to get one although I do love these game cards. Just wish more were boxed

[@refractionpcsx2]

Looks great! I think the only drawback of having a new screen is it really brings out the jagged edges of the picture which wasn't so obvious on the original screen. That said I could live with that for the vastly improved picture quality!

[@RMCRetro]

That's true, the scan line option certainly helps a lot with that

[@refractionpcsx2]

It certainly helps for sure, but I think the crapness of the original screen hid the remainder :)

[@chrismifsud7154]

Nice work. Have 3 Lynx's (2 Lynx 1 and 1 Lynx II) and I had McWill do the mod for me as its beyond my skills. He also did a Sega Game Gear for me too.

[@roberthickman4092]

For the rotating sign I think the original screen looks better while the replacement, the discrete steps of the rotation are more obvious, the inaccuracy smooths things out.

[@RMCRetro]

I guess it's a bit like CRT vs LCD. A CRT naturally hides aliasing and blends colours, a technique used to great effect on 8 bit micros to increase the colour pallette. An LCD shows the pixels exactly as they are. The old Lynx screen blurs and blends as a result of it's display method which you're seeing. Ultimately I'll take the brighter new screen though.

[@superamario6464]

Just came across your channel and I am really enjoying your content. Very inspiring although I'd never attempt half your restorations. The most I've done are shell replscements

[@RMCRetro]

Thanks Amaroquai I'm glad you're enjoying the content 🖒

[@snesfan8935]

Lynx's screen with scanlines looks great!

[@anthonyellis5879]

Wow that's a huge difference, well done as it didn't look easy. All about patience, checking, double checking and I like to throw another check in because, well....things can go wrong. Good Job!! oh and you do realise I now have to get a lynx and do this mod.....grrrr :-)

[@JahnoKestt]

This is a great mod, glad you did it! I have a Sega Nomad and the screen on that, although not as bad as the Lynx, isn't very good for fast paced games. (I.e. Sonic.) Thankfully there's a solution for that as new screens which don't show ghosting are relatively cheap, and the fix not too difficult to do. If you ever pick up a Nomad, I'd love to see you tackle the screen change!

[@AdiSneakerFreak]

My goodness what a pain to swap, but what a difference ... amazing Amiga in your pocket !!!

[@bugbloke1975]

Looks bloody great!! What a transformation!! 😎👍

[@bag2430]

good snapshot of what seems a pretty in depth but worthwhile mod. makes me want to bust out the storage boxes.

[@Contempl8Tech]

I grew up playing the Atari Lynx v2 on road trips with my family. It's had a special place in my memory ever since and I now own multiple including the ones I grew up with. Still don't know how to play the half pipe game in California games though lol.

[@AmyGrrl78]

Woah! This makes me wish I still had my Lynx just so I could do this mod! Love the improvement!

[@skylined5534]

I have a Lynx II still in the loft somewhere...totally going to do this!

[@paulb4uk]

Looks so much nicer with the new screen i have had a mk1 and mk2 lynx in the past always loved them just a shame they were so expensive new .

[@wimwiddershins]

Superb! Im very tempted to do this on my original Lynx which now has a faulty screen.

[@MrButtonpresser]

The original vision catches up with contemporary tech. Nice.

[@RMCRetro]

+MrButtonpresser eloquently put sir

[@anomn_feck3387]

way to make something simple, beautiful, nice upgrade!

[@micktaylor9332]

My biggest gripe with the lynx was the screen. That new screen looks amazing.👍👍

[@WIDERisBETTER]

Wow what a night and day difference on the Lynx!

[@ViperKillerWannabe]

I'm glad to see you did this. Thank you!

[@omikronweapon]

I always wanted a Lynx as a kid. Never got one. Looking around, they're too expensive to buy simply to relive playing Scrapyard Dog and Cali Games on my cousin's Lynx. If I were to buy one though, I might have attempted this mod. Good on ya for making this video.

