Unversal remote

[JohnnieB]

I'm looking at the Logitech Harmony line of remotes. On Ebay there are two different remotes listed as the Harmony One. Is the Ultimate newer than the One or vise-versa? Does anyone know which one is which? Which one is better? Photos to help with the confusion would be great. Thanks.

 

[fuzz092888]

Harmony Ultimate is newer. I have the Harmony One and like it, however I've heard good things about the Ultimate and would try it based on what I've heard. For the same money I'd go with the Ultimate.

 

[cpd]

The Harmony One is older than the Ultimate. I have a Harmony 900 and an Ultimate. The 900 is basically the same as a Harmony One, except the 900 has RF capability. The Ultimate design utilizes the touch screen for more functions than the older One/900 remotes. The One/900 have more hard buttons. Some people prefer one over the other.

The main advantage of the Ultimate over the One is that the Ultimate system is designed around a Hub. The Hub acts as both an RF receiver (so it can operate like the 900 and you can place components behind wood cabinet or closet doors) and also connects to your wi-fi network. The wi-fi functionality permits you to operate the system using an app on your iphone, ipad or android device. Although the functionality of the app is not as nice as the remote, it is great for use when your remote battery is charging.

 

[crossedover]

What level and type of control are you looking for, will dictate which system is best suited for you with harmony or any other vendor.

 

[JohnnieB]

My pre/pro has bluetooth, blu-ray, plasma, would be nice to also have it work lights, don't know if i can use it for pc, probably through Sonos, not sure. Also be able to use it on the bedroom system. Being able to use a smartphone app would be awesome. I may yet put the audio tower in another room, so flexibility is important. I figured the Harmony line would see me through most changes for quite a while. It looks like the ultimate is what I will go for. On e-bay things get mis-represented, and I just wanted to be sure which one I was looking at.

 

[cpd]

Logitech's website has a compatibility tool that will tell you whether your gear (including home automation and pc's) will work with the Harmony remotes. Follow this Link to find out for your gear.

 

[crossedover]

My pre/pro has bluetooth, blu-ray, plasma, would be nice to also have it work lights, don't know if i can use it for pc, probably through Sonos, not sure. Also be able to use it on the bedroom system. Being able to use a smartphone app would be awesome. I may yet put the audio tower in another room, so flexibility is important. I figured the Harmony line would see me through most changes for quite a while. It looks like the ultimate is what I will go for. On e-bay things get mis-represented, and I just wanted to be sure which one I was looking at.

At the very least you would consider the ultimate from harmony. If you expand past main room and simple Sonos consider URC, RTI, Control4, etc. Network IP and RS232 will give you flexibility for 2 way control (metadata and component state).

 

[JohnnieB]

As it turns out I have a control 4 dealer close to me. Looks like an in depth QA is in order. It seems a lot of the total home systems involve running cable that at this time isn't feasable. I live in a rental and tho we are doing some basic remodeling, it's nothing that involves complete home automation. The logitech with the wireless hub looked like more of a standalone add-on. Basic IR switches can be put in for lights and my gear can be run wirelessly. If I were doing a complete gut of the interior or a new build, definately. As I don't have any experience in home automation, there are a lot of areas I need to research yet. Thanks for all the input.

 

[crossedover]

That's a good place to start. Ask questions. I currently run 4 zones and the theater, lighting control for the theater and outside zones, control for jacuzzi, thermostat, and 1 large blind. The remotes (5) probably cost me 2100 (wholesale). So it wasn't cheap just for that hardware. Controllers another 1100. If your in an apartment you would be a fraction of that to achieve what you have described.