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---
title: Camputers LYNX
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80A
params:
name: LYNX
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx128_system_s2.jpg
logo: /media/museum/logos/camputers_lynx_logo.gif
company: /companies/camputers
company_name: Camputers
specs:
- label: NAME
value: LYNX
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Camputers
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: United Kingdom
- label: YEAR
value: March 1982
- label: END OF PRODUCTION
value: June 1984
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: Lynx Basic, machine code monitor
- label: KEYBOARD
value: Full-stroke keyboard, 57 keys
- label: CPU
value: Zilog Z80A
- label: SPEED
value: 4 MHz
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: Motorola 6845 (CRT controller)
- label: RAM
value: 48 kb, 96 kb or 128 kb depending on models (max. 192 kb)
- label: ROM
value: 16 kb (48K version), 24 KB (96K and 128K versions)
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 40 x 24, 80 x 24
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: 256 x 248, 512 x 480
- label: COLORS
value: '8'
- label: SOUND
value: one voice beeper
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 32 x 20 x 7 cm / 2 kg
- label: I/O PORTS
value: |-
Serial port, Tape (600 to 2100 baud), RGB video output, TV output (RF modulator), Composite video output & lightpen\
Optional extension box with Parallel and joystick ports
- label: OS
value: CP/M optional
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: External PSU
- label: PERIPHERALS
value: floppy disk unit
- label: PRICE
value: |-
48k : £225 (UK, 82)\
96k : £299 (UK, 82)\
128k : £345 (UK, 82)
tabs:
- photos
- hardware
- software
- emulators
- links
- docs
photos:
- title: 'LYNX RANGE #1'
subtitle: ''
text: Three computers of the Lynx range
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx_3models_s1.jpg
- title: 'LYNX RANGE #2'
subtitle: ''
text: Apart from the Lynx label, the Lynx 48, Lynx 96 and Lynx 128 are exacly alike on the outside.
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx_3models_s2.jpg
- title: LYNX 96
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx96_system_s1.jpg
- title: SIDES VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx128_sides_s1.jpg
- title: REAR CONNECTORS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From left to right:\
• TV UHF video output\
• RGB video output\
• Monochrome composite video output and Light pen input\
• Serial RS232 port\
• Cassette recorder In/Out\
• Expansion port, main ly used by the floppy disk unit\
• Power input from the external PSU
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx128_rearside_s1.jpg
- title: LYNX LABELS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
On top: Kynx 96 label\
On bottom: Lynx 128 label with handwritten serial number.
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx128_labels_s1.jpg
- title: LYNX IN BOX
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to **Nicolas Sapin** for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx-128_inbox.jpg
- title: LYNX IN USE
subtitle: ''
text: The game played here is a PacMan clone called Gobble Spook
image: /media/museum/photos/camputer_lynx-gobbler_1.jpg
- title: LYNX 96'S NEURONS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The Lynx 48 and Lynx 96 share the same main board but with a different RAM and ROM memory layout.
**(1)** Motorola 6845 display controller, in text and graphics modes\
**(2)** Rarely used I/O chip, the Intersil LM64021, compatible with the more common 6821 chipset. Manages almost all of the system ports.\
**(3)** 24 KB BASIC ROMs (3x2764). The Lynx 48 board only has 16 KB of ROM memory (2 IC and an empty socket)\
**(4)** Z80A CPU, here a Sharp version\
**(5)** Keyboard connector\
**(6)** 64 KB RAM chips (8x4164), replaced with 16 KB chips (8x4116) in the Lynx 48\
**(7)** 16 KB expansion card. A third bank of 16 KB is soldered on the main board\
**(8)** Internal connector connected in parallel with the external expansion connector.
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx96_mainboard_s1.jpg
- title: LYNX 128, MORE NEURONS...
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The Lynx 128's mainboard was completely redisigned to afford larger RAM capacity.
**(1)** Three 8 KB EPROM chips hold the same 24 KB BASIC and monitor as the Lynx 96\
**(2)** Zilog Z80A microprocessor\
**(3)** First 64 KB RAM bank (8x4164 chips)\
**(4)** Same 6845 video controller as the 48 & 96 versions\
**(5)** Second 64 KB RAM bank\
**(6)** Provision is made for a third 64 KB RAM bank.
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx128_mainboard_s1.jpg
- title: ENGLISH & FRENCH MANUALS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx_manuals_s1.jpg
- title: OTHER ENGLISH MANUALS
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to **Nicolas Sapin** for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx-128_manuals.jpg
- title: LYNX DOS MANUALS
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to **Nicolas Sapin** for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx-128_dosmanuals.jpg
- title: OEIL DE LYNX N°1
subtitle: ''
text: |-
"Oeil de Lynx" was the french magazine dedicated to the Lynx.
