Linear tracking turntables, whatever happened?

Atmasphere.

The best linear tracker tonearms use the same force for movement as a pivot arm - the groove.

This depends on what is meant by this statement.

ok - I will rephrase.
The best linear tracker tonearms use the same force for movement across the record as a pivot arm - the groove.

Atmasphere
Quite often with such arms the side to side forces on the cantilever become the tracking angle error! This can exceed a good radial tracking arm.

Firstly - no one I know that owns an expensive tonearm any type - plays bad-ass records where side to side forces on the cantilever become any type of problem. A quick call to Peter at Soundsmith on what he sees when he fixes carts, will illuminate all on side forces with improper anti skating.  
I was talking about the best ones only Atmasphere. Don't be general in your statement Give examples please; maybe in a thread on this topic, and when posting about tonearms in general;  I personally feel you should be using your business partnership with Tri-planar disclaimer on each post.   

Cheers

Lewm - so I take it then that your answer is NO  - you have never owned a Linear tracker in your room ?

I've been running a Kuzma Airline for more than 12 years. I like it, it is made well, no issues other than dealing with air compressor, which adds an additional layer of complication to what is otherwise a pretty straightforward design and execution. Otherwise, pretty easy to set up and dial in, minimal maintenance.
I gather the Trans-Fi is the cat's meow at an easily digestible price. 
I remember the Rabco. I think the arm on the Goldmund Reference (old) was similar, but there were/are tweaks to get it to play nicely. 

These are very good comments but I am still left wondering what was wrong with the general consumer models like the Revox, B&O, Technics etc that caused their lack of acceptance.
Surely it was not just all down to the fact that people treated them more like cd players as alluded to?

^^^^
I have heard it said many times in the past, that it was the DJ’s in clubs that saved "turntables" when CD took over. They used sl1200’s and the like. Very durable built like tanks. Came in a bomb proof silver case.
There is no way an SL10 linear tracker would have lasted one night in a club.

8^0

@lewn wrote The only full bore turntable/SL tonearm available now comes from Germany, I think, but I cannot recall its name. Another German company, Brinkmann may also make one.

I believe you are referring to Bergmann and not Brinkmann