Hello guys.

Right now I have the Logitech Harmony 676 and am not liking it. There are too many buttons I don't use, and the one's I do use are poorly located and way too small. I do like the activity button design that it has, but there aren't enough activity buttons on this remote for my system. So I want to get a new universal remote, but don't know which one to get. First of all, here's a list of my equipment:

Panasonic PT-AE900U projector
Toshiba 27" SD TV for regular viewing
Harman Kardon AVR-445 receiver
Motorolla Moxi cable DVR/HD box
Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player

Using 2 displays complicates the number of activities I need. And I don't want to use my projector for all my viewing because it burns through the lamps too fast. I've already had to purchase a replacement lamp for it. I'm also thinking of upgrading the Toshiba TV to an HD LCD TV and integrating my computer with my HT system. And of course I would want to use the computer on both the LCD TV and the projector.

I was really thinking of trying out the new Harmony 1000, but after reading the problems you guys are having with it, I think I'm going to look elsewhere. Any suggestions?

There are too many buttons I don't use, and the one's I do use are poorly located...
I just ordered a 670 because I thought the buttons were laid out rather nicely.

Have you seen that one?

You could try the Harmony 720 for $150 at Costco.com (incl. S+H and the Costco extended warranty).

- 6 activity buttons on a colour screen.
- Charger.
- Totally different layout from the 676.

The 720 will not do anything fundamentally different from the 676, but the layout will be different. You would have to decide if you think some of the buttons are still too small for you.

The Harmony 880 and 890 will get you eight activity buttons per "page" or "screen", but they have a similar peanut shape to the 676, albeit with a different button layout.

The URC range is expensive in general, and has other issues that you will need to research, but none of the buttons seem to be "pesky" or small. Some users describe them as being "built like a tank", which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your perspective. It really depends on what you are looking for.

I can point you to reviews of all of these if you are interested.

The URC MX 700 can be had for around $150 (maybe less).
It is an extremely flexible remote to program and is a pleasure to handle.
The MX 850 has a slightly better button scheme and is not much more expensive.
You can read all you want about them in the RemoteCentral.com forums.
Just make sure you buy from an authorized dealer so you will have updatable software.

BTW I have had my MX 700 since about 2001 and I've tried Prontos and the Harmonys and I've always come back to the MX 700 :)

Thanks for the information guys. I have been looking into each one of them. I did like the layout of the 880/890 better than the 676.

So what do you guys think of the Pronto remotes? I was looking at them as well as an option as they seem to have great reviews. Do you think it would work the way I want it to? If so, which one?

So what do you guys think of the Pronto remotes? I was looking at them as well as an option as they seem to have great reviews. Do you think it would work the way I want it to? If so, which one?
I've been using a Pronto TSU-2000 for several years now, but have recently switched to a Harmony 880. There were three main reasons I switched:

after a while having to lay out the UI on the Pronto gets tiresome
the Pronto (at least the one I have) is a two-handed device
you pretty much have to look at it every time you want to use it as the touch screen has no tactile indicator to tell you where the buttons are


I can't speak for the newer models, but other than the above complaints (which are really very subjective and my own personal biases), it's been a great remote and has made my entertainment system usable by my wife.

the new pronto has plenty of tactile buttons, and works quite well with one hand

What's the maximum activities that your remote can handle, and just how many do you need?