Day to day use of a Harmony 700
Pros: Allows use of one remote to control many devices. Rechargeable, meaning no expensive batteries to replace. Feels good in your hand.
Cons: My computer will NOT charge the power. Needs to use the wall charger that came with it.
My family and I have been using this remote since November 2011 and have not had any major issues with it. This is my first experience with any universal remote control.
At the time of it's purchase (November, 2011), I needed to control a Directv receiver box, my A/V receiver, our DVD/VCR device, a Roku box and eventually, a home theater PC. I needed to keep the cost as reasonable as possible to keep it within the "spouse acceptance factor." We all have been juggling three and four different remotes to watch TV or listen to music, etc.
Programming with Logitech's software was a learning curve, although not insurmountable. Logitech's database had all the information I needed (although, finding the Roku box data was in a strange location within the database. Logitech considers it a DVD device, for some reason.) I wish the Logitech software were more "fluid." There are repetitive steps relating to the software writing the programming the remote needs. It was something I got use to.
All in all the Harmony 700 filled our needs very well. After 8 to 10 days or so, the remote will need to be recharged. Just plug it into the provided wall charger and over night (actually about 3-4 hours or so) it is fully charged and ready for use.
The 700 model is the same as the 650 model, with the exception that the 650 model uses "AA" batteries. At the time of my purchase, using the 700 remote for two years begins saving us money in NOT having to purchase batteries (for the 650.) This calculated by the difference in cost of the remotes (700 vs 650) compared to cost estimates for replacement "AA" batteries for the 650. (Now 15 months after our purchase, battery prices have risen faster than I expected so this fact should reduce the two year time frame estimate I calculated 15 months ago.)
The sceptic in me is waiting for the charge cycle to begin to deteriorate (as all laptop and other rechargeable devices do) to make my final determination that the 700 was a good value for my dollar. As of this writing (15 months after purchase) the charge cycle (how long it takes to 'run down' and need charging) remains the same. Only time of use will give me that final answer.
Overall, my wife loves the simplicity of a single remote. Gone are the days of the remote juggle to make adjustments to our listening environment.
At the time of it's purchase (November, 2011), I needed to control a Directv receiver box, my A/V receiver, our DVD/VCR device, a Roku box and eventually, a home theater PC. I needed to keep the cost as reasonable as possible to keep it within the "spouse acceptance factor." We all have been juggling three and four different remotes to watch TV or listen to music, etc.
Programming with Logitech's software was a learning curve, although not insurmountable. Logitech's database had all the information I needed (although, finding the Roku box data was in a strange location within the database. Logitech considers it a DVD device, for some reason.) I wish the Logitech software were more "fluid." There are repetitive steps relating to the software writing the programming the remote needs. It was something I got use to.
All in all the Harmony 700 filled our needs very well. After 8 to 10 days or so, the remote will need to be recharged. Just plug it into the provided wall charger and over night (actually about 3-4 hours or so) it is fully charged and ready for use.
The 700 model is the same as the 650 model, with the exception that the 650 model uses "AA" batteries. At the time of my purchase, using the 700 remote for two years begins saving us money in NOT having to purchase batteries (for the 650.) This calculated by the difference in cost of the remotes (700 vs 650) compared to cost estimates for replacement "AA" batteries for the 650. (Now 15 months after our purchase, battery prices have risen faster than I expected so this fact should reduce the two year time frame estimate I calculated 15 months ago.)
The sceptic in me is waiting for the charge cycle to begin to deteriorate (as all laptop and other rechargeable devices do) to make my final determination that the 700 was a good value for my dollar. As of this writing (15 months after purchase) the charge cycle (how long it takes to 'run down' and need charging) remains the same. Only time of use will give me that final answer.
Overall, my wife loves the simplicity of a single remote. Gone are the days of the remote juggle to make adjustments to our listening environment.
As of this writing, February 2013, the Logitech Harmony 700 is no longer offered by Logitech. There are a few still available on Amazon but, they will not last long.
The general principles of one common remote to do the job of several remotes still apply. Do your own research and you will be pleased with the simplification.
The general principles of one common remote to do the job of several remotes still apply. Do your own research and you will be pleased with the simplification.
