Recommend a good Universal Remote

vulcan
vulcan Posts: 99
in Electronics
I need a universal remote to go with a LG tv and a Onkyo Home theater receiver.
I been looking at the Logitech Harmony One, that uses a rechargeable battery.
I also, saw a highly rated "SofaBaton" model, but may be out of my budget.
Can anyone recommend some options and other remotes, less than $100?
Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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Best Answer

  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,442
    edited June 18 Answer ✓
    I can say with experience that the My Harmony software for the Logitech 650/700 models works just fine with the latest version of Windows 11.
    If you are a MacOS person, no such luck.
    I have multiple saved copies of the installer just in case it is removed from the Logitech website. Lord help us if they ever shut down the Harmony database servers! There will be riots in the suburbs if that happens.
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Answers

  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,225
    I have had good luck with Harmony remotes, esp the 650 (long out of production though).
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 3,028
    I was a long time Logitech fan, but I was unwilling to spend $300 for a NOS remote when mine finally died. Went with the SofaBaton U2 for about $60. It’s excellent (even better than the Logitech overall). My only gripes are that you have to download the app and program it via the app, and the fact that the backlit feature is motion activated. That leads to trouble in the home theater with the DD18s right behind the listening position. There may very well be a way to disable the motion activation feature, I just need to research it…
    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,098
    vulcan wrote: »
    I need a universal remote to go with a LG tv and a Onkyo Home theater receiver.
    I been looking at the Logitech Harmony One, that uses a rechargeable battery.
    I also, saw a highly rated "SofaBaton" model, but may be out of my budget.
    Can anyone recommend some options and other remotes, less than $100?

    I did tried the SofaBaton and returbed a few days later. I did not like it.

    Cheers
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,225
    There are 650s on ebay...used of course, but I'm still using a used one for the last 24 months and still going strong. It's a crap shoot but there are decent ones out there for much less than $100
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • vulcan
    vulcan Posts: 99
    I am looking at the Harmony 650 now on ebay, I am liking this model. In one pic it looks like the buttons are backlit and it uses 2 AA batteries, big plus. Only using with 2 devices. Do you need that USB cable, some of the listings have it, most don't? thanks for your advice and input.
    Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • vulcan
    vulcan Posts: 99
    I looked at the SofaBaton. I feel like that overkill for my needs(2 devices), plus i don't like dealing with "apps". Looks like i can get the 650 for around $25
    Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • sgmsmg
    sgmsmg Posts: 556
    vulcan wrote: »
    I looked at the SofaBaton. I feel like that overkill for my needs(2 devices), plus i don't like dealing with "apps". Looks like i can get the 650 for around $25

    @vulcan There are threads on AVS Forum about older Harmony models no longer being supported and also issues programming depending on what operating system you are using. It might be prudent to verify before purchasing.

    I don't know which three has the best information but most of them are here:

    https://www.avsforum.com/forums/remote-control-area.93/
    2 Channel
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    Amp: Buckeye NCx500
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    Source: Oppo UDP-205, Bryston BDP-3, Bryston BCD-3, Apple TV, Amazon Fire
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,225
    You'll need a cable and the Harmony software to program your devices.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • vulcan
    vulcan Posts: 99
    Well, I looked at the Logitech web site last night and it appears they are discontinuing support for some of their remotes. Having second thoughts about the Harmony. I do like the looks of the 650.
    I am still using Win 7 on my pc, lol. I guess i will buy a couple and see how they work. thanks!
    Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,442
    edited July 17
    billbillw wrote: »
    I can say with experience that the My Harmony software for the Logitech 650/700 models works just fine with the latest version of Windows 11.
    If you are a MacOS person, no such luck.
    I have multiple saved copies of the installer just in case it is removed from the Logitech website. Lord help us if they ever shut down the Harmony database servers! There will be riots in the suburbs if that happens.

    I must correct this statement. I did some simple google searching about Harmony software for MacOS when I started testing a Mac Mini (M4) about two months ago. Without digging too deeply, it seemed that Harmony software stopped supporting MacOS when they switched to 64-bit only in Catalina 10.15.
    Today, I dug a little deeper and found this: https://support.myharmony.com/en-in/harmony-and-macos
    They actually did release a 64-bit version of MyHarmony for MacOS. Installed a few minutes ago and it works fine. Note, the warning about End of Life is for the older Harmony Remote Software, which worked with older models. The newer 650 and 700 models are supported by the MyHarmony software mentioned above.
    I also think most of these newer Harmony remotes can be configured from the Myharmony website without installing software. I'm starting to think I should find another spare...

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  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,319
    daddyjt wrote: »
    ...and the fact that the backlit feature is motion activated. That leads to trouble in the home theater with the DD18s right behind the listening position. There may very well be a way to disable the motion activation feature, I just need to research it…

    Open Sofabaton App > Pair with remote > tap the three dots in the upper left corner > Scroll down to "Settings" and tap it > Uncheck "Light up remote screen when holding up".

    Now it won't light up until you push a button on the remote.
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 3,028
    Hermitism wrote: »
    daddyjt wrote: »
    ...and the fact that the backlit feature is motion activated. That leads to trouble in the home theater with the DD18s right behind the listening position. There may very well be a way to disable the motion activation feature, I just need to research it…

    Open Sofabaton App > Pair with remote > tap the three dots in the upper left corner > Scroll down to "Settings" and tap it > Uncheck "Light up remote screen when holding up".

    Now it won't light up until you push a button on the remote.

    Thanks much - fixed it.

    Funny, it’s one of those little things that annoys me, but just not quite enough to do the research, lol.
    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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