The XXXtra receiver in my Losi car.
The Lynx 3D Transmitter
The Spectra RF module
A Nicad transmitter pack and charger are included... nice.
|
(Click any picture to enlarge it)
The XXXtra receiver in my Losi car.
The Lynx 3D Transmitter
The Spectra RF module
A Nicad transmitter pack and charger are included... nice. |
Hitec Lynx 3D Spectra with Novak XXTra Receiver
(reviewed by Trips)
Introduction
When I first learned of Hitec's Lynx3D Spectra system I was intrigued. The idea of a synthesized radio with no crystals was very appealing. The only downside to the radio was the fact that the receiver still used crystals. When Hitec recently packaged the radio with Novak's XXtra synthesized receiver, I decided it was time to retire my faithful Caliber 3PS. Features
The Lynx3D offers the following features:
The Lynx3D also incorporates a few features you won't find in any other radio. The most obvious is the Spectra module� every channel in the 75mhz band at your fingertips with no crystals. This module coupled with the Novak XXtra receiver is like a dream come true. Have you ever missed out on practice waiting for "your frequency" to become available? With this system, just grab ANY available clip, dial in to that channel, and you're on the track. It's hard to imagine going back to a non-synthesized radio after a few race days with the Spectra. Another feature unique to the Lynx3D is the automatic dual rate mode. Along with the usual style dual rate steering (adjusted with a conveniently located thumb button) there is an automatic mode where the radio switches between two pre-selected rates based on throttle position. Adjustments are available on screen to determine where in the throttle stroke the switch occurs and how much steering rate is available for each portion of the throttle stroke. I have to give Hitec high marks for including a nicad battery pack and wall charger with the radio. One of the very first things I do with any radio is install nicads and find a suitable charger. I don't recall any other surface radio I've owned that included nicads and charger in the box. I'd like to see more companies adopt a policy like this, especially with their high end systems. The manual could use some work. At several points, the manual tells users to wait for the voltage reading to return to the screen after making a setting, or the setting may not be saved. I waited and waited, but the voltage reading never did return. A call to Hitec cleared the matter right up� apparently the way the radio works was changed slightly after the manual was published. An updated manual or an addendum sheet might be a good idea� I'm sure I'm not the only Lynx owner to notice this. At the Track
It's always been my belief that no matter how many features a radio might have, the single most important factor is comfort. I cannot drive effectively unless the transmitter fits me so well that I can simply forget about its presence and think about driving. I'm happy to report that after a couple of heats with the Lunx3D I'm perfectly comfortable with it on the driver's stand. The only other radio that I can make the same claim for is the Airtronics Caliber series. As much as I love the synthesized module and receiver, I'd have given them up in a heartbeat if if I didn't feel at home with the Lynx in my hands. I've put three race days on the radio so far, with out a single glitch. The RF link is as solid as anything I've used. I even made sure to choose channels adjacent to some in use to see if I could "provoke" a glitch, but so far the radio has been absolutely rock-solid. On the stand, the trims and adjustments fall easily to hand, very important if a trim or rate adjustment is needed during the course of a race. I managed to TQ the first two race days out with the Lynx3D, the third race day was so horrible I won't even mention what went on (other than to say the Lynx3D was probably the only thing actually working for me that day. The Verdict
I can heartily recommend the Lynx3D Spectra/Novak XXtra combo to anyone in the market for a high end radio. The only advice I'd give is the same as I would for any radio purchase� spend some time at a shop holding the radio and try to determine before you buy if it will fit you comfortably. If the Lynx3D passes the comfort test for you, I can't imagine it being a disappointment in any way. Is it worth the price? At a street price of slightly over $300, the Lynx3D/Novak XXtra appears to be one of the most expensive systems on the market. If you take into account the fact that the radio comes with nicads and a charger, and that just four crystal sets for most other radios can set you back $100, I believe this system represents a great value.
Trips' Rating
|
