Buyer criteria matrix

Photo finish systems comparison matrix

Scroll down the features and keep the brand names pinned at the top. Public competitor notes are cautious; exact package fit should still be confirmed before purchase.

Matrix

Compare features by brand

Feature Lion Timing Pro Lion Timing Advanced FinishLynx / EtherLynx TimeTronics Argus ALGE OPTIc3
Feature Lion Timing Pro Lion Timing Advanced FinishLynx / EtherLynx / Vision PRO / Vision PRO X TimeTronics Argus ALGE OPTIc3
Line speed / scan rate

Up to 5,000 real optical lines/s, chosen for racing speeds and light balance.

Up to 5,000 real optical lines/s, chosen for racing speeds and light balance.

Higher advertised rates vary by model and options; ask what is optical, what is interpolated, and what the image looks like under realistic light.

Higher advertised rates vary by model and options; ask what is optical, what is interpolated, and what the image looks like under realistic light.

Higher advertised rates vary by model and options; ask what is optical, what is interpolated, and what the image looks like under realistic light.

Light-adaptive line rate

In development: Auto Line Rate is designed to use line rate as part of exposure control, keeping the lens near its sharpness setting while aspect correction keeps review images readable.

In development: Auto Line Rate is designed to use line rate as part of exposure control, keeping the lens near its sharpness setting while aspect correction keeps review images readable.

Equivalent automatic line-rate exposure control is not clearly stated in reviewed public material.

Equivalent automatic line-rate exposure control is not clearly stated in reviewed public material.

Equivalent automatic line-rate exposure control is not clearly stated in reviewed public material.

Low-light honesty / real sample images

Low-light performance is handled as a venue-fit question: matched scan rate, careful gain, RAW-first evidence, and honest lighting discussion before the first event.

Low-light performance is handled as a venue-fit question: matched scan rate, careful gain, RAW-first evidence, and honest lighting discussion before the first event.

Ask for unedited sample images from similar lighting, the line rate used, and whether the vendor explains lens, scan rate, gain, and lighting requirements clearly.

Ask for unedited sample images from similar lighting, the line rate used, and whether the vendor explains lens, scan rate, gain, and lighting requirements clearly.

Ask for unedited sample images from similar lighting, the line rate used, and whether the vendor explains lens, scan rate, gain, and lighting requirements clearly.

Zero test / timing verification

Buyer should ask to verify timing alignment with an on-site zero test. Dedicated Lion Timing test-start mode is planned/in development until shipped.

Buyer should ask to verify timing alignment with an on-site zero test. Dedicated Lion Timing test-start mode is planned/in development until shipped.

Ask whether the vendor can demonstrate an on-site zero test and explain how trigger, clock, image timestamps, and software mapping are verified.

Ask whether the vendor can demonstrate an on-site zero test and explain how trigger, clock, image timestamps, and software mapping are verified.

Ask whether the vendor can demonstrate an on-site zero test and explain how trigger, clock, image timestamps, and software mapping are verified.

Vertical sensor / pixels

2064

2064

Model-dependent: Vision PRO docs list up to 2048 px depending model/upgrade; Vision PRO X lists up to 2560/5120 depending model.

1280 for Club and Pro. 2064

Model-dependent: Catalog lists Basic up to 1360 px and OPTIc3-PRO up to 2016 px.

Sensor architecture / future adaptability

Sensor-agnostic architecture; sensor choice is matched to race-day light, timing, RAW evidence, and workflow needs.

Sensor-agnostic architecture; sensor choice is matched to race-day light, timing, RAW evidence, and workflow needs.

Ask whether the system is fixed to one sensor path, how upgrades are handled, and how the evidence workflow performs beyond the sensor specification.

Ask whether the system is fixed to one sensor path, how upgrades are handled, and how the evidence workflow performs beyond the sensor specification.

Ask whether the system is fixed to one sensor path, how upgrades are handled, and how the evidence workflow performs beyond the sensor specification.

Does the camera record the sensor’s raw data, and can I have that file?

RAW-first/source data recording plus JPEG export for review and sharing.

RAW-first/source data recording plus JPEG export for review and sharing.

Ask whether the original sensor data is recorded, accessible, and separate from review/export images.

Ask whether the original sensor data is recorded, accessible, and separate from review/export images.

Ask whether the original sensor data is recorded, accessible, and separate from review/export images.

GPS/GNSS

No

Yes, with optional GPS module.

Verify

No

No

Continuous backup recording

Yes

Yes

Verify

Published support; verify in setup.

No

Interface/timing box

Optional; not required for camera operation.

Optional; not required for camera operation.

Verify whether camera operation requires the interface box.

Interface box required for camera operation.

Verify interface-box requirement.

Package scope / required add-ons

Clear core package plus event-ready scope discussion: camera, software, setup needs, support, and optional accessories are separated before buying.

Clear core package plus event-ready scope discussion: camera, software, setup needs, support, and optional accessories are separated before buying.

Ask what is included in the quoted package: lens, software license, start controls, arrival controls, interface boxes, UPS/battery, PC/network requirements, shipping, and support.

Ask what is included in the quoted package: lens, software license, start controls, arrival controls, interface boxes, UPS/battery, PC/network requirements, shipping, and support.

Ask what is included in the quoted package: lens, software license, start controls, arrival controls, interface boxes, UPS/battery, PC/network requirements, shipping, and support.

Sport fit and approval path

Evaluate Lion Timing against the sport, venue, operator team, and event approval path required before purchase.

Evaluate Lion Timing against the sport, venue, operator team, and event approval path required before purchase.

Ask which sports, rulebooks, documentation, and event approvals apply to your region before assuming purchase fit.

Ask which sports, rulebooks, documentation, and event approvals apply to your region before assuming purchase fit.

Ask which sports, rulebooks, documentation, and event approvals apply to your region before assuming purchase fit.

Custom dashboards

Yes

No

No

No

No

Approval system

No

Yes, with approval server.

No

No

No

API/external control

No

Yes

No

No

No

CLI / automation control

No

Yes

No

No

No

Stream Deck / operator control

No

Yes

No

No

No

ID camera / bib video

No

Yes

No

Verify; may be optional.

Yes, optional cost.

Multi-desktop workflow

No

Yes

Verify

Yes, Pro only.

Yes, Pro only.

Multiple cameras

No

Yes

Verify

Verify

Verify

Scoreboard/display output

Yes, with interface box.

Yes, with interface box.

Verify

Yes, with interface box.

Yes

Pricing/licensing

EUR 7,000.

Subscription.

Verify

Approx. EUR 7,000; Pro pricing requires vendor confirmation.

Verify with vendor.

Omitted row

Why Swiss Timing is not in the matrix

Swiss Timing appears as market context on the broader Compare pages, but the source notes do not include enough row-by-row source-backed information to compare it fairly in this matrix.