Want a new universal remote

[Fingolfin269]

I hate it. The ergonomics have always sucked and lately the button presses have been very unresponsive. So, it's time to move on to something bigger and better. I actually like the Harmony brand so I don't mind staying with that. My requirements are to be able to have functionality for the norm: TV, Receiver, Comcast HD box/DVR, 360, and (soon) some blu-ray player, probably the PS3.

Any ideas? I don't want to go too crazy on the cost so let's keep the color touch screens out of the discussion. $150ish max would be ideal but I may consider going up a little higher if I can be assured of less hassle.

*EDIT* Scratch the PS3 requirement as I suppose this will not be directly supported by any remote.

 

[iRONic]

The 880 can be had for ~$125 occasionally depending on promos and coupons available. Check dell.com

There's an IR thingo for the PS3 available that the 880 can control.

 

[NaOH]

I saw the 5xx series on clearance at target for 54 bucks. go check it out if you want to save

 

[erwos]

Harmony One off eBay.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
*EDIT* Scratch the PS3 requirement as I suppose this will not be directly supported by any remote.

Just get an Infrared to Bluetooth adapter for your PS3:

http://ir2bt.com/

 

[Fingolfin269]

Thanks for the replies. I already have. 5xx and hate it. Should have put that in the op since I just discovered mobile at doesn't show the sub title.

 

[Quasmo]

Get the 880 I'm pretty sure its the best remote ever made. Besides the 890.

 

[sivart]

I have both the 880 and 550. The 880 is better, but the number buttons are still not that great on the 880. If the 550's number buttons came in at 3 (out of 10), the 880 would be about a 6. I'm hoping one of my will crap out to give me an excuse to buy the Harmony One.

I've also used the older 659. It may not have as many dedicated buttons or a color screen, but the number buttons I would rank a 8 of 10. I would pick the 659 over any of the 5XX series any day.

 

[Project86]

I had a 520 and absolutely despised it. I switched to a URC remote for a year or so. Recently tried again on a Harmony 620 (Costco version of the 659) and love it. Much much better ergonomically, quality gemstone type buttons like the URC remotes use, better build quality, etc. Was $50 with coupon at Costco, not sure if that deal is still around.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I just checked the version and yes, this is also the pos 520 I have. Can't wait to go office space on this thing. Ok slight overkill there I guess.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I just checked the version and yes, this is also the pos 520 I have. Can't wait to go office space on this thing. Ok slight overkill there I guess.

I wish I understood what you're all whining about, I have the 520 and I love it. It does everything I want it to do, and when my dog ate one, it was so cheap to replace that I could still afford bullets for the dog!

 

[sivart]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I just checked the version and yes, this is also the pos 520 I have. Can't wait to go office space on this thing. Ok slight overkill there I guess.

I wish I understood what you're all whining about, I have the 520 and I love it. It does everything I want it to do, and when my dog ate one, it was so cheap to replace that I could still afford bullets for the dog!

The really small number buttons. My hands aren't huge, but I still miss hit the buttons quite often (I.e. hit 2 at a time)

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: sivart

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I just checked the version and yes, this is also the pos 520 I have. Can't wait to go office space on this thing. Ok slight overkill there I guess.

I wish I understood what you're all whining about, I have the 520 and I love it. It does everything I want it to do, and when my dog ate one, it was so cheap to replace that I could still afford bullets for the dog!

The really small number buttons. My hands aren't huge, but I still miss hit the buttons quite often (I.e. hit 2 at a time)

This. Plus it is sometimes unresponsive (could be due to age though) and I don't really find the button presses to be very ergonomical. You basically have to press them at a certain angle.

I'm talking to someone about a used Harmony One right now. I've read good things about it!

 

[TKE899]

I just got the Harmony One and I must say this remote is very good. It is far from perfect but still is worth trying to find a good deal on. It is the slim chassis version with touch pad. The 880 while still a good model to compare to is the old chassis version. IMO the H1 is the way to go.
If you look hard enough you can find one for about $125 brand new.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: TKE899
I just got the Harmony One and I must say this remote is very good. It is far from perfect but still is worth trying to find a good deal on. It is the slim chassis version with touch pad. The 880 while still a good model to compare to is the old chassis version. IMO the H1 is the way to go.
If you look hard enough you can find one for about $125 brand new.

$125?! Dayum...

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: TKE899
I just got the Harmony One and I must say this remote is very good. It is far from perfect but still is worth trying to find a good deal on. It is the slim chassis version with touch pad. The 880 while still a good model to compare to is the old chassis version. IMO the H1 is the way to go.
If you look hard enough you can find one for about $125 brand new.

I was in Best Buy over the weekend just to get my hands on both remotes and the main feature I liked about the H1 over the 880 were the buttons. The volume/channel buttons on the 880 looked like something I would definitely get annoyed with eventually.

Where can I find this for somewhere near $125 brand new?