Thanks to **Nicolas Sapin** for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/camputers_lynx_oeildelynx.jpg
- title: THE MAN BEHIND THE LYNX
subtitle: ''
text: |-
After leaving Cambridge university, **John Shirref** starts building inflatable and portable structures. Then he plays drums with several rock'n'roll bands and starts to be interested in electronics. He is however still going on with his musician and sound engineer career, before he creates the Lynx.
Finaly, after the Lynx adventure, he would goes back to electronic music research...
image: /media/museum/photos/lynx_48_shireff_1.jpg
hardware:
- title: FLOPPY DISK UNIT
subtitle: ''
text: The case contains the disk drive and its PSU but not the FDD interface wich is connected to the expansion connector of the computer.
image: /media/museum/hardware/camputers_lynx_fdunit_s1.jpg
- title: BOXED
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to **Nicolas Sapin** for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/camputers_lynx-128_disk-drive_box.jpg
- title: PARALLEL PRINTER INTERFACE & DISK INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to **Nicolas Sapin** for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/camputers_lynx-128_parallel-and-disk.jpg
- title: PRINTER INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: This interface was delivered with a standard Parallel printer cable
image: /media/museum/hardware/camputers_lynx_printerinterf_s1.jpg
- title: SERIAL PRINTER PACK
subtitle: ''
text: This pack was comprised of a serial cable and a printer driver in a cassette tape.
image: /media/museum/hardware/camputers_lynx_serialpack_s1.jpg
- title: JOYSTICK INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: This interface was connected to the Lynx's expansion connector and allowed two standard joysticks to be connected.
image: /media/museum/hardware/camputers_lynx_joyinterf_s1.jpg
screenshots:
- title: LYNX GAMES
subtitle: ''
text: Some Lynx games published in the UK by Camsoft
image: /media/museum/software/camputers_lynx48_softboxes_s1.jpg
emulators:
- title: CamLynx
url: http://www.emu-france.com/?page=fichiers&idMachine=93
platform: MS DOS
text: Emulator made by Paul Robson in 2000
- title: PALE
url: http://heraclion.users.btopenworld.com/palelynx.htm
platform: Windows
text: Basic 48k Emulation with tape support
links:
- title: Camputers Lynx Info
url: http://www.camputerslynx.info/
text: Website dedicated to the preservation of all things Camputers Lynx related
- title: Futurman's Camputers Lynx 128k Site
url: http://futurman.club.fr/flhp/lynx/index.htm
text: French website with some info
- title: PALE Lynx emulator
url: http://heraclion.users.btopenworld.com/palelynx.htm
text: Lynx emulator website
docs:
- title: USER MANUAL
url: http://www.camputerslynx.info/technical.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/camputers_lynx_user-manual_1.jpg
text: |-
[**USER MANUAL**](http://www.camputerslynx.info/technical.html)written by Sue Jansons
 compiled/archived by John Roberts\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [www.camputerslynx.info](http://www.camputerslynx.info/)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
- title: MANUEL D'UTILISATION (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://memo5.dyndns.org/Manuels/Ordinateurs/Camputers/
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/camputers_lynx_manuel-d-utilisation_1.jpg
text: |-
[**MANUEL D'UTILISATION (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://memo5.dyndns.org/Manuels/Ordinateurs/Camputers/)written by Camputers / Golem
 compiled/archived by El Bimbo\
 type of document : DOC\
 source : [Memo5.net](http://www.memo5.net)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
- title: EXTRACT FROM LYNX 128 KB MANUAL
url: http://www.camputerslynx.info/technical.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif
text: |-
[**EXTRACT FROM LYNX 128 KB MANUAL**](http://www.camputerslynx.info/technical.html)\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [www.camputerslynx.info](http://www.camputerslynx.info/)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
- title: LYNX DOS MANUAL
url: http://www.camputerslynx.info/technical.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/camputers_lynx_dos-manual.jpg
text: |-
[**LYNX DOS MANUAL**](http://www.camputerslynx.info/technical.html)written by Camputers Ltd
 compiled/archived by Russell Davis\
 type of document : ZIP\
 source : [www.camputerslynx.info](http://www.camputerslynx.info/)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
comments:
- author: Lin (UK)
date: Tuesday 22nd February 2022
