Rant: Logitech for ruining harmony remotes.

[dabuddha]

For my upstairs tv, I use the comcast remote to turn on the tv and cable box.
Downstairs though, the harmony one controls the tv, soundbar, cable box and access to my HTPC. Simple one button commands.

I do use my phone to change channels on my wife though just to be annoying.

haha Me too until she figured out wtf I was doing!

 

[Scarpozzi]

haha Me too until she figured out wtf I was doing!

I've been using a cheap Philips remote for my main tv room. I only switched to it from the standard directv remote because it had a windows remote code (for the xbox).

I hate paying for something with certain expectations and then be disappointed. I've stayed away from Harmony remotes because the value added to my entertainment just wasn't enough to compensate for the price.

 

[purbeast0]

i went with a mobile app + some hardware to control my ht this time around, instead of getting a harmony. my ipad won't fall apart like my previous harmony remote did, plus it's just much nicer of an interface and easier to use.

this is what i'm using now.

http://www.roomieremote.com/

 

[olds]

So which one should I get to run my home theater and htpc?

 

[NutBucket]

I can understand your frustration. Even for a techie programming the harmony wasn't terribly intuitive. But, once I got it working its excellent.

I can only imagine how much fun the average person would have trying to program the damned thing. They try to make it easy but somehow it just isn't.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I like my harmony remote.

I've only got one activity set up, but since I'm able to assign all the functions I need from all my devices to buttons within that activity, that's all I need. Other all-in-one remotes require switching back and forth between different devices to control them, but there is no switching back and forth with a harmony. The "Watch TV" activity changes channels with the HTPC, controls volume with the HT system, mutes with the HTPC (because it automatically turns on CC), has buttons I assigned to control the surround and sub woofer on the HT, and works with media center. It does all that without me needing to do anything but press "Watch TV" to get it all started.

I tried a lot of remotes before the harmony. None of them worked as well.

 

[bearxor]

I'm going to join in the Harmony hate. It's like Logitech bought them and decided that all of their customers were idiots and over simplified everything. I can't edit my sequences well enough to be really happy with it.

Thought about buying a URC, but they're just too expensive.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I've had 2 x 880's and a One. One 880 I used for ~7 years and gave it away for parts to a friend that needed it. It still worked but the volume buttons were hard to press.

The other 880 is a little newer but has still been in service a very long time, the only thing I had to do was replace the upper plastics because I cracked the old one after dropping it for the 1000th time. I technically didn't need to replace the plastics as it still worked fine, but the crack bothered me.

I've been using the One for about 4 years without problems. I was hesitent to make it my primary for awhile since I LOVED the 880, but I got used to the feel and like it just as much now.

Since I have my equipment memorized, which ports are used for what devices I can do a full re-program in minutes. I find it very easy to use.

The only thing I didn't like is I had to create a new account for each remote. That sucked because I also bought some 670s for family members and programmed them offsite. So at one point I had something like 6 accounts. Not sure if thats a problem anymore as I've only had to reprogram the One recently when I moved.

The 670 I got and programmed for my dad has been great. He has no clue how to switch inputs and doesn't even know what remote goes to what. He even calls his DVD player the VCR. I set that puppy up and all he has to do is hit one button to perform a task. If he forgets to keep it pointed and something doesn't turn on he's able to use the help guide and get it figured out. It's saved me from many trips to "fix the tv".

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I have had one 880 and two Harmony Ones (I bought the second one at a big discount at Costco and now use my old one as a backup when the new one is charging). I've also bought two 700s as gifts. For the most part I've been happy with them, though I agree the programming is something of a nuisance and the ergonomics of the 880 were a little shaky. I have enough devices that having a unified remote feels like a necessity to me, and there are not many feature-complete alternatives that are not pro-level expensive.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

ive been satisfied with my harmony, but feel that it could have been much much much better

 

[mugs]

Now that all of my devices have HDMI, I never have to change the input on my TV anymore. That eliminated the main reason I ever had a Harmony - needing to remember which TV input went with which receiver input. Now I just use my receiver for input switching and volume control and use my Apple TV remove (90% of the time) or cable box remote (10% of the time) to control their respective devices. I never liked the feel or button placement of my Harmony 880 anyway.

