Start here: a Lynx system that's new to you

You took over a timing system from someone else, or found one that hasn't been used in a while. These seven steps take you from “what is all this?” to a first meet, in order.

1. Find out what your organization owns

   Before anything else, work out which system you have.

   • Open the equipment case and look for the package quick start guide (Scholastic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond). It lists what the package came with. The package guides are also in Documents.
   • Find the labels. Every EtherLynx photo-finish camera has its model and serial number on a label underneath; IdentiLynx and VeriLynx video cameras have one on the camera. Find your camera model and serial shows where to look and what the numbers mean.
   • Still not sure? Use Contact Support with your organization's name, roughly when the system was bought, and photos of any labels you can find. Support checks Lynx's records and replies with the equipment list and the serials that go with it.
2. Find your serial numbers

   FinishLynx and each plug-in have their own serial, separate from the camera's.

   • On a laptop that ran FinishLynx before, open Help | About. It lists the FinishLynx serial and every installed plug-in with its serial. Write them all down.
   • They may also be on the serial sheet or flash drive that came with the package.
   • If you have neither, Lost serial numbers lists the one email that gets them re-sent.
3. Install the software

   Always start from the latest version.

   • Download the latest FinishLynx, and each plug-in you own, from Software. Every EtherLynx camera, however old, works with the latest FinishLynx, so you never need an older version.
   • Enter the FinishLynx serial when the installer asks, and each plug-in's serial in that plug-in's own installer.
   • Scholastic package? It runs FinishLynx LITE, which has its own installer and serial. See FinishLynx LITE vs Full.
4. Get the computer and network ready

   FinishLynx runs on Windows, and the camera needs a wired network connection.

   • Check the laptop against the minimum computer requirements. FinishLynx doesn't run on a Mac.
   • If a school or district IT department manages the laptop, send them the Computer and IT readiness checklist: administrator rights, the firewall and a static IP address.
   • Set the static IP and file sharing with the Windows 11 networking guide (or the Windows 10 guide).
5. Set up, align and test the camera

   The Get Started guide walks through this in five stages.

   • Cable the camera using your package quick start guide, open FinishLynx and let the camera load. If it won't, start from the BOOT light in Troubleshoot or the Camera Boot Troubleshooting Guide.
   • Work through the Get Started guide: setup, align, test, capture and evaluate, in that order.
   • The New User Setup videos show the same steps.
   • Older camera (an EtherLynx 2000, 2000+, Professional or Fusion)? See Older cameras and licenses.
6. Rehearse before your first meet

   A practice race catches most problems while there's still time to fix them.

   • Run the Pre-Season Checklist, then a practice race with a real start: arm the event, fire the start, capture and read the times.
   • Read Tips for New Timers, written by experienced Lynx service providers.
   • Anything damaged in storage? Start in Troubleshoot; for a fall or broken port, see Submit an RMA.
7. Learn the system

   Free material first, then training with Lynx if your crew needs it.

   • Free, any time: the online manual, the video library and Ask Lynx.
   • Remote training with a Lynx trainer is available at an additional cost. Request it on Training Request with the products you run, your team size and their experience.
   • Stuck on one specific problem? That's for support, not a training session: Contact Support.