Logitech Harmony suggestions

[acole1]

My birthday is coming up soon, and I have been wanting a Logitech Harmony remote.

Right now my components I want to control are an older Sony receiver for my audio, a digital over the air TV tuner box, an older Mitsubishi TV, a DVD player, and an HTPC running Vista MCE. Note: all these components are likely to change in the next 3 months (except for the MC).

I would like a remote that can control all this, be flexible, and easy to use. I want just one remote for everything. My only experience with them is one my friend has (an 880 I think) and it seems to work really well for his system.

Is the Harmony the way to go? Which one would you suggest?

Thanks!

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I have the Harmony One, and it's awesome.

The 880/890 you can get RF instead of IR, but lose the touch screen which I happen to like. Any of the Harmony remotes will work though, just the 880/890/One all will give you the ability to do more. I'd stick with those 3 if I could.

 

[acole1]

Are there any particular price points I should be looking for?

NE has a recertified 880 IR for $109 with free shipping. Is that a good deal?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

yeah it's warmish.

The 880 IIRC sold around $175 new, and as long as you don't mind refurbs then it's pretty good price. Sub $100 is when it gets hot, but $109 shipped for a refurb is about average when I was looking a few months back.

 

[sivart]

I bought my 880 back in 2006 for $125, so $109 is okay. Get the Harmony One, the buttons are better.

I have the 880 and the 520. I'd rate the buttons (especially numbers) on the 880 about a 4 (out of 10) and about a 2 on the 520.

Just avoid the 510 as I think it is limited to 5 devices. The old 659 doesn't have hard keys for your skip / replay (just fast forward and rewind), so if you have a DVR (I.e. Vista MCE) I'd avoid that one.

I have programmed my Vista MCE into my 520 and it works well, just need a little tweaking yet.

 

[Slick5150]

Logitech puts rebates out on the 880 fairly often, which then allows you to grab one for around $80 AR.. Otherwise you might want to check eBay for people unloading one there..

I got a good deal on the Harmony One recently (paid about $130 for it). I really like it a lot. Its an improvement over the 880, but usually sells for over $200 and I don't think its worth it at that price over the 880.

 

[kalrith]

Buydig.com had a new 880 for $99.99 shipped a few weeks ago. It's $129 shipped now: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=LTHR800UR.

Ecost has it for about $110 shipped new: http://www.ecost.com/Detail.aspx?edp=42788588

 

[kgokal]

I have the 550, and it goes for $50, well worth it for entry level, and does everything i'd need it to do.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I wouldn't pay more for the later models unless you need IR functionality. I have a 550 and a 670, and they are great for me.

There is very little difference in functionality in the Harmony line.

 

[Eug]

I don't like the layout of the 880, nor its size, nor the fact that it needs to be recharged.

I own the Xbox 360 version, which is similar to the 550. In fact, I own three Harmony 360 remotes.

 

[acole1]

How long to the batteries last on the 550 or other non-rechargeable ones?

 

[Rio Rebel]

They last well. I don't have to recharge them very often.

I actually prefer the non-rechargeable ones, because I don't want to have to leave the remote in a cradle near a plug.

 

[SoulAssassin]

My 880 goes 2-3 weeks without being recharged, it's not like you have to leave it in there every night.

 

[sivart]

Originally posted by: acole1
How long to the batteries last on the 550 or other non-rechargeable ones?

My 880 stays on the charger in the theater room when not in use, so not sure there.

My 550 is nearly 3 years old and I'm on my 3rd set of batteries. So I have been getting about 9-10 months per set of batteries.

 

[dwell]

Had the Harmony 550, 1000, and One and the Harmony One is the best remote I've ever owned hands down.

 

[imported_Mike]

I have the 880, love it. My roommate has the 890, loves it. My buddy has the 1000 and loves it.

The 890 comes with RF which is nice.

I would get the 880/890 or wait and get the 1100 if you want touch screen.

 

[bigsnyder]

The 720 is nice if you like the style of the 520 and 550. The 720 has a color LCD and comes with a rechargeable battery and charging base.

 

[Kanalua]

I've got to put in another word for the Harmony One. Great remote, customizable touchscreen (add your favorite channels), smooth recharger station. If you still have a circuit city in your area still open, you can get a Harmony One for cheap (around the price of Amazon).

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
I wouldn't pay more for the later models unless you need IR functionality. I have a 550 and a 670, and they are great for me.

There is very little difference in functionality in the Harmony line.

lol, i think you mean RF functionality :beer:

 

[zod96]

How is the harmony 720? Too me it seems like the harmony one's little brother. I want something that has a color screen and a rechargeable batter.

 

[iRONic]

Harmony One - NIB - $180

 

[zod96]

I wish I could get the Harmony One for under $160 then I would be all over it. I just can't justify spending $200 on a remote....

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: zod96
I wish I could get the Harmony One for under $160 then I would be all over it. I just can't justify spending $200 on a remote....

I think someone over at the "deal" websites said CC has them for ~$150. Not sure if you have a CC near you or what tax would be in your state but it might be worth a look.

 

[zod96]

Dam :-( They just closed the last CC by me last weekend. I knew I should have gone over their...

 

[sivart]

Originally posted by: de8212

Originally posted by: zod96
I wish I could get the Harmony One for under $160 then I would be all over it. I just can't justify spending $200 on a remote....

I think someone over at the "deal" websites said CC has them for ~$150. Not sure if you have a CC near you or what tax would be in your state but it might be worth a look.

They had them 30% off MSRP (not 30% off original CC price because that went away when the liquidators took over). I was there last night and they were $175 + tax. No returns, good luck.