First post. I've been looking through threads in this forum and anywhere else I can find information on the internet to help me decide on what remote I should purchase. While I don't have to have the latest and greatest, I also don't want to buy a cheap plastic toy of a remote. I would like to be able to program my remote with my computer. I don't need RF but like the looks, ergonomics, apparent quality, and reasonable price of the MX-850.
1. Does the MX-850 have the capability to learn without being hooked up to a computer?
2. What are the drawbacks of buying an MX-850 from an internet dealer rather than an approved dealer? Are the drawbacks really serious?
Thanks in advance for advice and opinions.
John

1. Does the MX-850 have the capability to learn without being hooked up to a computer?

I don't think so. The manual doesn't say anything about it anyway.

2. What are the drawbacks of buying an MX-850 from an internet dealer rather than an approved dealer? Are the drawbacks really serious?

If you don't get it from an authorized dealer the software URC gives you doesn't have liveupdate enabled. Meaning you won't get any new firmware updates or IR codes. You'll have all the programming features, and the current IR database though.

That said there are some fairly easy ways around this. First off you could just call URC and complain about it, lots of people have had good luck that way. Or there are plenty of people who are sharing the liveupdate enabled software around the net. It only took me about 15 minutes to find it. Although at the moment I don't think liveupdate is working for anyone. URC is "tweaking" the system. Who knows if that will be good or bad for us.

I've had mine for about a month now. It really is a great remote. The software is easy to use, I had mine up and running in like ten minutes. Spent about an hour tweaking it, but it's a lot easier than some people make it out to be.

You didn't mention the MRF-300 so I am not sure if you aware that you have to purchase this seperately in order to use the RF functions. You can still use the remote with IR though without this added cost.

From what you are saying it really does not seem like buying it from an "unauthorized" source will be much of a problem with liveupdate available on the web. My computer has no parallel or serial ports, just USB and firewire, so I'll have to get a USB to serial adapter, again no big deal. The 850 looks like a really nice remote. I don't need and won't use all the 850's capabilities but I especially like the uncluttered control layout and apparent build and design quality. Thanks for the help.

I am aware that I need to purchase the MRF-300 if I want RF capability. I thought I'd try the 850 as is for now and add the MRF-300 later if it seems like I need it . Right now I don't need RF. Thanks for the help.

What are the reasons you'd want to go grey-market(internet) vs an authorized channel? Is it a $$ thing or a convenience thing?

For me personally, I'd always want to go the authorized route for something like a $300-$400 remote so that if the remote itself ever had issues I had a point of escalation beyond the dealer. I actually did have this issue with my MX800, but I called URC and they hooked me up. I bought my MX850 from Magnolia (a legit dealer), and they gave me 10% off so the price isn't that much given the support upside.

I am aware that I need to purchase the MRF-300 if I want RF capability. I thought I'd try the 850 as is for now and add the MRF-300 later if it seems like I need it . Right now I don't need RF. Thanks for the help.

Well good luck if you go with it. It's a great remote. I have the MX-700 myself, essentially the same without the RF capabilities and I love it.

1. Does the MX-850 have the capability to learn without being hooked up to a computer?

Actually, yes. Simply by pushing and holding MAIN and ENT until the screen changes and the LEARN button appears.


2. What are the drawbacks of buying an MX-850 from an internet dealer rather than an approved dealer? Are the drawbacks really serious?

As already pointed out, don't buy from anyone not authorized.

If you head over to remotecentral.com and click on one of the universal forums, you will see a couple guys linking their dealer website, call them.

I bought a MX-850 and an MRF-350 within $20.00-25.00 of what I found on Ebay.

Mark

I went to remotecentral and found an authorized dealer, Surf Remote Control, and bought the 850 at a great price with an online coupon. The prices were so good I looked at the 900 and 950 for a while before I came to my senses and realized the 850 is really more remote than I need.

Thanks for the advice Mark.

Good! I'm glad to hear it all worked out for you.

Programming the remote isn't too dificult, although there will be a learning curve.

Once you have a good grasp programming the software, you can virtually do anything.

Mike (surf Remote Control) is a great guy who will help with question if/when you have them.

Mark