Quote:
Originally Posted by
Spaceman 
I'm in the market for a new remote and am interested in the URC line. I can't seem to find a thread or site that compares all of their models and features in one nice summary. Their website is a bit cumbersome and I've read through some of the individual threads here, but it's becoming very time consuming to make notes on each model one at a time. If someone knows of a comparison summary, could you post a link?
I don't know of any published comparisons but I am glad to share the information I have.
URC makes 3 lines of remote control solutions.
They make a line of remote controls targeted directly at consumers. These remotes have model numbers starting with "URC". They are all programmed directly on the remote and offer varying degrees of functionality. The most interesting of these is the URC-R40.
The next line of remotes they offer is the "Complete Control" line of remotes. The models still in production are nearly all(excluding mx-350, mx-450 and mx-500) programmed via PC software. These remotes are targeted at professional installers but they do allow the software to be distributed to consumers at the discretion of the dealer. URC does not generally provide support directly to the end user on these products.
The newest line is the "Total Control" line of remotes. These are an IP based home control and automation solution and sold exclusively to professional installers. The software is only available to direct dealers.
I will focus on the "Complete Control" line since it seems like that is what you would be most interested in from your above post. More specifically, the models that are handheld and PC programmable.
First off, all of them will control the number of devices you have noted plus many more. Also, they all work via IR and/or RF. RF usage will require the purchase of a compatible RF base station.
MX-850 - The MX-850 is in my opinion the final evolution of what URC started in the 90's with the mx-500. It is PC programmable however, due to the age of it's design, it requires a serial port or adapter to program. It is has a basic LCD screen that shows 10 commands at a time, up to 5 characters in length. The MX-850 has proven to be extremely durable and uses traditional batteries.
MX-900/MXW-920 - The MX-900 is also a basic LCD display. It has 6 commands per page and each can be 7 characters long. It has support for basic variables allowing you to perform one set of actions if a variable is set to true or another if it is set to false. It uses traditional batteries and has proven to be durable. The MXW-920 is very similiar with a couple of key exceptions. The big one is that it is waterproof.
MX-780 - The MX-780 is one of the newer remotes. It has a color LCD. There are 6 commands per page. Two lines of text per command and there are two font sizes available. It has support for basic variables allowing you to perform one set of actions if a variable is set to true or another if it is set to false. It uses traditional batteries.
MX-880 - The MX-880 has a color LCD with 6 commands per page. The LCD is larger than the MX-780. Two lines of text per command and there are two font sizes available. It has support for basic variables allowing you to perform one set of actions if a variable is set to true or another if it is set to false. It uses a rechargeable battery and the remote is plugged directly into the cord.
NOTE: The remotes above this line are all relatively easy to program and excluding the MX-850 have more or less similar programming schemes. The remotes below this line are considerably more advanced and as a result take more skill to program. They also offer substantially more flexibility.
MX-980 - The MX-980 has 8 commands per screen and offers many options for text and graphics. Including the ability to select font and font sizes, color and placement options. It can have images on any page. It has a full implementation of variables and if/then/else logic. It uses a rechargeable battery and includes a charging cradle. The unit must be connected to the cradle in order to charge it.
MX-1200 - The MX-1200 includes a touch screen with somewhat flexible layout and controls. It offers font sizes, color and placement options but does not have the ability to select other fonts. It can have images on any page. It has a full implementation of variables and if/then/else logic. It uses a rechargeable battery and includes a charging cradle. The unit must can be placed in the cradle or plugged in directly for charging.
MX-5000 - The MX-5000 offers a touch screen with flexible layout options and many options for text and graphics. Including the ability to select font and font sizes, color and placement options. It can have images on any page. It has a full implementation of variables and if/then/else logic. In addition to IR and RF it offers two way IP communication via WiFi. It does not have a 10-key number pad though it can be implemented on the touch screen. It uses a rechargeable battery and includes a charging cradle. The unit must be connected to the cradle in order to charge it.
MX-6000 - The MX-5000 offers a touch screen with flexible layout options and many options for text and graphics. Including the ability to select font and font sizes, color and placement options. It can have images on any page. It has a large screen and very few hard buttons. It has a full implementation of variables and if/then/else logic. In addition to IR and RF it offers two way IP communication via WiFi. It does not have a 10-key number pad though it can be implemented on the touch screen. It uses a rechargeable battery and includes a charging cradle. The unit must be connected to the cradle in order to charge it.
**Disclaimer/Full disclosure - I have never personally used the MXW-920, MX-5000 or MX-6000 although I have done programming work for the MX-5000.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Spaceman
I think I've ruled out Harmony based on reviews. The general consensus seems to be that they are a little easier to program but aren't made particularly well and are more expensive than other units with similar features. Is that a fair statement?
In my opinion Harmony remotes are very easy to program as long as what you want to do with your remote is exactly what they offer. If you desire to go outside of that you either will end-up with complicated work-arounds or simply not be able to make them do what you want. I also agree that most modern harmony's are not particularly durable. On the price side, I think they fill a place in the market that nobody else has been able to establish a stronghold in. The value they provide varies from model to model with some providing better value than others.