[@Bloxed]

Cool backlight! Gonna get into this console more and what a great mod to use! =)

[@SilverSoldierCS]

What an awesome upgrade.. I need this for my Lynx 1. :D

[@ToddsNerdCave]

Fantastic video! I really dig that PCB holder/clamp device you have. Looks very handy.

[@RMCRetro]

Thank you from one cave to another. I'd like to find a slightly bigger one, it's great for handhelds but I'd like a nice sturdy holder for micros.

[@thecaptain2281]

They can be found at most quality electronics shops and Amazon/ebay.

[@ZaPpaul]

That is truly amazing. I may have to try this at some point. Thanks for sharing!

[@TezzAtari]

Whilst the screen protector is good for preventing scratches during installation, I'd also recommend covering the new screen with a piece of card whilst soldering just to be 100% safe. It only takes one wrong move with the iron itself or from stray solder to damage the panel.

[@RMCRetro]

+TezzAtari good tip. If you check the video description there's a link to a very detailed installation guide. He uses a post it note to protect from flying solder

[@ILOVESTARK]

That looks fantastic!

[@PaulMillard1973]

I still have my Atari Lynx II and when I heard that the screen could be upgraded, I had to see what was involved. I don't think it's something that I would attempt myself after seeing your video, but I would really like to have it upgraded. Thanks for showing a great video though. The difference is just astonishing.

[@omikronweapon]

Probably anyone with some decent soldering experience can do this for you. Might be worth asking around amongst your friends.

[@christopherdueck3680]

If you're still interested, check out Bennvenn's Lynx 2 LCD kit. Solderless basic install. Use the supplied ribbon to connect the driver board to the motherboard, solder one optional wire if you want scanlines, and then you're good to go.

[@ImTheKingOfHyrule]

I have the Sega Game Gear version of this mod and I installed it myself. It was worth every penny! If and when I get a Lynx I will gladly do it again.

[@martinmayhemsretrorundown]

Cheers. Great mod.

[@10p6]

Not sure how this video hid from me for two years, but nice video though. I am still waiting to install my screen which has been sat in a box, well for many years now. There is a reason for that which I will share one day :-)

[@sweardesigns]

A very very enjoyable Lynx mod review, lynx 1 was the best looking, looks like I'll have to get mines done too.

[@Rip-Van-Tinkle]

Wow, what a difference! It's like having a new machine.

[@wolvenar]

Thank you for this series

[@RMCRetro]

Thank you for watching!

[@rjnash2610]

Just look at that like/dislike ratio bud! Bet you were well proud with this one man.. wow. Well deserved! Keep 'em coming! :)

[@dad7275]

I'm really considering this upgrade for my Lynx I bought new back in the day. I've had it this long, might as well modernize it.

[@PadreAbraham28]

Well done, looks great

[@i-am-ber]

"Great for books but not for left hooks" 👌

[@RMCRetro]

You know it 🤘

[@Nightshft42]

great video with awesome screen improvement. im proud to leave like 2k.

[@RMCRetro]

SammYLightfooD thanks!

[@MadMorgie6318]

One nice 'advantage' of the older screen, is the blurring looks great with flowing fluid effects, like the waves or the waterfall of slime. Worth all the downsides? Prooobably not.

[@TheWardog1369]

Great mod, looks like it would test my skills on soldering...

[@HalFischer]

Well, if you´ll excuse me - i´ll be off to the Dragonbox, ordering one of those LCD screens ... good thing im one of them cabbage-eaters, so it should be here reasonably fast. Joke aside, your video actually convinced me to swap the old screen of my Lynx for one of those new LCDs. Incredible video, as usual. Funny thing - I had no idea, they were selling those, although I had already bought a Retrode there (one of those SNES and Mega Drive Cardridge readers, neat little thing btw) so, thanks for the point out.

[@RMCRetro]

+HalFischer Great to hear I hope you enjoy it. If you are fitting it yourself there is a link in the description to a very detailed 45 min video on it which is a great help

[@Ohlukei]

The new display is a real must-have for your Lynx! :-)

[@nathantw]

Just an fyi, I saw you installed that jumper to ground and the backlight on the lcd module. The instructions I had didn’t show or say anything about doing that. I didn’t install the wire and the brightness control didn’t add scan lines, which was fine by me.