text: We had one of the first Lynx computers. My brother and father sneaked off to the NEC (without telling me) and attended one of the first ''Computer Shows'' in the UK open to the public. They spent the day (supposedly) bench testing various offerings before settling on a Camputers Lynx. Our parents had decided that a home computer would be a good investment and I was hoping that they would decided to get a ''Spectrum''! Both my brother and Dad argued that the demand for one would be huge and even then supply issues abounded,so the purchase of a Lynx was decided. They returned home that evening full of themselves, and much to my annoyance at where they had been without me, announced what they had decided over the tea table. The machine was promised for delivery in short order....... From memory I think it took Camputers at least 4 months after the specified date to get the machine to us - on its arrival my brother was delighted - I on the other hand pointed out the total lack of software
support for it, and that the majority of computer publications at the time pretty much ignored it too! We only every had one game for it, based on ''Star Trek'', it was actually pretty good, but had a stupid timer mechanism which meant you could only play the game for about 20 mins before it simply restarted! TBH I couldn''t be bothered with it, primarily because my school didn''t even have a technology department or anybody on the staff who was interested in computers enough to engage with pupils. I think my Dad ended up with about half a dozen of them and various extra''s like a bloody great monitor. The whole lot eventually went to the recycling tip, along with a BBC Model B etc.
- author: Colin Baxter (New Zealand)
date: Wednesday 20th April 2011
text: |-
Wow, I''m speechless.\
I owned a Lynx, my first computer.\
In fact I loved it so much I went on to do a degree in IT and have a 30 year (and hopefully more) career in IT.\
I used to live in Bradford and I wanted a TR-80 or a Spectrum but I bought a Lynx and I was delighted.\
It''s like reading about your first girlfriend, except she didn''t go on to marry your best mate, she died and went to computer haven.
- author: Petter Lenge (Norway)
date: Friday 12th September 2008
text: |-
I was one of the founders of the Norwegian Lynx User Group.\
We had a few members around the country and released a handfull of user magazines before Camputers went down.\
I still have some copies of the magazines.\
We also modified the ROM with some special functions which were added to the interpreter and also we put in Norwegian national letters on spare space in the character table in ROM.\
I also had to build my own floppy controller from scratch as it was impossible to get a controller at the last days of the Camputers. I hardcopied a friends controllerboard by beeping track by track.\
I managed to get the new board work in my first attempt and were pretty proud of myself on that time.\
I got a Lynx 96 and Lynx 128 w/ CPM/M today.
- author: Graeme Mawson (Cambridge (UK))
date: Wednesday 22nd October 2003
text: Oh happy days. We (myself and a friend) had a shed load of these at one time I think they all ended up in a skip! :-( we wrote a word processor that sat in the third eprom slot, an assembler and a dissasembler. We also finished off the CPM and had it running a treat We used to sell the Computers, hardware and our software through Pheonix software in Manchester. Although the basic graphic system was slow by using assembly routines it could be sped up significantly. also using the alternate graphics page ment you could prepare the display in the back ground and then simply switch banks for an even faster appearance. I still have much software on disk and many LUG magazines, and I would love to be able to get hold of a Lynx now for nostalgia.
- author: russell davis (Currently USA)
date: Sunday 18th August 2002
text: well i had a couple of lynx's and loved it. i was involved with the user group (the original LUG :) ) and a few abortive attempts to improve it. unfortunatly before I left the UK I gavemine that had the sideways rom stuff and the reading user group scorpion rom away to a friend. but i really miss it. if anyone has the manuals for it and can scan them in for me and take a proper rom dump (you can tell it's good as the word DAVIS occurs in the first few bytes of the rom. i believe the rom programmer Davis Jansen put it there and I believe the name SuZy is in the first few hundred bytes IIRC) so i can write an emulator. i have a few of the other technical stuff but really need the manuals to read as my memory is a little fuzzy.
- author: Jean-Marie Rougeaux (France)
date: Sunday 23rd August 2020
text: |-
Bonjour\
Je suis à la recherche de jaquettes de jeux ou d''utilitaires du Lynx pour compléter ma documentation.\
Je possède le schéma du Lynx et nombreux logiciels.\
Je recherche également la partie 3 du logiciel Backgammon. Je possède les deux autres parties.\
Merci et salutations.
