Selecting a Harmony Universal Remote

[tanstaaf1]

Obviously Harmony has no serious competition in the Universal Remote market. So I'd like to buy a Harmony, but I can't find any clear description of what the tradeoffs really are. Yeah, I've searched cocoontech and gone to the harmony site to see their imo too-long list of remotes:

Logitech: Harmony Remotes

Yeah, I get that the 890 is an 880 with zwave added. Yeah, I see that the 880 has a nice color screen.

Is the color screen that important or is this mainly an aesthetics thing? Below the 880 there is a confusing gaggle of devices and, except for the xbox 360, there is little obvious differentiation I can see in function. Indeed, although the xbox 360 remote is obviously targeted at xbox 360 owners, I am unclear if it has any functionality that can't be programmed into one of the less designer remotes.

The 680 is specially bylined as "The media center PC remote". Does it actually do anything the remotes "below" it can't do? Does it do anything the remotes "above" it can't do?

Here's the list:

890 - 880 w/ zwave, I think
880 - nice color screen
unnumbered - "xbox 360"
520
688
676
680 - "The media center PC remote"
659
628

I *believe* that all can be programmed to control near any device via web download. If so, I've really got to question why they have so many models instead of maybe 3 or 4 with clear differentiation in function.

I regard this as brand confusion and I regard brand confusion as a near penultimate marketing mistake. Speaking for myself, when I am presented with this level of confusion I get frustrated and don't buy anything...or may buy something and then be *really* angry if it doesn't turn out to be the best choice. Either way, my opinion of the company goes down quite a bit. I don't much like being "put in a round room and being told to go pee in a corner."

Can anyone here sort out this mess or amorphous marketing messages for me?

I MAY want an 880 for the color screen IF this actually makes the remote much more usable.

Below this, if there are really no vital functional differences, I'm more tempted to get one that is least expensive so I can feel okay about getting 3 or 4 of them (so I can spread them around or carry them about without finding myself without).

Now, one feature I *would* pay extra for - but I don't think is offered - a "come when I whistle feature"! I am forever hunting for my glasses and my remote control.

 

[tanstaaf1]

I just sent a copy of the post to logitech and invited them to comment here.

Their website is pretty confusing, as well - maybe this is just a naturally very confusing company that likes to vet their customers by only accepting purchases from customers who enjoy being led around in circles until they are dizzy.

I had to go through an unusually long and twisted process just to find an email address and then to qualify to send the email. After I had completed my email, with unapplicable information included, I THEN had to have a user account created. ;-) I think I'll go back to my company website and make sure we aren't making too many similar blunders.

 

[IVB]

I am tempted to ask the diffference between them and the universal remote line [i.e., my MX850], but upon further thought, I don't want to know. I'm quite happy with my 2 month old MX850, which replaced my 2yr old MX800, and I can't get upgraditis on that front anytime soon.

 

[Paul]

you said that there's nothing to compete with the harmony, and I'd like to show you the openpeak simple remote.

(I know nothing about this other than the fact that it looks hella cool, and I've read that its a remote)

http://www.openpeak.com/simpleremote.php

 

[TonyNo]

That does look sweet and the 802.11 support is way cool. Did you send an email for more info?

 

[royalj7]

Tan,

The biggest differences between the 880 and the other Harmony remotes is the hard button layout, the color LCD screen and the rechargeable batteries. If you are looking just for a HT remote, I think the 659 is the best value. You are correct that all the remotes have the same programing ablity (except the 890 which has zwave as mentioned).

I would would stay away from the 628 as it is missing some important hard buttons, ie picture and sound.

--Jamie

 

[Rupp]

I beg to differ. I tested all the Harmony remotes and in the end bought the 628 remote from Sam's for $79. It's by far the easiest to use and has the largest buttons of all their offerings. If a button is missing you can very easily remap any button on the remote to any function the device offers. The Internet programming paradigm is an excellent one and makes tweaking the remote easy but can be time consuming. You buy it and you'll never use another remote again. Internally all of the 6 series are identical they just have different button layouts.

 

[un-wired]

I have the 688 and it is an excellent remote.

These are without a doubt the easiest remotes to learn and teach. Plug em into your computer and logitech does most of the work for you. I tweaked it maybe once or twice since loading it the first time.

My only complaint on the 688 is that it eats batteries. I have changed over to rechargeables, and swap them out, but I am considering the upgrade to a rechargeable unit.

I recently set up a discount code for Cocoon members only 7.5% off, not to be used in conjunction with any other coupon, special offers etc etc.

When putting in your order simply use the word cocoon as your coupon code. I will leave this active until May.

 

[Mike]

I've got the 880 and have been real happy with it.

The simpleremote looked nice (I hadn't seen that one before). It is a $400 remote however, but looks like it had a real nice blend of features.

One item I was surprised at, I got mine in July and my down button no longer sends IR when it is pressed (you can hear it click but no IR). If it is pressed harder (harder than should be required for a remote) it will send IR for the most part.

I sent an email (actually 2 at this point) to the email address that is included in the package ([email protected] I think it was) but recieved no response (I waited a week then resent the email and waited another week). Frankly I was expecting a response to direct me to call them, but was surprised when I got no response at all.

I'll post my final results with how they respond to this warranty type issue. I'm assuming mine was marginally defective (was working fine since I got it and it does not get heavy usage). Aside from this however it has been a great product. Most importantly the wife loves it.

 

[elcano]

I love my 659, specially because my family loves it too. Its so easy to use (Harmony remotes in general).

My only concern with their design is their single activity paradigm. According to them you cannot do two things at the same time. If I use it to turn on the HT to see a DVD movie and them use the Deivce button to turn on my A/C at the end of the movie the OFF button turns the A/C off too!