[@missionpassed4584]

Funny how your memories actually made the original screen look like the new screen, never realised the old was so bad.

[@JohnTannerinDerbyshire]

That vertical scratch on the upper left of the outer screen plastic would drive me crazy! :)

[@TYNEPUNK]

i had a lynx with every accessory , one day when i was a stupid child I fantasised about a pocket tv. So I sold the entire lynx, all games, battery pack and carry case to buy a casio pocket tv. Buyers remorse I tell thee, then ,my mate whacked a football at it ad it broke. Damn I miss my lynx. LOVE THE NEW SCREEN BTW!

[@johnwongtw1]

Nicely done!

[@FrankWoodPhotography]

I absolutely love it when there’s a new Retro Man Cave video! Happy cave dweller here!

[@genericgreensquid6669]

That's a world of difference. wow!

[@hanswurst3811]

awesome new screen !

[@Dkentflyer]

Wow what a difference! Great video :)

[@rich35ukuk]

Very nice that screen makes a big diffence I've never really played a linx they was out when I was younger against the game boy I seen a lynx but never played one

[@corbindavenport]

Great series!

[@RMCRetro]

Corbin Davenport Cheers for watching Corbin and for your support!

[@TheAgradeneu]

There are some trade Offs: I get flickering with transparencies and some "wrong" Colors. Low Frame rates are more visible.

[@Neffers_UK]

Man I wish I still had my Lynx 2 to do this. It was an excellent handheld despite the battery life.

[@petercorr784]

Would love to see a follow up video where the battery life is compared to with an orig screen. Top video 😊

[@RMCRetro]

Peter Corr me too! I'll be running a side by side just as soon as I have another working Lynx, or if someone with one and the same gamea wants to work with me to share some footage

[@Tolomasdruid]

Fantastic video

[@JapanPop]

Star Wars? Nah, I was waiting for this. Retro-delightful indeed.

[@benseac]

Very cool video. I have a broken Lynx that I'd like to get working again and would love to get that screen mod put in. I'm awful at that kind of thing, though.

[@benjaminramsey4695]

Lynx was the best - I have super fond memories of Slime World and many other games!

[@lordmuaddib]

wow, it seems this procedure makes the lynx much lighter too! i bet it's fairly noticeable, right? such a clean job. great vid!

[@dronejunglistplatoon]

Wow! Just wow! 👍🏼

[@wrestletube1]

Yeah of course. As Lynx is known to support backlights in fact the original was an el cheapo backlighted screen of course if you were to make one of GBA backlight standards but make it all Lynx size it would instantly be better results and they did it to that spec and the outcome was great. Do wish it kept the red green blue light and dark transparent lines on the glass though. Thats why LCD TV's haven't been as good for gaming so far they didn't keep the spec of the lights with grey transparent mix and darks with blak transparent mix invisable until you look up close lines on the screen then when your game is on it plays horizontal scanlines into old sets as well which could be emulated making it an LCD TV control to turn the lines into square pixel dots called scanlines. I think there should be a modern 4k Gaming TV to those specs plus with all the game ratios in it no streching 240p to 576p it plays the original but you got manual settings to make it as big as you like too a button to turn on virtual scanlines to coact with your on screen transparent virtical ones. That TV would be awesome and would be a reason to chuck out a CRT for as Game mode would give you lagless 50/60 as well on your 100-400hz 4k TV. The Lynx original screen does have the engraved scanlines this is missing in the glass though as they turn up on camera in one of Steve Benway's Lynx videos so with updated tech and retaining the RGB scanlines would have made it even better and more authentic like an improved original. Edit: I didn't expect that vertical RGB lights and darks scanlines are on each line of the new screen and there is a button to get horizontal working without the old screen tech that they were in as standard on. This is real deal Lynx but cleaner. And with current tech it also probably makes battery life comparable with other battery devices now.