- author: Gordon (Britain)
date: Friday 22nd February 2019
text: |-
Hi.
Did they ever Make a Service manual ?
If so Does anyone know where I can download a Camputers Lynx Service Manual ?
- author: Anatole Beams (London)
date: Saturday 25th January 2014
text: |-
I have a Lynx 48k if anyone is interested. It was fully working last time I switched it on. I''ll have to drag it out and hook it up to a telly to check it, but it has been stored away nice and dry.
If anyone wants it, let me know and I''ll stick it on eBay.\
anatolebeams@abdm.co.uk
- author: Frank Rasmussen (Denmark)
date: Friday 12th October 2012
text: |-
Hi Mark Baxter and Peter Norman, look at my homepage - it''s on its way to be a LYNX website, containing all information about the Lynx''es
I got a lot of schematics - also for "add on" hardware.
Regards\
Frank
- author: Peter Todd (UK)
date: Tuesday 9th October 2012
text: |-
I have updated the emulator significantly over the last few years.
The current (as in released on the website) Win32 (VC++ and VB) version is 8.12
Running on 2000,XP upwards or under WINE
There are also now running versions for:
DOS 32 Bit under the DOS4GW extender\
Win32 SDL + FLTK\
Linux SDL + FLTK\
Raspberry Pi SDL\
An unfinished source for a PIC 18F + Parallax Propeller combo
These will shortly be released on my website.
I''m still on the lookout for more software written for the system.
Best Regards to all
Pete
Pale - http://heraclion.co.uk/palelynx.htm
- author: Frank Rasmussen (Denmark)
date: Saturday 8th September 2012
text: |-
If anyone need some information, manual, schematics or anything else about the Camputers LYNX, then write me an email frank@elborg.dk or look at my webpage www.elborg.dk , If I dont have the information You need then I will try to get it and provide You with the info.
/Frank
- author: Mark Baxter
date: Saturday 21st July 2012
text: Can anyone point me at LYNX websites.. I don''t seem able to find any when I do a google search.. I need technical documents and stuff !!
- author: Peter Norman (England)
date: Saturday 21st July 2012
text: 'Does any one know where I can download LYNX documents : User Manuals, Schematics, Service Manuals etc.. As these are extremely hard to find now.'
- author: Bad Robot (England)
date: Tuesday 17th July 2012
text: |-
Does anyone know where you can download LYNX technical documents, Service Manuals etc.
Or any LYNX archives containing any LYNX documents.
Please post message pointing to website.
- author: George P (Greece)
date: Thursday 24th November 2011
text: A Lynx 96 was my first computer. I was so impressed by it that I followed an entire career in IT. It didn''t have many games like the other micro-computers or as impressive, but I really liked the ones it did have.
- author: Mike G (UK)
date: Saturday 5th November 2011
text: |-
I have several Lynx handbook which I am about to dispose off if they are not wanted. These are:\
Lynx Cassette Operation, Lynx DOS Manual, Lynx Printer Tech Manual and Lynx User Manual.\
If anyone is interested please let me know.
- author: Frank Rasmussen (Denmark)
date: Sunday 2nd October 2011
text: |-
Im a computer collector from Denmark, I got a Lynx 96K and would like to add a diskdrive, and have found a schematic from camputerslynxinfo, but there are errors in the diagram. Then i saw that Peter Lenge from Norway write here in this forum, that he built his own interface, is it possible that You Peter would share Your diagram with the rest of us ? I would be very happe to get in contact with You. I got equipment to make real PCB''s - proff.
Best regards\
Frank
- author: Mark Sanderson (England )
date: Saturday 2nd July 2011
text: |-
Has anyone put the LYNX into VHDL code so I can put it on my Altera DE0 FPGA board ??
It would be great to see it running on real hardware again !!
- author: Lez (England)
date: Monday 4th October 2010
text: Has anyone thought of putting the Lynx onto a FPGA(Field Programmable Gate Array) so that it can live again. It been done for other legacy compurters like the Coco 3 (now runnung at 25MHZ) and the Amstrad CPC464 (running at 24MHz) !!
- author: Stuart Shaw (England)
date: Tuesday 10th August 2010
text: |-
When will the Lynx preservation site be live again ?
