New Remote

[Highbar]

So, my Harmony 880 is crapping the bed a little more every day. It doesn't like to charge, some of the buttons don't work all the time, you know the deal. Well I contacted Logitech and they said they couldn't service or warranty it, but they could give me 50% off any remote from the website.

Now here is where my dilemma begins. With this discount I could get a Harmony One for about $125 plus shipping and what not. But, I'm not sure if I want to get another Harmony or try something different.

That's where URC comes in (thank you Audioholics for showing me them) Right now I could get a R50 from Amazon (their online dealer) for less than $100, or possibly the MX-450 for $250 but since it's RF I would also need to get a base and all that. I don't see myself needing RF anytime soon so I'm pretty sure it's going to be between the One and the R50. The R50 is a consumer URC where as the MX-450 is part of their pro line.

Which do you guys think I should go with?

Here are some links so no one has to search for them
Harmony One
R50
MX-450

 

[BMXTRIX]

The MX-450 is IR and/or RF, it is not limited to RF only.

Just wanted to make your situation worse, but I personally love the URC lineup.

 

[jostenmeat]

I feel you on Harmony, and the 880 in particular. My opinion on the matter is probably the most polar, among the members here, but I will never buy or recommend Harmony. Again, I want to reiterate that I'm on the extreme end of impressions. I've programmed a few Harmony's, and retired my 520. Of which the play button was already dying after a year. I've programmed the 880 as well, and yeah, that has got to be the worst charging dock design ever created by mankind.

OTOH, try to find people who have programmed and/or owned both, and still prefer Harmony.

I think the best value is below. Might as well get the base station in this combo. RF is so nice. The IR and RF are shot out simultaneously.

http://www.amazon.com/RFS200-PowerPak-Bundle-MasterControl-PowerBlaster/dp/B000FL9E6U

I suppose you could get both a URC, and a new Harmony, and sell the loser. Pass the rebate savings on to a friend or something, I dunno.

The R50 does look nice, but no RF.

 

[jostenmeat]

bandphan, where did your post go, LOL.

"As the R50 has no RF capabilities for through-the-wall control, the performance of its infrared emitters is all that much more important."

omg, the remote central review is 12 pages long, and I found it on the last page.

http://www.remotecentral.com/reviews/urc_r50/index12.htm

 

[bandphan]

bandphan, where did your post go, LOL.

"As the R50 has no RF capabilities for through-the-wall control, the performance of its infrared emitters is all that much more important."

omg, the remote central review is 12 pages long, and I found it on the last page.

http://www.remotecentral.com/reviews/urc_r50/index12.htm

Picked the harp back up. We didn't sell the 50. So I had to double check.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Giving URC a try, thanks Josten

I feel you on Harmony, and the 880 in particular. My opinion on the matter is probably the most polar, among the members here, but I will never buy or recommend Harmony. Again, I want to reiterate that I'm on the extreme end of impressions. I've programmed a few Harmony's, and retired my 520. Of which the play button was already dying after a year. I've programmed the 880 as well, and yeah, that has got to be the worst charging dock design ever created by mankind.

I have read several similar complaints on the 880, and I do not discount any of the experiences or reports. However, my experience using an 880 for over 2 1/2+ years has only been positive, even in regards to the charging dock. My 880 is used in a dedicated HT, not an everyday, high-use application, maybe that is why it has not given me any problems, I do not know?

I think the best value is (the RFS200). Might as well get the base station in this combo. RF is so nice. The IR and RF are shot out simultaneously.

Josten,
Thanks for suggesting the RFS200 to the OP. It sounded interesting enough (and inexpensive enough!) to order one from Amazon to use in my downstairs rig, where RF would be a nice addition to allow control from two outdoor zones and a non line-of-sight (but well in hearing range) kitchen area. Waiting for the UPS truck is the worst part.

Soon I will be another person ". . . who have programmed and/or owned both, . . ." and I look forward to seeing which is better. I am by no means "sold" on only using Harmony products, although it was such an improvement over the "stack-o-remotes" it made a very favorable impression.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[Highbar]

I love this site... Every time I narrow something down I get more ideas and suggestions...

Yeah it's great.. Just more reading to do now. I'll be back latter with a final winner.

 

[highfigh]

My opinion on the matter is probably the most polar, among the members here, but I will never buy or recommend Harmony.

Not by a long shot.

 

[highfigh]

Some of the new URC have red back lighting and it's almost impossible to read the display in low light. The contrast can be varied but not enough.

The MX-500 is still available if you don't need RF but personally, I would go with the MX-850 (PC programmable) or the MX-880 (PC programming, easy to read in any kind of light and very flexible in it's setup. It's also RF capable.

These aren't in the low price range, like the RF-30/40/50 but they are easier to setup and modify.

 

[jostenmeat]

I have read several similar complaints on the 880, and I do not discount any of the experiences or reports. However, my experience using an 880 for over 2 1/2+ years has only been positive, even in regards to the charging dock. My 880 is used in a dedicated HT, not an everyday, high-use application, maybe that is why it has not given me any problems, I do not know?

Ya know, I think they did eventually revamp the design, since so many became faulty, so quickly. I can't remember, but... someone here might have said once that you could have traded the dock in with some trade program at one point? Regardless, I'm glad yours works!

The RF20 is very inexpensive, and that's why it's popular; great value. But as highfigh points out, pricier models offer more. Interestingly, the more that people work with remotes, the more they seem to really believe in spending on a nice one. Well, I think, if I'm correct in my impressions, that's how bandphan and BMX think. They've probably programmed hundreds of remotes!

Waiting for the UPS truck is the worst part.

