Harmony Remote Control opinions

cindy100

Hi! I am interested in one of the Harmony remote controls and wanted to get some opinions from here first. I don't need anything fancy or most of all, complicated. I am just tired of having to use 4 different remotes. I have seen some on eBay starting at around $40 which is not bad but also see some priced at $200 & up. If any of you have one and can give your opinions as to whether they really work and how complicated they are to set up, I would appreciate it. Thanks so much for your help.

Cindy

PolkThug

They work great. Just write down all your model numbers and what your inputs need to be on for different activities, then login to their website and plug your remote in to your PC with the supplied cable. Just answer the questions on the website, its very easy.

You can keep it simple or get as fancy as you want. My custom "Demo the Polks" activity will play a certain song on a disc in my changer.

http://members.harmonyremote.com/EasyZapper/New/Main.asp?WebProcessAction=Start&ClassId=PrNewUser%2EProcNewUser&RelativePath=ProcNewUser%2F&ReturnUrl=%2FEasyZapper%2FNew%2FProcNewUser%2FEnd%2Easp&AccountType=Normal&DealerId=&PackageId=&PackageReturnUrl=

disneyjoe7

Harmony ROCKS baby.

Replaced all remotes with one SWEET.

cindy100

Any particular model to stay away from or one you would recommend? Of course there are several to choose from on eBay so...

Thanks again,

Cindy

disneyjoe7

I own a Harmony 880, it got it for $130 sweet deal like $120 coupon off. It the only one I played with sorry, I think it's a little out of your range.

PolkThug

I've owned the 659 and the 880. The buttons were much easier to use on the 659.

masanz1

I have the 659. I like it but it seems to eat batteries

cindy100

disneyjoe,

When you say out of my range, do you mean because it is complicated to set up?

Cindy

Willow

I own a harmony and couldn't be happier. Mind you I have not even tried to modify it to our needs just basic.

disneyjoe7

cindy100 wrote:

disneyjoe,

When you say out of my range, do you mean because it is complicated to set up?

Cindy

Out of your range, only because of your quote for $40 bucks on ebay the 880 retails for $249 I paid only $129 before shipping / handling with a sweet $120 coupon. That was all, it's easy to setup overall.

disneyjoe7

For those interested it was from Dell but that coupon is no longer vivid. I will post over here on PF if I see another deal like that, I'm not really sure how often a deal comes up like that. Got wind of this on TivoCommunity.com

Demiurge

My friend has one, and I just bought one from here. I would say they're a very good remote. The software it comes with is daunting, but don't let that scare you.

BIZILL

got me a harmony 659 via club polk karma (thanks again steveinaz!) and have no issues with the batteries. last a good long time for me, and i'm a button-pusher, just ask my ex.

WilliamM2

I love my Harmony remote, I only have 4 devices to control, so I chose the 520, it's quite simple and in my opinion looks mch better than the 6xx series of remotes. The lighting is the best I have seen, very easy to read in the dark, or daylight.

Even my better half loves it, and she is usually lost when it comes to operating any remote. They are available at Walmart for $98, I got mine off ebay, new for $60 delivered.

mutelight

I have the 880 and I love it. As long as you know how to access their site and setup your devices it is fairly intuitive. I absolutely love the macro features which will setup all the components of your system for a specific activity. I can't tell you how many times I used to come home to find my gf standing there with static on the screen trying to get a DVD to play.

Here is a Froogle search result for an idea on pricing.

disneyjoe7

mutelight wrote:

I have the 880 and I love it. As long as you know how to access their site and setup your devices it is fairly intuitive.

As long as you know how to access their site, HUH....

I own one and I'm not sure what the website is and I don't care to know I plug the remote in it makes my computer go to website I log in Done...:cool:

mutelight

disneyjoe7 wrote:

As long as you know how to access their site, HUH....

I own one and I'm not sure what the website is and I don't care to know I plug the remote in it makes my computer go to website I log in Done...:cool:

Sorry I should have said "utilize". Thanks though captain semantics. :cool:

disneyjoe7

Thanks, I felt I should clear up any confusion.

janmike

Can this remote power on multiple devices with one click. In other words, can you program it to power on the amp, processor, TV and then say the DVDP? Or do I need to use a function button, reference the device and then power each one on individually. I am getting lazy and detest multiple remotes.

WilliamM2

Can this remote power on multiple devices with one click.

It's better than that. It's "activity" based. For example, press "listen to cd" and it powers on all the required gear, and switches to the correct input. Press "watch a DVD, the DVD player powers up, the TV powers up, the correct input is selected, and it even changes the TV to the correct video source.

Polkitup2

I run a receiver, two amps, two CD payers, a DVD player and a TV with my 880. Couldn't live without it. I push one button and all the needed components fire up and go to the correct settings depending on which activity I want such as watching TV or listening to a SACD.

janmike

WilliamM2 wrote:

It's better than that. It's "activity" based. For example, press "listen to cd" and it powers on all the required gear, and switches to the correct input. Press "watch a DVD, the DVD player powers up, the TV powers up, the correct input is selected, and it even changes the TV to the correct video source.

Sounds great. As for the correct input, my processor automatically takes care of that anyway. Now I need to determine which model (659, 880, 890...)????

Any other brands that compete with Harmony that are worth look at?

Demiurge

janmike wrote:

Sounds great. As for the correct input, my processor automatically takes care of that anyway. Now I need to determine which model (659, 880, 890...)????

Any other brands that compete with Harmony that are worth look at?

Not at that price point. They're the best there. Higher up you get the Pronto, but that's like $300+

janmike

Are the older model (pre 880 890) worth looking at? I see the 880 and 890 going for a few hundred.

okiepolkie

Other than the 880 and 890, I would recommend almost any of the their other remotes. Virtually all of them, except the newer 520, 550, and XBox remote, have the same functions.

I've programmed a slew of 659's, a couple 520's, a 688, and several 880's. For the price, the 659 is a good value. The 688 is my current remote in the living room.

As far as alternatives, Home Theater Remote(Universal Remote Control) offers remotes that can be programmed more extensivly, however, I still haven't figured out how to program my MX900 to my standards.

I still don't care much for touch screen remotes. Most of the time, I don't like to look at what I'm pressing, so the feel of hard buttons is better for me.

Polkitup2

Okiepolkie, so what is it that you don't like about the 880 and 890?

okiepolkie

Actually, I really like the 880 and 890.

My response, althoughs somewhat ambiguous at the beginning, was trying to answer janmike's question about cheaper Harmony remotes.

disneyjoe7

Sorry all, I looked for a discount for the 880 remote but I haven't found one. But overall a sweet remote.

Holydoc

disneyjoe7 wrote:

Sorry all, I looked for a discount for the 880 remote but I haven't found one. But overall a sweet remote.

DELL has the 880's on special about once a month. You just have to keep watching them to catch the sales.

okiepolkie

www.ecost.com has it for $155, which is about as cheap as anywhere else. It is definetly worth that much.

disneyjoe7

Thanks guys, I think it worth a link if anyone wishes to own one.