Alternatives to the Harmony One

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,722
edited June 2011 in Electronics
So I am looking at getting the Harmony One for my birthday (coming up super quick) but was curious what other options there were out there. I need it to do more than 7 devices (Harmony 900), and the more the better, be very easy to use and program. Touchscreen/LCD required. Rechargeable would be super nice as well. RF built in would be nice but not required as long as it can be RF upgraded in the future. Not looking to spend a ton of cash so keep it ~200 or less.

All my Gear is in my sig.

Suggestions?..GO!
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,164
    edited May 2011
    FYI, Crutchfield has $30 off the Harmony One through tomorrow. I'm tempted... :smile:

    I don't know anything about alternatives, but you never hear much about any. That says something, huh?
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  • byfthalone
    byfthalone Posts: 345
    edited May 2011
    best buy usually has the harmony one for less than $200...if not in the store then online and they will prce match their own online pricing.
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited May 2011
    Nothing I know of in the same price range. I got my Harmony1 in 2008 for 200.00 so they are always discounted. The only other comparable, not cheaper, remote would be the URC which stand for Universal Remote Control I think. You can find them a SurfRemoteControl but you have to email them for a price. Never used a URC because of the price but would like to as I think they are more flexible than the H1.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,722
    edited May 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    FYI, Crutchfield has $30 off the Harmony One through tomorrow. I'm tempted... :smile:

    Which puts is 2 more than Best Buy is selling it for and with Best Buy I can go pick it up tomorrow lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • vwfred69
    vwfred69 Posts: 54
    edited May 2011
    i have the acoustic research xsight touch. it does ok. pretty easy to set up but it could easily be better with more setup options. my only complaints are it is long, loud tilt sensor, and when setup to control multiple devices it has a help menu button on the lcd that you can't get rid of if using profiles. it does not show up when you manually select the device.

    it also has a rf add on good for 6 devices at up op 100"
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,164
    edited May 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Which puts is 2 more than Best Buy is selling it for and with Best Buy I can go pick it up tomorrow lol....

    Well, not to one-up you or anything...
    I also have $80 in credit card rewards, which I can redeem for a $100 gift card at Crutchfield, AND they'll bring it to me (usually in one day), meaning I don't have to run out to Best Buy, which sometimes I'm in the mood for and sometimes not... :wink::smile: Oh yeah, a couple bucks difference ought to cover ga$.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,722
    edited May 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Well, not to one-up you or anything...
    I also have $80 in credit card rewards, which I can redeem for a $100 gift card at Crutchfield, AND they'll bring it to me (usually in one day), meaning I don't have to run out to Best Buy, which sometimes I'm in the mood for and sometimes not... :wink::smile: Oh yeah, a couple bucks difference ought to cover ga$.

    Rock on! Thats a great deal for you!

    My point was more that Best Buy has been selling it for the Crutchfield sale price for a bit so the "sale" price wasnt really that good :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,164
    edited May 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Rock on! Thats a great deal for you!

    My point was more that Best Buy has been selling it for the Crutchfield sale price for a bit so the "sale" price wasnt really that good :smile:

    Yeah, Crutchfield is not a discount outlet, but for an online retailer, their service and support is top notch - very well-trained, informed professionals. Know anyone at Best Buy who can answer all your questions? :tongue: Not to make this a Crutchfield commercial, but I have purchased quite a few things from them, mostly with the incentive of my credit card rewards program, and have never been less than completely satisfied. I've had problems, and they've remedied them immediately and without giving me a hard time.

    In the end though, my purchases are usually price-driven, and I usually don't buy anything until "I" have answered all of my questions.
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  • byfthalone
    byfthalone Posts: 345
    edited May 2011
    just an FYI...I just checked the BB website and they have it on sale for $164.99..stores will price match online. I really don't know what Crutchfield is selling them for though.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,164
    edited May 2011
    byfthalone wrote: »
    I really don't know what Crutchfield is selling them for though.

    You can look that up too, just like the BB site!
    FTR, Crutchfield is $169.99. Oh yeah, just realized that BB would also cost me an additional 6% sales tax :frown:... so, Crutchfield wins! (Oh, I'm sure if you work hard enough, you can find it for less.)
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  • byfthalone
    byfthalone Posts: 345
    edited May 2011
    there is always someone, somewhere selling something for less. Either way it is a good price for the remote. It is awesome that Crutchfield gives so much support. Those are the things that add tons of value to your purchase. Most BB employees don't know that much about all of the stuff sold in the store, true enough. And if you want the Geek Squad to program it, well....you know.
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited May 2011
    I just bought a Harmony 650 and I love it. it will only handle 5 devices but that works for me. You won't be unhappy with whatever Harmony remote you buy.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


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  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited May 2011
    You could always check out the Phillips Pronto line. I used to have a Pronto Pro until the backlight burnt out (when it hit the floor)
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  • carwashguy
    carwashguy Posts: 131
    edited May 2011
    Love Crutchfield. They will always match other online retailers price, if you ask.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,164
    edited June 2011
    FWIW, I waited on this, and then noticed today that Crutchfield dropped it to $149.99, shipped. Should arrive on Tuesday!
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited June 2011
    best affordable remote bar none. Grats!
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,722
    edited June 2011
    Yeah, JR had it for 139.99 shipped.


    But I havent got one yet :smile:.....


    Instead we had about 30 people over and grilled out, threw down on some cornhole and had a good ol time....

    Remote will prob come christmas time. And thats totally fine :smile:

    Now to have some more brats and burgers :wink:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2011
    It's called the one for a reason. Accept no substitutes.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • m60cs2
    m60cs2 Posts: 38
    edited June 2011
    I love the remote, I've had 2. Both got destroyed by my kids and my dog respectively. I bought the cheapest harmony remote on the market. I think it was $40. It's lacks the coolness of the One, but it does the job.
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