Which Harmony remote to get?

[MichaelD]

I've grown tired of trying to program the AVR's remote to work the DVD's remote and you can get play and fast forward but not stop.

You get the idea. I've got 5 remotes on the table and one giant PITA every time I want to switch sources.

I need Harmony. But which one? They range from about $80 to $300+.

AFAIK, they are ALL programmable via USB/Internet for codes, correct?

Thanks!

 

[Shadowknight]

Get the 880. You can sometimes get it refurbished at place like Amazon for under $100.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, Shadowknight; I've been looking at the 880. The fact it's rechargable is nice. The color screen looks a lot better than just text based tags too. The big 1000 model is nice touchscreen!) but not for $500. Besides, there don't seem to be too many reviews out of it yet.

 

[M0R0NI]

I have been looking at 880 also. I just havent been able to make the leap yet. It seems like so much money for a remote.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I have the 676 here, upgraded from a 520. The 676 was a substantial improvement over the 520. I did not like the keys / num pad on the 8xx line, so I went with the 6xx line.

Best remote that I have ever owned.

 

[Deinonych]

I have a 676 as well. I liked the button layout better than the 880, personally. But, the 880 is a very nice remote nonetheless, especially with the color display.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

newegg sells the 880 for $160, compared to logitech and best buy at $250 - $300

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you get the 880 and have charging problems with it, try this
http://dan.langille.org/2005/1...mote-battery-problems/

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
If you get the 880 and have charging problems with it, try this
http://dan.langille.org/2005/1...mote-battery-problems/

I'm going to have to drain my battery, to see if I have this problem.

 

[Shawn]

I have the 720 and it's great. I think it's been discontinued so you might be able to find it cheap. It has a color display like the 880. I haven't used the 880 but it looks pretty nice too. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks much for relaying your personal experiences with Harmony remotes; it always helps to hear "customer testimonials." I definitely need a universal remote; these things are multiplying on my coffee table at an astronomical rate! :Q

But of course, Newegg's OOS on the 880...which didn't show until I tried to put it in my cart. Just my luck. :roll:

I'll see how much MWave wants for it.

Thanks again!

With MWave it wound up being $12 more, shipped. It's on the way. I hope it's everything it's cracked up to be; that's a lot of money for a remote.

 

[Throckmorton]

Circuit City has one supposedly for Xbox 360 that costs about $20, but it seems to have all the normal Harmony functionality...

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Circuit City has one supposedly for Xbox 360 that costs about $20, but it seems to have all the normal Harmony functionality...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

Where did you get $20?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Tegeril

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Circuit City has one supposedly for Xbox 360 that costs about $20, but it seems to have all the normal Harmony functionality...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

Where did you get $20?

Sears had it on sale for $20 a few months back on clearance, my local one did not have it, but the deal existed at one point. I believe it was just a rebranded Harmony 550.

 

[RossMAN]

Although the Harmony 880/890 are all the rage, they're just too much for me.

My perfect remote would be smaller, not rechargeable with tactile buttons, DVR friendly and under $100.

Last year I bought a Harmony 670 for $89 after rebate, it's perfect for my needs.

 

[MichaelD]

They all share the same code database, I'm sure. But I figured the newer one would be sure to work with my weird brand (Vestel) sat box. So, I got the 880. If it does everything it's supposed to I'll be very happy.

*edit*

RossMAN, you'll be proud of me. I found this page on Logitech's site which gives you a 10% MIR just for playing their little "did I win?" game. Nobody ever wins, but I took the MIR, thanks very much. For me, that's a $15.60 rebate check.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
They all share the same code database, I'm sure. But I figured the newer one would be sure to work with my weird brand (Vestel) sat box. So, I got the 880. If it does everything it's supposed to I'll be very happy.

*edit*

RossMAN, you'll be proud of me. I found this page on Logitech's site which gives you a 10% MIR just for playing their little "did I win?" game. Nobody ever wins, but I took the MIR, thanks very much. For me, that's a $15.60 rebate check.

That's not true, I won 2 free movie tickets playing that game. Sadly, there is nothing I want to see out now, and I have to use them by the end of next month.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Tegeril

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Circuit City has one supposedly for Xbox 360 that costs about $20, but it seems to have all the normal Harmony functionality...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

Where did you get $20?

Sears had it on sale for $20 a few months back on clearance, my local one did not have it, but the deal existed at one point. I believe it was just a rebranded Harmony 550.

It was $20 or $30 at CC last time I went there. Maybe it was a price mistake.. I know the price was really for the Harmony remote, because I thought the price was way too low. I knew I should have bought one.

 

[SmoochyTX]

I have the 880 and I love it. It did take me awhile (a week or so) to get used to the buttons and their layout but now I can easily handle it in the dark. Yes, even without tilting it to get the backlight to come on! LOL

 

[slsmnaz]

Got the 880 for xmas from the g/f and love it. Saw our local Compusa had them on sale for about $130 last time I was there.

 

[MichaelD]

:thumbsup: for the positive reviews of the 880. The total backlighting was a selling point for me. I'm hoping the rechargable batts last a long time b/t charges. Some of my remotes have had the same batteries for a year and they still work like the batts are new.

How long does it hold a charge for you guys? Or do you just put it back in the cradle every night?

 

[imported_cinder]

I have a few problems with my 880. I have to hit the 9 key really hard for it to work (minor issue but annoying) and the worst thing about this damn remote is the charging base. It sits on the base very funny and picks and chooses when it wants to charge itself. I usually sit my 880 on the charger overnight. It keeps the charge for a few weeks with pretty heavy usage before needed to be charged again. Overall I love the remotes functions but the minor flaws are kind of annoying but can be dealt with.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
:thumbsup: for the positive reviews of the 880. The total backlighting was a selling point for me. I'm hoping the rechargable batts last a long time b/t charges. Some of my remotes have had the same batteries for a year and they still work like the batts are new.

How long does it hold a charge for you guys? Or do you just put it back in the cradle every night?

I sold my 880 because it was huge and my CostCo Kirkland alkaline batteries (rebadged Duracell) usually last a year.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Tegeril

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Circuit City has one supposedly for Xbox 360 that costs about $20, but it seems to have all the normal Harmony functionality...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

Where did you get $20?

Sears had it on sale for $20 a few months back on clearance, my local one did not have it, but the deal existed at one point. I believe it was just a rebranded Harmony 550.

Yup, I got it for that price from Best Buy (price match).

The Xbox 360 Remote is great...exactly what I needed. Got rid of so many remotes.