 

[wirednuts]

ive been satisfied with my harmony, but feel that it could have been much much much better

whats sad is the hardware IS ok. i dont really have a problem with the design or durability of these remotes.

its the software/support behind them.. their whole existence revolves around the community support, and that has always been there. but you need all 3 parts- the hardware, community support, and COMPANY support. logitech absolutely wet the bed on the last leg.

i am glad logitech is selling the division. hopefully a software company picks it up and revives them. they wouldnt need to change the hardware, just rewrite the firmwares and software to actually ADD functionality to a severly cripped system.

if i could do custom macros on my 300 i would sell these to my clients. but you cant, so trying to teach people how to use these remotes is just a joke.

 

[wirednuts]

I'm going to join in the Harmony hate. It's like Logitech bought them and decided that all of their customers were idiots and over simplified everything. I can't edit my sequences well enough to be really happy with it.

Thought about buying a URC, but they're just too expensive.

yup. and let me know if you find a decent macro remote. something with a simple layout, yet highly customizable.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I am not crazy about those harmony remotes. I find they don't last and are fairly hard to program. There is no competition yet they are not making money? This tells you a lot.

Apple should get in the market

Lol, no one wants a remote with just one button and it only works with Apple devices from 2013 and later.

 

[wirednuts]

Lol, no one wants a remote with just one button and it only works with Apple devices from 2013 and later.

nope.

i would want a company like google to buy up harmony. if that happened, you could almost expect an extremely good user experience.

 

[TerryMathews]

nope.

i would want a company like google to buy up harmony. if that happened, you could almost expect an extremely good user experience.

Dead God no. Google buys technology for patents and discards the carcass. Just look at SageTV.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Logitech's market segment is above cheap crap but still well within crap.

Logitech is one of the best peripheral vendors on the market.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I've been extremely pleased with my harmony one for the past few years.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Same, I just have a 670, but it works for what I need it for.

 

[ultimatebob]

I hope that someone can fix the Harmony brand. They used to be great remotes, but now they are overpriced and are extremely fragile.

Just one slip onto the floor, and your $200 Harmony One is a goner.

 

[Midwayman]

I hate them also. My $100 remote lasted like 6 months.

but I can't find an alternative

The URC stuff seem much more durable even if its a little harder to program. I replaced my 880 with a URC remote nearly half the price. It still has a color screen, illuminated buttons, and has been a hell of a lot more reliable.

 

[olds]

The URC stuff seem much more durable even if its a little harder to program. I replaced my 880 with a URC remote nearly half the price. It still has a color screen, illuminated buttons, and has been a hell of a lot more reliable.

Which one?

 

[Heller]

i just received my Logitech webcam that was FAR i only laid out $5.00 and i received it today boy is it better then i imagined for a FAR webcam, great resolution and just a simple usb plug and go, i also have a wireless keyboard from Logitech that takes 2 triple a batteries, i haven't replaced them in over a year and i use this keyboard everyday, and when i was a pc gamer, the Logitech mx510(or mx500 cant remember) was my favorite mouse, it did break once, and Logitech told me to throw it out and shipped me another replacement next day air, i have no complaints about Logitech, and i own a harmony remote, it was normally $100 but i got it for a steal at $20 bux its the Xbox 360 edition and yes its a very old model, but Ive never had to update the firmware and it was setup and go out the box easy to configure when i got it. guess its dumb luck.

 

[Midwayman]

Which one?

I have an r50 that I picked up for $60 new. Looks like prices have changed a bit. the r50 is discontinued it looks like and the replacement r40 is more expensive. Even at the same price at the harmony, I'd pick it up instead after all the issues I had with the harmony remotes I've owned.

 

[desiplaya4life]

can i just get this out of my system real fast?


FUCK. YOU. LOGITECH.

feel a little better.

i dont even feel like going into details. anyone that knew harmony remotes before the logitech buyout would get it.

the latest thing that pissed me off? i just wanted to add a command. one button for my stereo. thats it! so, i go to web page, login, select my remote, login again because it asked me to, click downloads, login again because it asked me to, select remote, login again because it asked me to, click downloads, login again because it asked me to, select remote, login again because it asked me to, click downloads, login again because it asked me to, select remote, login again because it asked me to, click downloads, login again because it asked me to, select remote, login again because it asked me to, click downloads, login again because it asked me to, select remote

yes. i am insane. because there is no way logitech could utterly destroy a brand this bad. last time i updated my 680 remote it updated the firmware and PERMANENTLY disabled the green start button. permanently. no way back. logitechs solution? buy a newer model. it was only an $80 remote at the time. no big deal.

this time i have the 300, and i cant even log into the god damn home page to download the shitty software to update this shitty remote. fuck you logitech, for everything you did to harmony remotes. it was a grand idea that took off with a flying start, and you destroyed it. PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT MACROS, YOU SHIT FUCKS.

#getevenbro