Legacy Xsens Link vs Next-Generation Xsens Link – Full System Comparison
| Feature / Capability | Legacy MVN Link | Xsens Link (Next Gen) | Future / Planned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz | Wi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz)New | — | Lower latency, faster throughput. |
| Ethernet | Direct normal UTP Ethernet | Rugged USB-C OTG EthernetNew | — | Improved stability and speed. |
| On-Body Recording (OBR) | Supported with remote OBR | Supports time-synced (local only) | Remote OBR planned | Adds wireless recording control. |
| Bluetooth / NFC | Not available | Hardware present, disabled | Future roadmap | For remote control and accessories. |
| Sync / Timecode | Software-only | Hardware port present, inactive | Future roadmap | Will enable LTC. |
| Soft Access Point Mode | Yes | Not in MVP | Planned | Hub to act as local Wi-Fi router. |
| Voice Prompts | Beeper only | Full voice alertsNew | Enhanced guidance planned | Adds natural feedback during setup. |
| LED Feedback | Basic indicator | Advanced multi-LED arrayNew | — | Expanded patterns for user clarity. |
| Suit Design | Removable harness | Integrated washable harnessNew | — | Faster setup, easier maintenance. |
| Sensor Swappability | Fixed per suit | Interchangeable, pre-programmed sensor locationsNew | — | Easier service and scalability. |
| System Upgradeability | Limited | Modular firmware + hardware-readyNew | Ongoing | Designed for future-proof development. |
| GPS | Supported, when bought additionally | No GPS hardware support | Future roadmap | Future possibility via APP or BLE/USB GPS devices. |
| Waterproofness | Limited (not designed) | Designed for IP68 docked sensors and IP44 HubNew | Future roadmap – Hub waterproof housing | No warranty for immersion. |
| Internal Battery Charging with external battery | No internal battery | Not supported at MVP | Planned shortly after | 30% charged to keep hot-swapping enabled and minimize losses. |
| Additional Props 1> | Up to 4 | Up to 4 with Additional Prop Splitters | Future roadmap | 1 prop sensor is included. |
| USB File Access | Not supported | Not in MVP | Future roadmap | Connect as storage device to PC. |
| Strap-Based Link | Link shirt and strap set available | Not at launch | Shortly after launch | Flexible system setup. |
| Sparse Sensor Setup | Always full body sensors | Possible to connect only upper or lower body sensor strings | — | No need for all sensors or cables. |
| USB OTG Devices | No OTG support | Supports Ethernet at launchNew | Others on future roadmap | Third-party devices through USB-C. |
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Legacy: Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz
Next Gen: Wi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz)
Planned: —
Notes: Lower latency and higher throughput.
Ethernet
Legacy: Direct normal UTP Ethernet
Next Gen: Rugged USB-C OTG Ethernet
Planned: —
Notes: Improved stability and field durability.
On-Body Recording (OBR)
Legacy: Supported with remote OBR
Next Gen: Time-synced local OBR only
Planned: Remote OBR
Notes: Remote control to be added via firmware.
Bluetooth / NFC
Legacy: Not available
Next Gen: Hardware present, disabled
Planned: Future roadmap
Notes: Intended for remote control and accessories.
Sync / Timecode
Legacy: Software-only
Next Gen: Hardware port present (inactive)
Planned: LTC Timecode support
Notes: For tighter multi-system sync.
Soft Access Point Mode
Legacy: Yes
Next Gen: Not in MVP
Planned: AP Mode
Notes: Hub will act as local Wi-Fi router.
Voice Prompts
Legacy: Beeper only
Next Gen: Full voice alerts
Planned: Enhanced guidance
Notes: Gives natural feedback during setup and capture.
LED Feedback
Legacy: Basic indicator
Next Gen: Advanced multi-LED array
Planned: —
Notes: Clearer power, Wi-Fi, and error states.
Suit Design
Legacy: Removable harness
Next Gen: Integrated washable harness / eSuit
Planned: —
Notes: Faster setup and easier maintenance.
Sensor Swappability
Legacy: Fixed per suit
Next Gen: Interchangeable, pre-programmed sensors
Planned: —
Notes: Easier service and scalability.
System Upgradeability
Legacy: Limited
Next Gen: Modular firmware + hardware-ready
Planned: Ongoing
Notes: Built for long-term platform evolution.
GPS
Legacy: Supported when bought additionally
Next Gen: No GPS hardware support
Planned: Possible via external devices
Notes: May be added via APP or BLE/USB GPS.
Waterproofness
Legacy: Limited (not designed)
Next Gen: IP68 docked sensors, IP44 Hub
Planned: Hub waterproof housing
Notes: Better protection but no immersion warranty.
Internal Battery Charging with external battery
Legacy: No internal battery
Next Gen: Not supported at MVP
Planned: Shortly after release
Notes: Internal battery will keep ~30% charge to support hot-swap.
Additional Props
Legacy: Up to 4
Next Gen: Up to 4 with Additional Prop Splitters
Planned: Future roadmap
Notes: One prop sensor included as standard.
USB File Access
Legacy: Not supported
Next Gen: Not in MVP
Planned: Future roadmap
Notes: Will allow direct storage access to PC.
Strap-Based Link
Legacy: Link shirt and strap set available
Next Gen: Not at launch
Planned: Shortly after launch
Notes: New T-shirt + strap configuration in progress.
Sparse Sensor Setup
Legacy: Always full-body sensors
Next Gen: Upper-body or lower-body strings only
Planned: —
Notes: No need for all sensors or cables in every setup.
USB OTG Devices
Legacy: No OTG support
Next Gen: Supports Ethernet at launch
Planned: More OTG devices
Notes: Third-party devices via USB-C are on the roadmap.
The legacy MVN Link is now End-of-Life (EOL).
For new projects, we recommend upgrading to the
Next-Generation Xsens Link full system
to benefit from the latest hardware, workflow improvements, and forward roadmap.