Logitech Harmony H-659 Advanced Universal Remote Control (Black) | List Price: $189.93
Discount Price: $99.99
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Brand: Logitech
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Easy to use, easy to set-up
Love It [Posted on 2008-04-25]
At first we set up the remote incorrectly but tech support is good and we got it working ourselves. It is so nice to only have one remote instead of 5.
After a year I'm back in the market for a remote [Posted on 2008-05-27]
Pros -
It works well - as long as you give it the time to talk to all of your devices. I have a DVR, HD DVD player, Oppo DVD player, Sony receiver, and flatscreen TV, and electronic HDMI switch. Once it's all set up it is fine to control all devices. The internet downloading of codes is great. The learning mode was easy for those devices you need to program. I've used this for over a year and I don't remember what I had to teach it.
Cons-
First and foremost, after a year I have 2 function buttons that have just gone dead. The warranty is for a year; after a year and a couple of months a couple of the side buttons just will no longer respond.
Initial setup was nearly a failure. The website couldn't communicate correctly with the device which had outdated firmware inside. That struggle took me about 2-3 hours and I'm a programmer. Some undocumented thing I did finally got the firmware updated to where it would work.
I didn't understand why if the Logitech database had all the codes for my Sony receiver that it needed to "talk" to my Sony remote.
Final thoughts -
I was lucky to get the thing working due to software/firmware incompatibilities in the current website version of the firmware and the version the remote shipped with. I think the buttons going dead like they did is pretty unforgivable at this price. Even so, I might get another logitech device to replace this one with (which is why I'm here now writing this review.) If I were to buy this all over again I'd extend the warranty a year for $10 or make sure I had an extra year from a credit card warranty extention. When you get all the kinks worked out it works great.
Works Great,BUT [Posted on 2008-07-04]
The Harmony H-659 is very user friendly and does the job very good for my family BUT, this is my second purchase after about two years. The first one i satrted having problems with the OFF button that you would have to press it 5-6 times before it would turn off the devices and then eventually the OFF button would not work. I am hoping I get more than a couple of years out of it this time but it does works great.
Hunk of Junk [Posted on 2008-07-13]
This is an absolute hunk of junk! After wasting hours with what should have taken minutes I am sworn off of any Logitech remotes.
Here is what I sought to accomplish: a single remote that controls my DirecTV DVR (channel up/down, menu, select, etc.) and my Yamaha amplifier (volume up/down, mute.)
However, this was not a simple task. The Logitech software requires that you identify such processes as what devices are to be engaged to make this task happen. What tasks? I just want the power on! I don't need to change the TV's input, I don't need to turn on or off the power of other devices, I don't need to think of it as my "TV Sequence."
All I wanted to do was map the functions either intelligently by assigning the IR values of each remote to the button on the Logitech, or just learn the individual IR values with the device's remote aimed at the Harmony. Neither of these options proved fruitful on this over-thought, over-wrought, hunk of junk.
The software application that runs on your PC to control this device was not written by someone who has a basic understanding of the end task. All it did was get in the way.
Rather than purchase the Logitech Harmony, you are better off holding a representative value of dollar bills out the window of your car to let them pass with the wind, as it will be less frustrating than attempting to program this device.
Now, to "Office Space" it.
FANTASTIC!! [Posted on 2008-09-08]
This remote does exactly what it promises. It took about 25-35 minutes to completely set up and there was no "pairing" of remotes required (all done via internet). My wife even loved it and now my mother, mother-in-law and other old relatives will be able to watch stereo TV and movies without having to write a book to tell them how. My wife, who is usually the naysayer on all electronic products, wants to get another one for the bedroom as well. Great product!!!
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