I''m in need of some schematics and just can''t find them anywhere !!
I have a 96k Lynx, and I''m interested in getting the disk drive controller working as well as the Joystick interface.
- author: Russell Davis (USA)
date: Monday 8th June 2009
text: |-
just wanted to let everyone know that I have updated the Camputers Lynx Preservation site and moved it from mediawiki to drupal and have also setup a group for the camputers lynx on facebook.
also if Petter Lenge could contact me either via the facebook group or via camputerslynx.info I would be grateful. actually if anyone wants to contact me with regard the camputers lynx i''d be interested to hear from them.
R.
- author: Russell Davis (currently NYC)
date: Monday 10th January 2005
text: i've setup a small wiki to try to collect as much info, software, pictures, schematics, docs... etc. as possible. if you are interested in the camputers lynx or have memories about it or details about the players involved or technical info please visit.
- author: John Rostron (Earth)
date: Thursday 17th June 2004
text: |-
I remember that in Basic, the BEEP or SUUND commands stopped all on screen graphics movement for about 1/2 a second!!! My Lynx suffered from a row of bright dots/pixels down the left hand side of the screen. Although it went for repair on two occasions, it always came back with the same problem.\
There were virtually no good games for the Lynx and I always envied those Spectrum and BBC owners :-((
- author: Pete Todd (Aberystwyth, Wales)
date: Monday 22nd December 2003
text: |-
Mine was thrown out while I was away at uni., I was left with the memory board and a few tapes...
the tapes have been retrieved from the loft and\
an emulator has been written:
http://heraclion.users.btopenworld.com/palelynx.htm
happy christmas to all
- author: Tony Darch (Swindon)
date: Thursday 22nd May 2003
text: Well, I'd love to get my hands on one of these little babies. The one we had was dropped and it was busted. My old man wrote a few games for this. He tried to sell them himself but I dont think there wer more than a couple copies sold. I would love to get my hands on a lynx and some of the games he made, or at the very least an Emulator, I havent been able to find even that! Have you guys ever Heard of games called Pincerman and a small compilation of games Tower of rings, Blooker, Yahyzee and a couple I cant remember? Let me know....
- author: Voyager (Greece)
date: Saturday 29th June 2002
text: It's a very strange machine, awfully slow for a Z80 @4Mhz, and the memory usage is very strange. All my Lynx48K machines, have 96K installed. Only one has an extra Eprom that lets you use more than the 48Kbytes. Looking for the Lightpen and Disk Drive.
- author: Guy Hindle (Southampton)
date: Monday 11th February 2002
text: |-
Just saying HI! to anyone else who has one.
I haven't bootde it up for quite a while, I'll try again now!
oc_id: 158
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608215653/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=158
date: '2023-06-08'
---
The Lynx 48 was a competitor of the [Sinclair Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum/) and the [Oric 1](/museum/oric-1/). It was a good machine but its main problem was a lack of software. Several models were available with 48 KB, 96 KB or 128 KB RAM, and it was possible to reach 192 KB with on-board RAM expansions! There is even a monitor in the Lynx's ROM which allowed the user to write and edit programs written in machine code.
The 96 KB and 128 KB versions featured 4 KB of additional ROM memory (mirrored twice for obscure reasons) with lots of extra commands for sound effects, such as laser and klaxon, and for using 24 KB of dedicated RAM as data space.
The Lynx Basic has really cool features, unseen on other systems of its category, like REPEAT-UNTIL and WHILE-WEND statements, and automatic indenting of procedures! The graphic possibilities were excellent, especially with the 128 KB model, and CP/M could be used with the optional 5.25" disk-drive and 96 KB or better models.
However, the Lynx had no great success outside Great Britain. The designer of the Lynx is John Shireff, an ex-drummer.
Some hardware devices on the bus had potentially contentious outputs. This meant that you had to be quite brave if you wanted to program in assembly language - if you made a mistake, you could damage the hardware itself. This was highlighted in the user manual!
Camputers ceased trading in 1984. Several companies expressed an interest in buying the business, and in November, 1984, a firm called Anston Technology took over. A re-launch was planned but never happened, and in June, 1986 Anston sold everything - hardware, design rights and thousands of cassettes - to the National Lynx User Group. The group planned to produce a Super-Lynx but was too busy supplying spares and technical information to owners of existing models, and the project never came into being.
---
Contributors: John J. Diamond (editor), Richard Hince
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