I don’t own a Linnstrument, though have played with one a few times, so my experience is limited.
in fact, after playing with one for the first time, I went on to buy a Madrona Labs Soundplane instead - so I kind of liken it to that, but its a bit different…
(also Ive never played the smaller version, only the full size one)
overall, I think the Linnstrument is very well implemented, many expressive controllers have quirks which you have to ‘workaround’ whereas the Linnstrument firmware/sensors feel really robust/reliable. (at least as much as Ive used… long term owners could say more on this)
for me, its greatest strength is therefore it does what it says on the tin.
for a continuous surface, yeah the Y axis is a bit small for my taste… I found my self more rocking on the Y axis, rather than physical sliding. and its limited to one row…
(whereas the soundplane is completely continuous in all 3 planes)
I also didn’t particularly like the feel of the surface, but thats completely personal… I can’t say its was a ‘problem’, just a preference.
(again, probably I was comparing to the Soundplane, which I really like the surface of)
but yeah, its a really solid/reliable MPE controller, and very well supported…
if I didn’t have similar, Id probably have bought one.
as for comparing directly to the Osmose, I don’t think you really can…
as I said, Isomorphic/Continuous surfaces, do suit expressive play slightly more, particularly compared to osmose.
but the Osmose strength is as a keyboard… also like the Eigenharp, having discrete ‘keys’ does have some advantages even in expressive play for certain styles/ and sound types.
( hard to come up with examples, but a piano like sound on an Osmose/Eigenharp is much more enjoyable to play than on something like a Linnstrument)
again… I know everyone wants the ‘ultimate’ mpe controller, that does it all…
but once you’ve played with a few, you’ll realise that is no more possible, than it is for a piano to replace a violin… the playing surface is important, and affects how/what you play.
… but of course, you dont need perfection, these can all play everything very well.
also of course, the Osmose is a complete instrument, and the Linnstrument is not… and the continuum is considerably more expensive that the others
tl;dr
if I was going to buy ONE (my first) mpe controller/instrument …
it’d very likely buy the Osmose. just because its a complete instrument… and I like the Haken Engine. ( and I dont mind do sound design with the Editor)
however
IF I really wanted to do hands on sound design, or didn’t like the Haken Editor,
AND I didn’t have (nor want to develop) keyboard skills…
THEN I think the Linnstrument, perhaps with a hardware MPE synth would be the way Id go.
(probably similarly budget !)
p.s. also please bare in mind, I , like many others on this topic, pre-ordered the Osmose over 3 years ago… so we got it at a ridiculous discount… so my views are definitely clouded by this… there is nothing comparable at the price we paid !