2.5 LINER vs 2 LINER - Which One Is Better? I BGD LYNX 2 Test & Review

BGD LYNX 2 Paraglider Test & Review. The LYNX 2 is a lightweight sports class wing from BGD. It’s a two and a half liner, which means that from front to back it has three line sets in the middle (A, B and C) and two line sets at the tips (A and B). With a moderate aspect ratio for a sports class wing, 6.2, the LYNX 2 is certified EN C, using folding lines. What the heck is a hybrid 2.5 liner anyway? ;-) A 3 liner has 3 rows of main lines front to back -A, B and C. A 2 liner has 2 rows front to back, A and B. A 2.5 liner has a 3 line layout in the centre of the wing and 2 lines at the tips. So why in the sky did BGD choose to make the LYNX 2 a 2.5 liner EN C wing, rather than a 2 liner EN C, which seems to be all the rage at the moment? A 2.5 liner requires less rods to retain chordwise structural stability, making it lighter, more compact and easier to pack. BGD believes the Lynx 2’s line layout also offers a wider brake range, better tolerance of low speeds, and more forgiving stall behaviour. They also feel it’s also generally easier and safer to launch, ground handle and fly, compared to a 2 liner. Comparisons with other wings Both in Colombia and the UK I had the opportunity to fly closely with many different wings, of all levels. Compared to other wings I’ve tested and flown against… I feel the LYNX 2 has a noticeable performance advantage in terms of glide and speed over even the best-performing current high B wings - the IOTA DLS, Ikuma 3, MENTOR 7, Rush 6 and MAESTRO 2. Quite similar performance overall to the best performing current EN C 3 and 2.5 liners - the SIGMA 11, CURE 2, Artik 6, Delta 4, CAYENNE6, SAVAGE and Queen 3. Quite similar also to the Volt 4, Bonanza 3, CODEX and MINT, but I feel these may have a slight advantage when fully accelerated. I feel the best performing EN C 2 liners I’ve tested - the Artik R, Photon, SCALA 2, X2C and Volt 5 - have a noticeable performance advantage, even at trim but especially accelerated. In terms of handling, compared with other sports class wings, to give an idea, I found the Lynx 2 more agile than the CURE 2, Delta 4, SAVAGE, CAYENNE6, Volt 4, CODEX, MINT, Photon and Volt 5. It has similar agility to the Bonanza 3 and Queen 3. Not quite as agile as the SIGMA 11, ALLEGRO, Artik 6, Artik R, SCALA 2 and X2C. Who’s it for? Pilots looking for a light yet durable, compact and easy-packing sports class wing with mid C pilot demands, very nice handling and excellent all-round XC performance. Suitable for pilots ready to upgrade from a high B wing. Pilots wanting to downgrade from a high C or D wing, still wanting excellent XC performance but choosing to shift their focus more on enjoyment, less on performance. Competitions? Although the Lynx 2 is not the out-and-out top performer in the serial class it offers excellent handling and performance - including good speed - and lower pilot demands than the top performers so it’s a great wing for taking part in serial-class competitions like the SRS. If you’re gunning to win you might do it on the Lynx but if you wanted to put all your ducks in your favour then you’d have to fly one of the top performing EN C 2-liners, whether you wanted to or not. Since they’re not excluded, you might have to get a torpedo harness too, whether you wanted to or not. And of course, being light and compact, and easy to launch in all (launchable) conditions, the Lynx 2 is an excellent wing for hike and fly events and competitions, especially serial class ones.