Hey everyone I'm looking for my first Universal remote.
I've got a pretty typical setup

Samsung 46" DLP HLS4676S
Harman Kardon AVR-430 Receiver
Motorola Digital Cable Box (charter)
Vista Ultimate HTPC with a Hauppauge tv tuner/ir blaster and remote
Philipsdvd player that doesn't get used often
Xbox 360

I've got about $100 to spend on this and I've read some great reviews about a lot of the logitech harmony remotes and i've been very happy with my logitech products.

I'm intuitive enough to figure out any programming software so that shouldn't be an issue but I would like one that perhaps is easier for my wife to control (if possible).

Thanks Forum goers I look forward to seeing your input and suggestions.

Hi Deez,

I have 3 harmony 550's and 1 720. Personally, I think you can't go wrong with these. They are easy to program and the activities buttons make
turning on and managing basic functions (Volume, channel changing etc)
very simple. The forum sponsor hidef lifestyle has pretty good prices and you can always check out Amazon. I wouldn't recommend the universal MX-500.
I found it much more difficult to program than the Harmony. Hope this helps,

DrDots

I agree that Harmony would be a great pick although I prefer the "peanut" shapes of the 6xx series as opposed to the 550/720.

Definately get a Harmony! I have a 670 and couldn't be happier :)

Awesome stuff now that i've been researching it a bit i see Amazon has the 880 for under $120 refurbished.. Anyone had any luck with refurbished remotes, since it still comes with a manufacture warranty. I really like the LI-ION battery that it offers!

I paid $78.00 for my Harmony 670 in Amazon. This universal remote is the best I ever had. The best part is that you can customize it so that you can control 2, 3, or more devices without changing modes. The activity buttons is definitely one of the best feature also.

Awesome stuff now that i've been researching it a bit i see Amazon has the 880 for under $120 refurbished.. Anyone had any luck with refurbished remotes, since it still comes with a manufacture warranty. I really like the LI-ION battery that it offers!
At under $130 new on amazon.com, including shipping, why bother with the refurb?

Ah Dang good call didnt see that they were 128 new!! Ill be purchasing one of them right now!

Whats the difference between the 670, 676 and the 880 besides the battery?

Whats the difference between the 670 and the 880 besides the battery?
Mostly button layout. The 880 has eight soft buttons on each LCD screen, the 670 only has six. This can avoid page scrolling from one screen to the next to access "soft" buttons in more complex setups. Oh, and price of course (check amazon.com).

Both have the same basic abilities (which are, as mentioned, quite impressive).

Mostly button layout. The 880 has eight soft buttons on each LCD screen, the 670 only has six. This can avoid page scrolling from one screen to the next to access "soft" buttons in more complex setups. Oh, and price of course (check amazon.com).

Both have the same basic abilities (which are, as mentioned, quite impressive).


Awesome. It doesn't look like it's worth the extra money to me then. I"ll pick up a 670.

Which one is the most durable?

I have 3 harmony 550's and 1 720.
DrDots, which do you prefer (550 or 720) and why?

Thanks...

I guess I really don't have a preference. The 720 has a nice color screen and is rechargeable but I kind of like the tactile feel of the buttons on the 550.
I got the 720 at Costco for a really good price but it was still almost twice as
much as the 550. I can't really find any difference in functionality between the two. Hope this helps.

Dr Dots

I guess I really don't have a preference.
That's okay... I was at Costco yesterday... saw the 720 for a nice price and grabbed it.

So far so good. :)

I think you're gonna love it!

Thanks!