Opinion on Logitech Harmony 900?

[dtom]

Greetings,

I am new to the world of HT and am in the process of completeing my first system. I am mounting the TV above the fireplace in the living room and will run all components from an enclosed rack (Omnimount RE27) located in closet of adjacent bedroom (approx 20' away).

I think I need a remote with RF capabilities for it to work smoothly. I have read mixed reviews on the aforementioned remote...anybody have personal experience with it or any other recommendations? It's a bit pricey to order on a whim. Thanks!

 

[FirstReflection]

The Harmony Remotes are, in my opinion, the best of a somewhat bad situation

Here's the thing: it's all about how you program the remote. It can be really quick and easy, but then kind of janky to use; or, it can be really pretty and user friendly, but then a pain in the rear to set up!

The best thing about the Harmony 900 is the button layout and the flexibility of the software. The worst thing about the Harmony 900 is the old interface, slowness, and complexity of the software. So the software is what makes you either love or hate a Harmony Remote.

Folks who only use the setup wizard will think Harmony remotes are easy to setup, but slow in sending commands, prone to errors, and lacking a clean and easy to use button layout. People who really dig into the software will find that with enough patience, a lot of trial and error, and some occassional creative thinking, you can get the Harmony Remotes to do just about anything you want! But it's a slow and painful process getting there because of the old, slow, clunky software.

So those are the complaints you're gonna read. People who either spend no time at all programming and wind up with a kinda lame experience, or people who took a deep dive, but had to hit their head against the wall for hours to get there!

The thing is, compared to all the alternatives, the Harmony Remotes are still the best. The "Activity"-based setup is so much better than an individual "Device"-based setup - even one with macros. And the software does contain an amazing and constantly updated database of IR commands for almost every device out there. It's certainly the easiest way to get all the "hidden" commands that your device understands, but the stock remote doesn't include! Things like discrete on and off commands instead of just a "power" toggle. And discrete input selection commands, or other menu or transport controls that aren't on the stock remote.

The hardware side of things is great. I think the 900 has a logical and comfortable hard button layout. And the touch screen - once you've properly programmed and organized it - is very useful. The wizard just sort of dumps any commands that don't easily map to the hard buttons on that touchscreen. So that's where the wizard really sucks. You end up with pages and pages of unnecessary, duplicate, and unorganized touch screen buttons! But slog through the software manually and that touchscreen can become very useful and pretty

The RF works quite well. I only need to cover 900 square feet, but it literally works anywhere in my apartment. I recommend going to Ikea and getting a few cheap mirrors. Line the side walls of your cabinet with the mirrors and angle the IR blasting receiver so it'll bounce the IR commands all around the cabinet via the mirrors. Helps to better "blanket" all of your devices in the IR light path, and makes it so you rarely, if ever, get a missed command due to the IR "eye" of some device or other not getting "hit" by the IR output of the 900's base station

Hope that helps!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The Harmony Remotes are, in my opinion, the best of a somewhat bad situation

Here's the thing: it's all about how you program the remote. It can be really quick and easy, but then kind of janky to use; or, it can be really pretty and user friendly, but then a pain in the rear to set up!

The best thing about the Harmony 900 is the button layout and the flexibility of the software. The worst thing about the Harmony 900 is the old interface, slowness, and complexity of the software. So the software is what makes you either love or hate a Harmony Remote.

Folks who only use the setup wizard will think Harmony remotes are easy to setup, but slow in sending commands, prone to errors, and lacking a clean and easy to use button layout. People who really dig into the software will find that with enough patience, a lot of trial and error, and some occassional creative thinking, you can get the Harmony Remotes to do just about anything you want! But it's a slow and painful process getting there because of the old, slow, clunky software.

So those are the complaints you're gonna read. People who either spend no time at all programming and wind up with a kinda lame experience, or people who took a deep dive, but had to hit their head against the wall for hours to get there!

The thing is, compared to all the alternatives, the Harmony Remotes are still the best. The "Activity"-based setup is so much better than an individual "Device"-based setup - even one with macros. And the software does contain an amazing and constantly updated database of IR commands for almost every device out there. It's certainly the easiest way to get all the "hidden" commands that your device understands, but the stock remote doesn't include! Things like discrete on and off commands instead of just a "power" toggle. And discrete input selection commands, or other menu or transport controls that aren't on the stock remote.

The hardware side of things is great. I think the 900 has a logical and comfortable hard button layout. And the touch screen - once you've properly programmed and organized it - is very useful. The wizard just sort of dumps any commands that don't easily map to the hard buttons on that touchscreen. So that's where the wizard really sucks. You end up with pages and pages of unnecessary, duplicate, and unorganized touch screen buttons! But slog through the software manually and that touchscreen can become very useful and pretty

I have to agree with many points of excellent (like always from FirstReflection) Answer. I do agree regarding the software - Wizard based software helps you get your remote configured pretty rapidly, but same wizards are making your life living hell if you need to fine tune it later one.

I'd like to reinforce few points and somewhat be sceptical:
a) Logitech Remote hardware: ex-Owner of Harmony 880 which failed after only year and half - and this was very typical for MANY of 880 owners.
Company didn't took the ownership of this design mistake and many of us left to scrambling for self repairs - that left really bad taste for me re: logitech products in general...
Maybe 900 is so much better hardware wise, but I'll stick to my doubts

To be honest there aren't many good alternatives in same price point...
but these:
UNIVERSAL REMOTE URC-RFS200 10-Device Remote & PowerBlaster

or this:
Newegg.com - URC UNIMX450KIT Universal Infrared / RF Remote Control Kit

Both programmable from remote itself (which is hate or love thing), but the 2nd allows much easier programming due to much more friendly interface.
I can vouch for build quality from URC - they are built like tanks and guarantee to last several times over any Harmony remote

If you want even more flexibility you need to go URC remotes supported by CCP software and probably the lowest combo is MX-900/MRF-260 -
CCP is generally restricted to custom installers, but if you look hard around you can find it

 

[brianedm]

I love my Harmony one. Best piece of home theater equipment I've purchased. Makes day to day watching so much easier.

 

[dtom]

Thank you to all that replied, I really appreciate the input. I never thought about lining the closet or cabinet with mirrors to get better reception but that makes perfect sense.

I looked at the UCR models and they do appear to be well-built and offer the Macros features. After reading the responses I decided to give the 900 a try and just ordered it from Amazon. If it does not work out then I will go to the UCR. I am suprised that Logitech has not produced a new/updated/improved model of the 900 RF remote in the last few years.

Many thanks again

 

[brianedm]

Thank you to all that replied, I really appreciate the input. I never thought about lining the closet or cabinet with mirrors to get better reception but that makes perfect sense.

I looked at the UCR models and they do appear to be well-built and offer the Macros features. After reading the responses I decided to give the 900 a try and just ordered it from Amazon. If it does not work out then I will go to the UCR. I am suprised that Logitech has not produced a new/updated/improved model of the 900 RF remote in the last few years.

Many thanks again

Take the lack of a new model as a good thing. Maybe it can't be improved? haha.