I'm thinking about creating a custom button for turning on the A/C with a different assignment (instead of Power ON), so that it does not remember that the A/C is on at the time of turning OFF all the activities.

Does anybody have this issue too? How do you handle it?

In other topic I'm thinking about creating a fake device for triggering Home Automation tasks in my Ocelot. Is anybody using the Harmony in this way?

 

[royalj7]

I beg to differ. I tested all the Harmony remotes and in the end bought the 628 remote from Sam's for $79. It's by far the easiest to use and has the largest buttons of all their offerings. If a button is missing you can very easily remap any button on the remote to any function the device offers. The Internet programming paradigm is an excellent one and makes tweaking the remote easy but can be time consuming. You buy it and you'll never use another remote again. Internally all of the 6 series are identical they just have different button layouts.

Actually, I was incorrect, the 628 is not only missing the picture and sound, its also does not have Menu, Exit, and Info *hard* buttons. You can definitely program those functions into the software buttons (the 6 buttons by the lcd), so it might not be a big deal, but I prefer to have a dedicated hard button for commonly used actions. But you are right, the other 6xx series (688, 676, 680, 659) remotes are similar expect for button placement ie, where the transport buttons are. On the 659 they are on the bottom, on the 688 middle, on the 628 upper middle.

 

[tanstaaf1]

you said that there's nothing to compete with the harmony, and I'd like to show you the openpeak simple remote.

(I know nothing about this other than the fact that it looks hella cool, and I've read that its a remote)

http://www.openpeak.com/simpleremote.php

The concept seems nice. I can't find any pricing or ordering information, either on the website OR in a froogle search. Vaporware, I'd guess....

I'm frankly surprised some company hasn't been all over the universal market even more than harmony. It is utterly retarded the way component manufacturers keep on shipping their ideosyncratic proprietary remotes. In my experience they aren't even consistent within the product line. What could these companies *possibly* be gaining to justify irritating people in this way? Hell, I'd pay an extra $20 to $40, depending on device, just to get a standardized remote.

While harmony is a major step forward in this domain, I think there is a long way to go here. Obviously, there is a fit with the whole HA movement.

I'm VERY surprised that Apple hasn't taken a big bite out of this opportunity yet. I expect they will; no inside knowledge except they have been rumored to be working on a strategy to grab a place in the entertainment center for years - even before the ipod and MCE. I wouldnt' be surprised if the ipod eventually evolved to fill this role, also. I just have a hunch. Apple would be a natural here and could eat the lunch of erstwhile competitors including Microsoft.

If apple or any major company were to take on harmony/logitech, I think they could usurp the throne. I also think the throne would be worth a fortune in the right hands, as it would be the portal into everyone's home and, eventually, maybe even the preferred portal into all HA functions.

 

[tanstaaf1]

you said that there's nothing to compete with the harmony, and I'd like to show you the openpeak simple remote.

(I know nothing about this other than the fact that it looks hella cool, and I've read that its a remote)

http://www.openpeak.com/simpleremote.php

The concept seems nice. I can't find any pricing or ordering information, either on the website OR in a froogle search. Vaporware, I'd guess....

...

SimpleremoteResponse:

Thank you for your interest in OpenPeak and our SimpleRemote product and your comments regarding our web site. We haven’t advertised our web site, but recognize that it’s been getting some increased hits since word got out about us.



OpenPeak sells only to OEMs who then brand our products as their own. The only unit currently shipping that is an OpenPeak product is the Philips RC9800i, please check the Philips web site for information regarding the RC9800i and where you can purchase units and price.



We expect to have 3-5 OEMs selling various designs of SimpleRemote by this summer. Look into the RC9800i, but if that doesn't meet your needs check back on our web site later this year for partner announcements.



Regards,



Chick Cairo

VP Alliances

 

[Mike]

I've got the 880 and have been real happy with it.

One item I was surprised at, I got mine in July and my down button no longer sends IR when it is pressed (you can hear it click but no IR). If it is pressed harder (harder than should be required for a remote) it will send IR for the most part.

I sent an email (actually 2 at this point) to the email address that is included in the package ([email protected] I think it was) but recieved no response (I waited a week then resent the email and waited another week). Frankly I was expecting a response to direct me to call them, but was surprised when I got no response at all.

I'll post my final results with how they respond to this warranty type issue. I'm assuming mine was marginally defective (was working fine since I got it and it does not get heavy usage). Aside from this however it has been a great product. Most importantly the wife loves it.

A surprising update on this. While Harmony tech support is available almost constantly (I've called on a sunday when I first got it), the warranty and repair department is much more elusive.

No responses from the 2 emails (it has been weeks now since I sent the original and the followup).

I tried calling (available mon-fri 9AM-5PM no weekends) and went to a hold queue. After a few minutes it said there was not anyone to help me and to leave a message. I left a message on Friday and have not recieved a call back yet (has not been much time yet so I won't complain about that).

Most companies let you stay on hold until you are helped, I have found this whole experience disheartening in regards to Logitech/Harmony. I'm hoping the issue with my button failing is not indicative of the product line. Fortunately I did shell out the extra $40 for a two year replacement policy at Best Buy. I can't use it until the warranty is up and they will refund the purchase price. If this is how Logitech handles their customers and supports their products I suspect I would not reinvest that cash into a logitech remote. A little early for that right now, I'll post another update next week after I have called a few more times.

On a bright note they have apparently fixed the website slowness I saw a few months back, although I have only been on it a few times (the remote update site).

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Chakara]

So it seems that the 6xx series are the same with different button layouts. That is very clear. What about the 8x0 series? Is the only difference button layouts and color screen over the 6xx series?

Thanks!