Harmony Dying

bobman1235
bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
edited October 2010 in Electronics
I have a Harmony 880 that is slowly dying.

Basically, the buttons require me to really DIG IN sometimes to get them to work. The volume buttons in particular are getting almost impossible to wake up. Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Is there any solution aside from buying a new one? It's several years old and I'm sure out of warranty at this point. It's just odd that so many of the buttons seem to be going at once....
If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited October 2010
    Take it apart and clean the contacts under the button if it is out of warranty.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited October 2010
    I had the same problem with an old 659 that I had. I just replaced it.

    IMO the Logitech remotes are not very well built. I really like them and have resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to have to replace one every couple years or so. It's not very cost effective, spending ~$75 a year on a remote, but it's a price I'm willing to pay for the convenience of what the remote does for me given the fact that I haven't found a better alternative product.

    I would tell anyone looking that if you want something that's going to be rock solid for years to probably avoid the Logitech remotes, but if you want something that's super easy to use and are willing to pay for it then they're the best option I've found.

    Doesn't really answer your question I know, just my perspective.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited October 2010
    Well, it kind of answers a question I had in my head, basically "is this odd / rare", and it sounds like "no." Bummer.

    I'll try taking it apart and giving it a good cleaning inside, see if that helps; otherwise it's off to Amazon.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited October 2010
    If anyone does have a good alternative with similar capabilities now would be a good time to speak up, as I'm about to buy another one as well.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    If anyone does have a good alternative with similar capabilities now would be a good time to speak up, as I'm about to buy another one as well.

    You want my 880?

    I found it too troublesome to program....a bit like young sex....'no- thats not it...thats not it either....' :D

    Make me an offer.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited October 2010
    I have a BNIB Harmony 720 too.
    Main Surround -
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    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited October 2010
    I had a 676 that was 5 years old that did the same thing. I just ordered and got in my Harmony One with the IR kit and LOVE it! It feels much better built than the original tank of a remote. I really like the charging cradle part and the little LCD screen, too.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited October 2010
    I'm gonna try and fix mine before I look into spending any money, but thanks.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • szhleppy
    szhleppy Posts: 321
    edited October 2010
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    I have a Harmony 880 that is slowly dying.

    Basically, the buttons require me to really DIG IN sometimes to get them to work. The volume buttons in particular are getting almost impossible to wake up. Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Is there any solution aside from buying a new one? It's several years old and I'm sure out of warranty at this point. It's just odd that so many of the buttons seem to be going at once....

    I have an 890 (same thing as the 880 with the IR package) that's well over 4 years old. This remote has been on the receiving end of drunken tumbles as well as extended heat/sun/dust/water exposure from being poolside in AZ....looks and works like new except for a little wear on the "Prev" button and some scratches on the backside (that's what she said....).
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited October 2010
    I own a 880 myself and yes the buttons can be an issue... They are not very nice switches and they do die. I opened mine and remove the tape over to reseat the button to 90 degrees which was a problem. Fixed it for now, it's about 6 years old now.

    I'm sure they designed it so you like it and then it dies so you can buy another. ;)

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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited October 2010
    Had the 880 also, sold it and upgraded to the Harmony One which is much better and easier to handle.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,460
    edited October 2010
    Just use isopropyl alcohol to clean the backside of silicon rubber keypad really well. Also clean the surface of the contact board too. Really take your time and do it thoroughly. I've been using a pair of 676 for about 5 years now. Every couple years, they need to be cleaned inside and they are good again. For some reason, that rubbery plastic emits oils over time the muck up the contacts.
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  • TG Meat
    TG Meat Posts: 159
    edited October 2010
    I found a guy on ebay who had several of the 880, without the battery. I think I paid about $40 for the shell. My battery was fine and I already had the charging dock. Thought about getting a new one, but if you replace your remote with one of the same model, you just hit the button "change remote" or something and you dont need to configure anything new. Good Luck.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited October 2010
    nevermind...
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