[Torx]

Logitech Harmony Remote
Retail: $129.99
Net Price: $92



Lets start off with the testbed of remotes to be replaced.

- Sony RPTV remote. Used mainly for menu options, brightness tweaking etc, TV Video switching, muting, Twinview for misc needs.

- Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD remote. Use mainly for powering on and off cable box, and TV, changing channels, chanign aspect ratio of digital cable, settings, etc.

- Lasko 3440 fan remote. Used to turn on and off IR remoted controlled fan, and speed switching.

- Xbox 360 Remote (included in premium package). Used to turn on and off the 360, misc shit like light dvd controls, blade switching, media center, etc.

- Heath Company RF inline power switcher for corner lamp. Could NOT be controlled due to RF signals only.

- Hampton bay ceiling fan remote. Used to control ceiling fan. Could NOT control due to RF signals only.

Keep in mind, i have no dedicated DVD player or audio/cd/receiever/amp/5.1 setup either so in essense i would have more remotes. Now for the reveiew.

Out of the packaging you get:
- Remote
- USB Cable
- Installation CD and Guide
- 4 new sealed AAA batteries
- 4 used AAA batteries inside remote for display/demo purposes

According to the installation guide, if you have a 360, you pop in the new batteries and press Y,X,A,B to auto configure the 360 into the remote before any use. Plug up the usb cable to PC, then remote. Install CD software, follow the software wizard to configure everything. Pretty simple and had me up and running in no time controlling everything except the RF devices in my room.

Keep in mind, no configuring is done on the remote itself, not like the olden days. Everything is done on the PC, then via usb the remote memory is reflashed with updated settings. I would think over time the memory would wear out due to many reflashes.

The activity button is nice in that you press it, and displays a set of options to do. Watch TV, Play 360, Watch a DVD, Play Music CD (i opted out for this option). If everything is off from the get go, you choose an activity, it'll auto turn on what you choose, auto select video source, and allow more options in the lcd screen. This alleviated the problem of fumbling with remotes just to play a game. The remote's help function allows for resyncing and reordering of device turn on. Nothing much else.

The backlight is a very glowing green, you can set how long you want it to stay on in the software configuration. If the button pressing and signalling is too slow, you can adjust the delay timing for each device to allow for faster button signaling. Can adjust in milliseconds. Most newer devices can take between 50-100ms pretty good without any problems.

After everything was set, i was satisfied, i noticed the menu options contained too much stuff. The LCD only provides you with 4 options per page and if your tv or cable box has alot of options, you could be slipping through page through page just to mute the tv or look at the tv guide. So what ive been tweaking is removing and rearranging things that i dont need in my menu options for the devices. This will help your swift remote controlling enjoyment. Over the weekend i mustve turned my tv and all devices off and on about a million times just to get it right.

If your not a tweaker and get frustrated easily, then this is not for you.
Likewise all hige profile programmable remotes, these things take alot of time and tweaking to get right for you personal preferences. The out of the box settings are great but your gonna wanna tweak it for comfort. As much as you have to use the software i wish it was better.


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My gripes thus far software related.

- The software is web based, so whatever you configure, it syncs with logitechs website storing your profile, settings, etc.

- Software is ultra slow to manuever around. You have to install the software then an update reminder will pop up, choose it to update to latest version. Finding the actual 40MB download of the latest on the website is next to impossible unless you have alot of time on hand.

- You cant reset the remote if you feel you wanna start all over. They claim reflashing over the firmware with the same current works, but it doesnt. Noone has yet figured out how to hard reset either.

- Everynow and then a "nothing to display" error will pop up every now then. Kinda un-nerving.

- In all, the software is shit, i hate it and wish it was better. I have a feeling this is the same software for all harmony remotes.


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Gripes thus far about the remote itself.

- small buttons, kinda hard to press at times.
- the rubber plug that covers the usb port doesnt stay in, annoying.

Things i like

- YXAB hard buttons, nice lit lcd and buttons.
- bottom of remote feel likes silk very comfortable.
- directional pad feels sturdy
- remote ir learning, even though you'll prolly never use it because the IR database is HUGE and contains everything known to man along with its many configurations and signal ID's.


Overall, im pleased with the remote. I have my gripes but over time they will be ignored and gotten used to.
I rate it 7 out of 10. It would be a 8 or 9 if the software was better.

[Hubcap]

Those Buttons look very very small. I have 2 remotes I use, my remote for the digital box, and a remote for my Receiver. I can set the receiver remote to remember functions, Like turning on the tv, turning on the dvd player, hitting play, changing the source of the tv in 1 macro. It looks nice but im not sure I would pay $100 for a remote.

[Nothing.]

Can you use the remote without looking at it? Do you have to go all over the thing to use it to do some simple things?

[mistawiskas]

I need a universal. The pile of remotes on the coffee table is almost unrealistic.