Lynx R-1
| Lynx R-1 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | Standalone MR |
| Platform | Android (OpenXR) |
| Developer | Lynx Mixed Reality |
| Manufacturer | Compal |
| Announcement Date | February 3, 2020 |
| Release Date | November 2022 (backers) / 2023 (retail) |
| Price | $849 USD |
| Website | https://www.lynx-r.com/ |
| System | |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128GB + microSD (1TB max) |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD (dual) |
| Resolution | 1600x1600 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 90° (circular) |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Passthrough | Full-color RGB cameras |
| Tracking | |
| Hand Tracking | Ultraleap |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Stereo speakers + dual microphones |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
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The Lynx R-1 is a standalone mixed reality head-mounted display developed by French startup Lynx Mixed Reality, announced February 3, 2020 and released November 2022 (Kickstarter) / 2023 (retail) at $849. The first standalone headset designed from the ground up for both VR and AR, featuring unique 4-fold catadioptric freeform prism optics, 1600x1600 per eye LCD, Snapdragon XR2, full-color passthrough, Ultraleap hand tracking, flip-up visor design, and open periphery with rear-mounted battery.
History and Development
Lynx Mixed Reality announced the R-1 on February 3, 2020, launching a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $800,000. Following pandemic-related supply chain delays, production began at Compal in mid-2023. The first certified retail units shipped to Kickstarter backers on November 18, 2022, with general availability in 2023. The R-1 distinguishes itself with unique catadioptric optics enabling a compact MR-first design.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
LCD with unique optics:
- 1600x1600 per eye resolution
- Dual LCD displays
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 90° circular FOV
Optics
Catadioptric innovation:
- 4-fold catadioptric freeform prisms
- Compact design
- No Fresnel lenses
- Unique optical path
Processing
- Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1
- 6GB RAM
- 128GB storage
- microSD expansion (1TB max)
Cameras
6-camera system:
- 2 B&W (6DoF tracking)
- 2 IR (hand tracking)
- 2 RGB (color passthrough)
- Mixed reality capability
Passthrough
- Full-color RGB
- Video see-through AR
- Real-world overlay
- MR experiences
Hand Tracking
- Ultraleap technology
- Primary input method
- Controller-optional
- Gesture interaction
Audio
- Stereo speakers
- Dual microphones
- 3.5mm TRRS jack
- Bluetooth headphone support
Design
Unique features:
- Open periphery
- Flip-up visor
- Rear-mounted battery
- Balanced weight
- Quest Pro-like ergonomics
Battery
- ~2-3 hours runtime
- Rear-mounted pack
- Weight balance
Software
Platform
- Android-based
- OpenXR support
- Both VR and AR apps
- Developer-friendly
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1600x1600 LCD x2 |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| FOV | 90° (circular) |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB + microSD |
| Cameras | 6 (tracking + hand + RGB) |
| Hand Tracking | Ultraleap |
| Battery | ~2-3 hours |
| Price | $849 |
Reception
Praise:
- First true standalone MR
- VR and AR combined
- Unique optics compact
- Full-color passthrough
- Ultraleap hand tracking
- Flip-up visor practical
- OpenXR support
- $849 reasonable for MR
- Independent startup innovation
Criticism:
- 1600x1600 moderate resolution
- 90° FOV narrow
- Delays hurt momentum
- Small app ecosystem
- Quest 3 competition
- Limited availability
- Startup support concerns
- Controllers sold separately[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Lynx Mixed Reality". Lynx Mixed Reality. https://www.lynx-r.com/.
- ↑ "Lynx R1 Mixed Reality Headset". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/lynx-r1-mixed-reality-headset-finally/.