What don't you like about the button layout on the iconRemote? (I don't know too much about that kind of stuff.)
Keep in mind that I have been using HTM remotes for years after trying all different kinds of remotes and they are my personal preference but having said that, here are some things that I don't like about the X10 just by looking at it:
- Cursor buttons (left, right, up, down, select) near the top of the remote. Without holding it in your hand you can't tell if the natural balance point of the remote will be such that when you hold it your thumb naturally falls over the cursor pad but it may be alright. You end up using those buttons a lot.
- Transport controls (rew, ffwd, play, etc) at the bottom of the remote. That's a problem if you need to use them in combination with the cursor controls - especially for things like OnDemand where you can use those controls just like on a dvd player to control the movie. It's a problem if you have to constantly reposition the remote in your hand to move from the cursor controls to the transport controls and back.
- Too many dual function buttons. All the buttons that have red or green writing above them have multiple functions. Without reading the manual I can't tell if you have to press a certain 'mode' button or they automatically switch functions per mode. This may not sound like a problem but it can be - case in point the old HTM MX-500 remote: The Rew button also functioned as 'Guide' for cable. So you couldn't use the Rew button when watching OnDemand on cable because it activates the guide.
- The beautiful LCD screen appears to have no function other than storing 'favorites'. The above problem with Rew vs Guide could be solved on the HTM remote by programming either one to one of the LCD buttons. Doesn't appear that you can do that with the X10.
- It is a 'standard' remote in the sense that every button is labeled so you have no way to store A/V specific commands that you will find on a typical receiver - like 'Late Night'. I don't see any generic buttons that can be used for any command you like and even if it did have them they are not the best solution anyway.
That remote is a souped up All-For-One 8811. Those kinds of remotes have dedicated buttons labeled L1-L4 to which you can learn any command. But they are few and its hard to remember that you programmed 'Late Night' to L1 and 'Surr' (to change surround modes) to L2 for example. It's much nicer to be able to label a button anyway you want and also to be able to program any command to any button you want to suit your own tastes for layout.
The HTM and Harmony remotes are much more flexible and IMO are a better choice. I prefer HTM over Harmony but that's just me and based on having experience with HTM.
