What universal remote do you like?

[UFObuster]

This is not a price-is-no-object question.
What is a good 'reasonably' priced universal remote for a/v systems (tv, pre/pro, tuner,DVD players). Do you have to spend more than $200?

Thanks for your info and opinion.
PS, I have Rotel products with 'adequate' remotes but not great.

 

[Matt34]

I'm a big fan of the Logitech Harmony remotes as evident by the 520, 659 and 880 models I have throughout the house.

Harmony newest release is the 1000..

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/373&cl=us,en

I know a few folks here that prefer the Home Theater Master remotes.

 

[bmann]

uinversal 350

I've had the osiris universal 350 for about a year now, and it's fantastic. I don't use the IR yet, but it has it. It's fairly easy to set up and makes everything easy. I saw one for about $100 on amazon.

 

[MDS]

I second the HTM MX-350, it's what I have. An MX-350 plus the MRF-200 RF basestation will run around $250.

 

[gus6464]

Is no one a fan of Sony Remote Commanders? I have had my RM-2500 for over 4 years now and it's great. It's a big square but the IR sensor on it is superb.

 

[Geno]

I have a Harmony 659 as well as a MX-350. For my wife, the Harmony is the way to go. Costco has a Harmony 720 right now for about $120.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Come on - www.crestron.com - It gets no better.

Oh, wait - you said price was a factor.

Home Theater Master/Universal Remote Control products are top notch and very well received are the Harmony remote controls from Logitech.

Pick one - and the more expensive models tend to offer a bit more functionality, but not a ton more.

 

[Hi Ho]

I used a Harmony 688 for two years until I got a URC MX-900 from work. I had to sign on as a programmer just to get the updatable software with the IR database but I love the remote. It has more functionality than the Harmony and I like the button layout better. I also have an MRF-350 RF base station so the macros are very reliable. I considered the MX-950 but I found I liked the button layout better on the 900.

 

[Alexhunter27]

definitely a harmony remote. it's easy to use and looks good as well

 

[sholling]

Harmony 880, I have two at home.

 

[corey]

I have a Harmony H659 & it's great for everything except TV. The lag time is unacceptable when you use a DVR.

 

[Hi Ho]

I have a Harmony H659 & it's great for everything except TV. The lag time is unacceptable when you use a DVR.

You can fix that by changine the inter-key delay. I had the same problem but after changing that setting to the lowest possible (can't remember the number) I had no problems with my Tivo.

Speaking of lag time. That is the one caveat I have noticed with the MX-900. It has a very slight lag between key presses and there is no adjustment for it. I have gotten used to it and it no longer bothers me but for a while I was a little annoyed.

 

[Davemcc]

I originally got the Harmony 1000, but it has limited user-friendliness due to not having many direct access buttons. It's cool and trendy, but it was a pain having to scroll through pages of menus to operate simple functions. I prefer the 659 that I have now.

 

[supervij]

I absolutely love my Harmony 676. I tried out the 880, but didn't like the feel of the buttons nor the layout either. The 676 has everything laid out perfectly, and the buttons feel like buttons. I wish it came with a docking station; that's the only thing I don't like about the 676, but rechargeable batteries are not really a problem.

cheers,
supervij

 

[abboudc]

I love the Harmony 880. You can get it online for around $150.