Harmonyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

[speakerman39]

Hello people been thinking about getting a universal remote. Just want to keep things simple and as always not go beyond my budget. Can anyone here tell me what is so great about the Harmony 880 remote when compared to likes of the 680, 628, or even the H659BLK. Can't afford the 880 BUT would the 680 suffice? I want to control the follwing components:
Sony KDL-40S2010 40" LCD TV
Pioneer 1015 Receiver
Toshiba A-1 HDDVD Player

Really dont need nothing overly fancy BUT at the same time I want something that is adequate to say the least. Please help if you can and feel free to offer some suggestion(s).

 

[j_garcia]

URC might be another good choice. You can find them very cheap. What is the budget? My buddy picked up one of the lower models (don't remember which) to control his TV, DVD, DVR and Outlaw receiver and he is very pleased with it.

 

[speakerman39]

URC might be another good choice. You can find them very cheap. What is the budget? My buddy picked up one of the lower models (don't remember which) to control his TV, DVD, DVR and Outlaw receiver and he is very pleased with it.

Thanks John for the prompt reply. My budget is NOT very much...........LOL!!!! Vanns has some good deals on the H659BLK and the 680 for less than $100. Honestly, would like to keep it even less than that. What did you have in mind? Your input would be much appreciated.

 

[j_garcia]

If those are all you need to control, the URC100 can be found in the $50 range new. I think it will control 8 devices. I've used it in two installs and it works pretty well. Not entirely intuitive to program, but not difficult once you get it either. The Home Theater Master MX-500 is $74 on Amazon, it is also quite good (same as a URC).

 

[Nick250]

This the Harmony I have. Works great, no complaints.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B0003QER82/sr=1-1/qid=1172278841/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6720857-9329401?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Nick

 

[speakerman39]

If those are all you need to control, the URC100 can be found in the $50 range new. I think it will control 8 devices. I've used it in two installs and it works pretty well. Not entirely intuitive to program, but not difficult once you get it either.

Great.........where can it be purchased? I need to read up on it some too. Thanks once again for your help.

 

[MDS]

I think the choice depends entirely on your perspective and perhaps experience with various remotes. I will always vote for the URC remotes because I've used them and find them to be very good.

My personal reasons for not liking the Harmony remotes are:
- too many buttons spaced too closely together.
- reliance on web programming.

The URC remotes are maybe more tedious to set up but you can do pretty much whatever you want and for me that is a plus (programmer == control freak.)

 

[j_garcia]

I'm not entirely fond of the Harmony button layout either, but they at least do look nice. Heck, look at the remote I use...it is a beast too, but it allows me to do everything I want to with no hassle at all. Amazon seems to be sold out of the URC-100, but a quick search of the web should turn some up. The place that I got the 100s from does not carry them anymore??? It was only $47 + shipping....

Looks like the 100 may have been replaced. Found this guy for $79:

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=32259

 

[Highbar]

I love my 880, it has to be one of the best things I've bought. I got it from JR Audio and it wasn't that expensive, it was over $100 less then I could find it locally and quite a bit less then other places online. I have 6 devices programmed in it and that's just the beginning.

T

 

[jaxvon]

I think the choice depends entirely on your perspective and perhaps experience with various remotes. I will always vote for the URC remotes because I've used them and find them to be very good.

My personal reasons for not liking the Harmony remotes are:
- too many buttons spaced too closely together.
- reliance on web programming.

The URC remotes are maybe more tedious to set up but you can do pretty much whatever you want and for me that is a plus (programmer == control freak.)

Only a programmer would use ==, and only another nerd would recognize that

I don't have anything else to add, but I do want a Universal remote, so I'm gonna keep track of this thread. I just don't have the budget now...for anything in my HT. But it will get the upgrade soon...oh yes...soon....

 

[Matt34]

Check out the used market, I just picked up a Harmony 880 for $120 shipped.

 

[Bigfishe]

if you really...

want the 880...hold out until it's on amazon or Dell again for 124.99
it's happened 2 times in the last 6 months that I know of, and each time I missed out on it.
Check Techbargains.com and slickdeals.net, or even ecost.com


I know Buy.com has a TON of the URC remotes on sale a lot.

