Happy OFA Cinema 7, (and Cinema 6 before that), user here. Unfortunately, my URC7801 has been acting up and really didn't like my switch to a Panasonic plasma and HD cable box. It ran out of learning space, now it won't accept the new codes, even after resetting to the factory settings. Maybe just tired.

My question is, what's a good replacement? I was happy with the OFA Cinema series, given the ability to learn to every key, the handy size, decent ergonomics, and especially the <$15 price.

I'm looking at the 89xx and 99xx OFAs, which are available relatively cheaply on ebay, and the Universal Remote R7 or R5 that are in every big box store. Also - are the flat smooth blue Kameleons any good - or just a gimmick?

For the relative performance, I don't see paying ~$100 for Harmony or similar. If I need to make any complicated adjustments to any component settings, I can just go to the original remotes. Any other advantages to the more expensive offerings?

TIA

Give the radio shack 15-135 a try. Its billed as the HDTV remote, it accepts advanced codes, 5 digit advanced codes. It has learning, and its $20.

HA! I had a Cinema 7 and loved it! It was the most reliable of the remotes I had for the longest time. Now, after much deliberating, I have a OFA URC-8910 and it's definitely picking up where the Cinema 7 left off!

The latest OFA are 10820 (10 device), 8820 (8 device), 6820 (6 device). If you like the C7, you'll like these.

http://www.ofausa.com/list_remotes.php?type=Premium+Learning+Line

These all have a greater capacity for learning (over 100 commands), and a huge built in code library.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I ended up buying a Sony 8 component learning remote for $20, based largely on the review over on that remote control website. I'm sure the 10820, 8820 or 6820 would also have worked fine, as would the Radio Shack version. Hopefully it works as well as my old OFAs did!