Logitech Harmony 659 Universal Remote Control (Grey)

Rating:
Summary: No AV Receiver should be without this device....
Review: Although I have only owned the Harmony Remote for a very short time and cannot vouch for its longevity, I feel that the great first impression that it produced needed to be shared.

With the proliferation of AV equipment and all of the confusing remote control options, it has become a nightmare to turn on and operate 3 or even 2 devices at one time. Well not any more. Now with this wonderful intelligent Harmony remote, you are in control. The Harmony can control every device you have and it can do it intelligently. It knows and remembers what you have turned on and adapts itself to controlling only the primary functions necessary for the activity that you are presently doing, thereby minimizing the buttons positions that you will need to learn and remember. Watch a DVD and the forward and rewind buttons control the DVD while the volume and mute buttons control your AV receiver. Watch a VHS Tape and the forward and rewind buttons automatically control the VCR. No more having to tell the remote which device you want to control, it knows... This is the first multi unit remote that is not frustrating to use. It is simple, intuitive, and yet very customizable as well. Programming is done with the computer in less than two hours. It is so simple that the manual has very little in the way of instructions. Moreover, if you do run into trouble, the toll free tech support is the best I have come across in a very long time. The wait is less than 5 minutes during peak hours and the people on the other end are very knowledgeable and speak English (they are located in Canada). >

<> Here is why I give the setup procedure a 4 out of 5. The reason is that I did have to call tech support. They told me I needed to download and run a firmware update before my remote would communicate with the PC properly. However, with the technicians guidance it was a simple process. It would be an improvement if the manual that came with the unit had a little more set-up information and screen shots so that one can follow along to see if everything is proceeding normally. Additionally, it would help if the LCD screen on the remote would give some indication when it is communicating with the PC. It would have cut my setup time in half or down to one hour.


Rating:
Summary: Can they make these any better?
Review: I am totally impressed with this remote. I have some obsure equipment (Outlaw Audio, DishPVR921) and they already had a database for it. After a little tweaking this thing works like a charm. Now that it is working, I actually enjoy going online to super fine tune it to which buttons do what. Good remote for the technophile or the technophobe, and once it's all set up a child could use it. I should have bought it a long time ago.

Rating:
Summary: The Grail of Universal Remotes
Review: The Logitech Harmony 659 is a GREAT remote, it DOES control everything (I own at least) and its EASY to set up, using its web based configuration. Hook it to your computer (via USB) and away you go.

If you've spent more than $500 on components for your home theatre, then DON'T HESITATE to spend the extra $100 for this remote. ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY!

If you have new components: DVD/VCR combo or Monitor w/out a TV tuner this remote is a GREAT investment.