Good Universal Remote?

RVJII

Looking for recommendations on a good universal remote. So far I was taking a look at that Logitech Harmony 880 and the Universal Remote Control MX-850 Aeros.

Anyone use these or have other recommendations?

AsSiMiLaTeD

My favorite is the Harmony 659

Ricardo

My only one is the Harmony 659; great controller.

PolkThug

+3

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/closeup.php?userid=51750&pic=91_26_big.jpg

Ricardo

PolkThug...I wonder what's behind that "Demo the Polks" activity.......

okiepolkie

+3.5 on the 659 . Great remote for the price, but I really like the 880(even though I haven't used it yet ). If you want a decent one a good price, check out the Sony RMVL900. A refurbished one can be had for $10-$15 online.

If you do buy a Harmony, get it from www.pcmall.com or www.ecost.com.

Have fun with your remote hunting.

Zach

Holydoc

I love the Sony remotes with the LCD screen. The RM-AV3000 (I think now they are up to the 3001) is an excellent remote though large in size. If you want what I consider the cream of the crop, look into getting this remote.

Link to a very indepth review of the remote:
http://www.remotecentral.com/av3000/index.html

bknauss

880 is much more user friendly (at least based on my prior experience with Harmony and URC remotes).

billbillw

I have the same Sony remote that Holydoc has. It controls everything and is quite flexible, but it is larger and less intuative compared to the Harmony remotes.

You have to decide whether you want the flexibilty of numerous programmable LCD touchscreen buttons or if you want hard/rubber buttons that can be felt by touch and used without having to hit the backlight everytime. Although my Sony does a great job, I am leaning towards replacement with the Harmony 675 due to its hard button layout for Tivo operation.

Fallen Kell

I would say you need to go hold a few in your hands to really get an idea (especially since this is how you will be using one). Some features are nice to have, but you will usually be able to find them in a similar product from another company. The real difference is the feel.

My general preference went to the MX series remotes from Home Theater Master. I don't like the like the direction pad too much on them (MX-500, 600, 700, 800, really just the center button part) but otherwise I liked the feel of the rest of the remote. I would say look towards the 800 or at least one that supports the computer interface for ease of programming (but they can get pricy fast, and I would pay retail for these, they are not worth that much...).

Toxis

+1 on the MX-850. I don't like how the Harmony's program. But it has been almost 3 years since I messed with one.

sdBigDuck

I have/had the Sony LCD and it's very nice. But I recently bought the Logitech harmony remote and it seems to be much easier to set up, You just go online and plug in the models of all of your equipment and it downloads the codes to the remote. It also allows you to move some of the buttons around. I have to admit, I haven't set it up yet, but the idea is good, and $749 less than the Philips Pronto - which would be my first choice...

mantis

I favor the MX850. It's the best under 500.00 remote on the market today.

Dan