I currently have the 880 which I got 2 years ago. For the last 3 months it is really giving me problems (turns of when you move it, does not charge, etc..) and I want to replace it.

I am going to set myself a budget of $250 but may go over it if it makes sense to do that. If it is possible, I have a ceiling fan that is remote controlled that I would like the new remote to do.

My setup is all in 1 room. Sony TV and DVD; Yamaha receiver, Armstrong cable box (motorola) is my setup.

Thanks

I hope you can get by for a whole lot less than $250 to be able to control what you list. For your components - the ceiling fan I don't know about - you could easily get by with a $79 MX-500. Especially if you have all the original remotes and can learn from them. I have one and very much like it. $250 puts you in the class of "trophy show remotes" IMHO, but that level is desired by many, and maybe even needed by a few.

I agree that the MX-500 will control your gear, but you won't have access to descrete codes unless they're on the original remotes (which most do not have). I would suggest the MX-850. It has better backlighting, seperate "select" button, RF capabilities, and PC programming. All with the same ergonomics as the 500. As a former owner of both, I can say that the 850, IMO is worth the extra scratch.

Just my $.02

I was doing research for about a month on a stupid remote control! I just bought the MX-900 and decided it over the MX-850 really just because I thought it looked a little better and the increased character space on the LCD. It was only $25 more, I think. I think the LCD character limit is critical and probably didn't realize just how important it was when purchasing.

The only thing I dont like about it is the awful software GUI. It's usable but could easily be optimized.

I hope you can get by for a whole lot less than $250 to be able to control what you list. For your components - the ceiling fan I don't know about - you could easily get by with a $79 MX-500. Especially if you have all the original remotes and can learn from them. I have one and very much like it. $250 puts you in the class of "trophy show remotes" IMHO, but that level is desired by many, and maybe even needed by a few.

I set that as my budget becuase I wanted something better then the 880 which I think I paid 80 bucks for a few years ago on a dell deal. I was never totally satisfied with it so I was looking for something more which usually means more $$

My system cost me a good bit of money (more then 10k) so I also want something that is a little trophy as well ;)

I agree that the MX-500 will control your gear, but you won't have access to descrete codes unless they're on the original remotes (which most do not have). I would suggest the MX-850. It has better backlighting, seperate "select" button, RF capabilities, and PC programming. All with the same ergonomics as the 500. As a former owner of both, I can say that the 850, IMO is worth the extra scratch.

Just my $.02

What is a descrete code and why would it be better for me to have them?


I was doing research for about a month on a stupid remote control! I just bought the MX-900 and decided it over the MX-850 really just because I thought it looked a little better and the increased character space on the LCD. It was only $25 more, I think. I think the LCD character limit is critical and probably didn't realize just how important it was when purchasing.

The only thing I dont like about it is the awful software GUI. It's usable but could easily be optimized.

What would be a place with great customer service and good prices to purchase a remote from?

I bought the MX-850 about a year ago and have been very happy with it. I bought it from www.surfremotecontrol.com . Their prices and customer support were great!

The discrete codes give you access to commands that are not available on the original remote. For example, they often have Power ON & OFF as 2 separate commands instead of just one POWER button or you can go directly to any surround setting rather than cycling through them. The same is true for a TV/VIDEO button. You can go directly to INPUT 6 instead of hitting the TV/Video button 6 times.