help on what to pick for the wife to use in a remote.

[mtbmtb01]

my terk unit went out so i'm looking at different options to control the onkyo 606, directv hd box (no dvr) and a samsung bdp 2550 or 2500 (if i can find one at the right price) in the closet behind the tv.
i was going to get the Next Generation Remote Control Extender with 2 Extra RF Transmitter and still have the 3 remotes (+ tv one which works without the extender) but now i'm thinking of just getting the extender and a Harmony Advanced Universal Remote.
this is for the bedroom and my wife. i was thinking about a Harmony 670 or 680 but after looking though the posts, i'm not sure if i want a 500 or 600 series. looks like the 500 may be easier to manage and not quite so confusing for her. the 510 might be the easiest thing to operate and it's only $50.
i would need one that still works on standard batteries for the extender to work and didn't want to spent alot. any suggestions

 

[Davemcc]

My wife loves her Harmony 550 but I broke it. Our 659 is still performing well. I would recommend either choice.

 

[Nomo]

http://www.dealmonger.com/Logitech-Harmony-520-Universal-Remote-Control-USB-P438825C0.aspx

Good price on the 520, $36, but I've never heard of the company.

 

[mtbmtb01]

i can get a Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Remote control for $44.99 shipped or Logitech Harmony 676 Universal Remote - $44.99 + $7 shipping. both are Refurbished or i could go the china ebay route and maybe get it cheaper. any suggestions on the 550 vs the 676? i like the 676 and it says one button to press what you want to do, but i thought the 550 might fit my wife's hands better.

 

[Davemcc]

550 has way higher wife appeal and functionally, they are about the same. $45??? Go for it.

 

[jostenmeat]

mtbmtb01.

Please consider this combo pack, URC RF20 + blaster, replete with emitter wires.

Midcow2 and strube have bought them on my rec. You can ask them q's too. The DID need the RF, like I did, but it's naturally IR/RF. You can use the blaster at another time, when you find it convenient, and simply use it as an IR remote.

Then again, the remote by itself is $50 or so. I highly recommend trying the RF function. After having it for the first time, I'm never going back, especially because it's so darn affordable.

I've used for a good while the Harmony 520. Looks just about identical to the 550. IMO, there is no comparison, the URC is the hands down winner. Even my tech-retard friends who aren't into HT hated my old remote, if they tried to use it.

It's more fool proof, easier to program, less time to program, easier to tweak, less time to tweak, bigger buttons, weighter solid feel, backlight is not automatically required during use, which itself is programmable between 1-99 seconds or something like that . . .

This is my opinion, and after you read around, I'm sure you will find the right choice.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The Harmony remotes are really popular, but the URC models are very reliable and tend to work very well for a long time with buttons that people seem to really like the feel of. I personally had a client who had a Harmony for 2 years, while his GF had a URC. When he moved, he let me know that he really prefered the URC remote after being able to use both for a long time.