Amazon Prime!! combined with one-click ordering might send you to the poor house, pronto. haha. it's like $80 for the year (or cancel within 3 month trial period or something) and everything they sell directly becomes 2-day shipped.

Soon I will be another person ". . . who have programmed and/or owned both, . . ." and I look forward to seeing which is better. I am by no means "sold" on only using Harmony products, although it was such an improvement over the "stack-o-remotes" it made a very favorable impression.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

Obviously, there are many who think Harmony is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I've read of one particular user who preferred it to his former Pronto. YMMV.

 

[newb]

Urc Mx 650

I have the 650, reviews said it was robust, has nice backlighting via button, fairly no frills and has a slight learning curve for programming but it was inexpensive on amazon (about 120$) and it works fine. A bit big for my hands but most of the URCs are. Check it out.

 

[XEagleDriver]

RF20 arrived, but I'm stuck at work

. . . The RF20 is very inexpensive, and that's why it's popular; great value. . .

Just got a call from home, the RF20 from Amazon arrived
but, I am stuck at work for the next six hours

Well, at least I know what I will be doing this evening!

XEagleDriver

 

[XEagleDriver]

RF20 first impressions

Got to work with the RF20 this past weekend.

The remote's feel/balance and fit-n-finish are better than the 880. The button layout is also better (probably more along the lines of a Harmony 1--although at significantly less $$).

Getting used to the programming routing, it is completely different than the Harmony method, but is logical and easy to learn.

Found the following leasons learned in the process:

1) Began with the auto load. It worked OK--I found compatible (if incomplete) loads for an older Sony DVD and Toshiba TV. Curiously it did not have a compatible Yamaha 563 AVR load.

2) After that step, to customize/correct the control buttons the best routine I came up with was: Edit Text for LCD buttons, use Learn to teach the LCD buttons as needed, use Edit Page to hide pages not needed.

3) Standardizing the LCD buttons across the various components made for a family friendly set-up. I.e. first LCD page for each component was set to use the 563's "Scene" feature (turns 563 on, sets inputs, and selects proper audio program), second LCD page set to control the TV's basic features, third LCD page set to provide buttons not replicated on the main remote (like DVD Repeat), etc.

4) Watch carefully which page you are modifiying. I ended up with a couple strange arrangements like having LCD pages 1, 4, & 5 because I didn't watch ir carefully enough--still easy to use and I invested too much time to redo for now.

Have not had a chance to work with the RF part yet--looking forward to setting that up.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[aberkowitz]

I'm a Harmony One user and have been since the remote came out. It's my second Harmony remote (I have a 670 that was retired to the bedroom), and I've never had any complaints. I can understand complaints that certain power users might have with Harmony products if they need extreme customization of multiple sources, but for 99% of what I'm trying to do at home (e.g. Watch TV, Watch a movie, Play a Game, Listen to Music) the One works just fine, holds a pretty good charge, and almost never has problems turning on/off components and getting settings right.

As somebody else mentioned earlier (Josten?), I would just go ahead and buy both, particularly since you have the credit from Harmony, and either return/sell the one you don't like.

 

[Highbar]

Pretty sure I'm going to go with the R50, just need to have a good night at work. Just had to buy new seat covers for my Jeep, so that took my remote money

 

[MDS]

2) After that step, to customize/correct the control buttons the best routine I came up with was: Edit Text for LCD buttons, use Learn to teach the LCD buttons as needed, use Edit Page to hide pages not needed.

That's pretty much the way I do it minus the step of starting with the pre-programmed codes. I label every button and then learn all of them in one sitting.

3) Standardizing the LCD buttons across the various components made for a family friendly set-up. I.e. first LCD page for each component was set to use the 563's "Scene" feature (turns 563 on, sets inputs, and selects proper audio program), second LCD page set to control the TV's basic features, third LCD page set to provide buttons not replicated on the main remote (like DVD Repeat), etc.

Good idea. I have various receiver functions I use a lot, like Late Nite mode, on the first LCD page of every device and they are always on the same buttons. It is very easy to learn where all the buttons are so you can use it totally by feel. I often fall asleep on the couch and I can reach for the remote with my eyes closed and shut the system off.

4) Watch carefully which page you are modifiying. I ended up with a couple strange arrangements like having LCD pages 1, 4, & 5 because I didn't watch ir carefully enough--still easy to use and I invested too much time to redo for now.

Been there, done that. I think it is because it seems natural to press the down page button but if on page 1, it will take you to page 5. The page buttons are obviously (to me at least) implemented as a circular queue.

 

[tbergman]

I was wondering if any of you guys know if the RF20 can handle the discrete on/off for my Onkyo receiver and all the other direct function modes.

 

[jostenmeat]

I was wondering if any of you guys know if the RF20 can handle the discrete on/off for my Onkyo receiver and all the other direct function modes.

Yes, of course. I failed to mention that I only used the learning method, as I was advised previously by MDS.

Put remotes facing each other. Hit the button on URC you wish to program. It immediately says ready. Click function on original, one-one-thousand, done. It honestly took less than 5 minutes to program for me, per macro. However, I did not need more than one page for my uses.

I have functions like "DRC" (to disable autoflagged DRC from TrueHD on Onkyo), or THX to cycle thru matrixing algorithms, stuff like that.

IOW, if your original can emit an IR signal for the function you want, the RF20 will accept it. The gravy is that it will output as RF as well.

 

[tbergman]

I just picked up the RF20 from audioholics store for $40 after the SAVE50 code, didn't get the RF/IR blaster yet but it's also in the SAVE50 area and only $30 after savings so I might pick it up down the road.

Not trying to derail, just thought I'd throw this out there because with free shipping it's cheaper than Amazon and maybe a good choice for others reading this post and maybe not wanting to drop the change on the other more expensive remotes mentioned.