 

[abboudc]

Hello people been thinking about getting a universal remote. Just want to keep things simple and as always not go beyond my budget. Can anyone here tell me what is so great about the Harmony 880 remote when compared to likes of the 680, 628, or even the H659BLK. Can't afford the 880 BUT would the 680 suffice? I want to control the follwing components:
Sony KDL-40S2010 40" LCD TV
Pioneer 1015 Receiver
Toshiba A-1 HDDVD Player

Really dont need nothing overly fancy BUT at the same time I want something that is adequate to say the least. Please help if you can and feel free to offer some suggestion(s).

The only real advantages the 880 has over the other harmony's is the LCD screen and hard buttons. The lower harmony's (like the 550, 676) do exactly the same thing, but have monochrome screens and rubber buttons, vs. the color screen and hard plastic buttons of the upper models.

My family has 4 880's now, ranging from me to my father who doesn't even have a computer and is proud of this fact. My in-laws also love their remote. It's not a testament to the 880 per se, but the ability to hit one button like "watch tv" and have everything come on and set itself the way its supposed to. The URC models will give you the same thing, the biggest difference (from what i've heard) is the setup process. Some people prefer the Harmony online setup, some people prefer the URC process.

You can get the 880 for ~$150 new on Amazon, less when there's a deal going. IMO, it's worth every penny -- rechargeable, nice looking, and does what i need it to. For you it may not be worth the money. If you just want to control your devices and don't mind losing the bells and whistles, you can surely do it with one remote for much cheaper. Go down to Best Buy, hold them in your hand, see which ones you like, then buy it online cheaper

 

[superstar]

abboudc,

I've read the reviews online about the 880, some were complaining about not being able to recharge the remote in its cradle, have you encountered the same problem?

 

[abboudc]

abboudc,

I've read the reviews online about the 880, some were complaining about not being able to recharge the remote in its cradle, have you encountered the same problem?

On one of them. It's not so much that it won't charge, but it doesn't make good contact. Putting a piece of scotch tape on the bottom of the cradle fixed it (it elevated the bottom enough for the top to make good contact).

 

[speakerman39]

This the Harmony I have. Works great, no complaints.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B0003QER82/sr=1-1/qid=1172278841/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6720857-9329401?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Nick

Thanks Nick for the link. I will keep it in mind as I do not need anything fancy.

 

[speakerman39]

I think the choice depends entirely on your perspective and perhaps experience with various remotes. I will always vote for the URC remotes because I've used them and find them to be very good.

My personal reasons for not liking the Harmony remotes are:
- too many buttons spaced too closely together.
- reliance on web programming.

The URC remotes are maybe more tedious to set up but you can do pretty much whatever you want and for me that is a plus (programmer == control freak.)

Yeah noticed the buttons do look a bit cramped. But as John mentioned they sure do look nice. I will do a bit more research and see what I can get for my money. Thanks for the help.

 

[speakerman39]

I love my 880, it has to be one of the best things I've bought. I got it from JR Audio and it wasn't that expensive, it was over $100 less then I could find it locally and quite a bit less then other places online. I have 6 devices programmed in it and that's just the beginning.

T

Yeah J&R offers good service as I have bought several items from them in the past. However, the 880 is a bit more than I want to spend right now. It sire seems to be a very popular choice around various forums. Thanks for pointing that out regarding the 880 being less expensive at JR.com.

 

[speakerman39]

Only a programmer would use ==, and only another nerd would recognize that

I don't have anything else to add, but I do want a Universal remote, so I'm gonna keep track of this thread. I just don't have the budget now...for anything in my HT. But it will get the upgrade soon...oh yes...soon....

I can relate to budget woes to say the least. Heck I change to the inside lanes so that I use less gas and thus save money........LOL!!!!!! Just kidding I am NOT that tight-well at least NOT yet...........LOL!!!!!

 

[speakerman39]

Check out the used market, I just picked up a Harmony 880 for $120 shipped.

Dang Matt you got one heck of a deal there. I see you have the VTF-3.2. How is it working out for you??? Care to share your thoughts?? Darn just hi-jacked my own thread......LOL!!!!!