Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
by Logitech
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Our Price: $399.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $159.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Best Remote but use with a Gentle Touch
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't bore you with another review, just read all the others b/c this thing is great as all the other reviewers mention. Just want to share my "real world" experience with fellow Amazonians. This is my second 890, which was a replacement (under warranty) for an earlier failed unit. I kept the old one and have been using the replacement for over 3 years now.
It worked fine until a few weeks ago when the LCD screen stopped displaying. I knew it was just the LCD screen since I could press the buttons I had memorized and it would still control all my components. In defense of Logitech, I'm actually surprised it went beyond 2 years since this thing had taken abuse from the kids and had frequently been dropped on the floor.
Through some online forums, I learned that you can open the thing up and remove the LCD screen. Fortunately, I kept the old unit and decided to try swapping screens. I'm no electronics geek but decided to give it a try since I had nothing to lose. Pretty easy procedure. Removed the 2 screws on the outside and 2 on the inside, separated the main circuit board from the screen, removed the old screen, and put in the new one. It worked! I now have an almost new remote that will hopefully give me another couple of years. Next problem and I'll definitely be upgrading to the 900! If you can locate a cheap unit on-line for under 25 bucks it might be worth a shot!!
For all those people who complain it stopped working most likely dropped it and just won't admit it. Let's face it people, none of today's electronic products from a cell phone to a GPS unit to a remote are made to last forever. All have to be handled with care. If you don't break it the software will eventually be phased out and you'll need a new one anyway!!
Customer Review: This remote is excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
After realizing that I cannot function efficiently with 7 remotes, I decided I needed a good all in one remote that was fully functional but as cheap as possible. I almost passed this one up because of all the bad reviews and ratings. After looking at all the other remotes out there, I thought that this one was the most aesthetically pleasing, provided full functional support for everything and best priced. I still held off because some of the reviews were awful, but finally I got fed up with switching remotes and just bought it. I could not be happier. The set-up is easy (I am tech savvy, but the set-up was so easy that even if I weren't it would not have been much trouble) and I had no problems connecting it to my MacBook Pro. I heeded the warnings in the reviews and downloaded the most current software from Logitech. I have had no problems and this remote controls my TV, Fan, Roomba, Home theater, HDMI switch box, lights and Xbox. The only gripe I have is that it doesn't control the PS3 (unless you use the PS2 RF/USB receiver that came with the difficult-to-find PS2 DVD remote, then it will work but poorly), which is Sony's fault for making it only bluetooth compatible. This remote comes with an IR extender, which can add functionality for up to 8 other devices. I don't use it, but it's a nice touch for those that do want IR capability. It also will control products behind cabinets and glass via signal relay wires.
If you don't read my verbose review, that's cool. The bottom line is: This remote is easy to set-up with the most current software and provides FULL functional support for all of your products. It currently replaces 7 remotes in my apartment and I am sure it will control more if I need it to in the future. One caveat, it does not work with PS3.
Customer Review: High price for small benefit
Summary: 3 Stars
The Harmony 890 is an improvement over previous models. But still, these universal remotes are like taking all the complexity of six remotes and combining it into one.
When the remote gets out of synch with the state that your components are really in (e.g. it thinks your TV is off when it's really on), then the sequences start to get almost comical. Push "Watch a DVD" and the TV goes off, the sound system and DVD player goes on, etc. This is outside Logitech's control because some devices don't have distinct Power On and Power Off IR codes, only a Toggle Power code. So, when the remote doesn't know if a device is on, it has to make an assumption and decide if it should send a Toggle Power code. Frequently this is wrong.
While the styling is sleek, the shape of the unit and smooth profile of the buttons make it frustrating to use in the dark. Frequently-used keys like volume and channel don't have discrete edges, so navigating by feel is almost impossible. Without a firm grip, pressing one of the buttons near the right edge (with your right thumb) causes the unit to rotate out of your palm. That is, unless you have sticky hands, this sucker is slippery.
Finally, and probably my biggest gripe, is that the latency between pushing buttons and having the IR codes sent is way too long. Sometimes the response is good, but sometimes I'll push a key (e.g. volume up) and nothing happens. So, I push it again. Then again. Then, all of a sudden, I see the TV get a string of volume up signals and it starts blaring throughout the house. The remote that came with the TV (an expensive Sony HD model), has instantaneous response with the TV.
In the end, a step forward for Harmony, but still short of expectations.
Customer Review: RF is worth it!
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the complaints my father has with his Harmony remote is that you have to keep the remote aimed at the TV/Stereo, etc. while it emits all of the startup/shutdown codes to the various pieces of equipment. The startup/shutdown process can take a while and if you point the remote away from the entertainment center during this process, a code will not be received by the component(s) in your system. This is not a limitation of his Harmony remote, but all universal remotes that use IR to talk to all of the devices it is communicating with.
With the RF capabilities that the 890 remote offers, this is not a problem. While I think it is awkward that you have to choose whether or not a device is RF-only or IR-only, the RF capabilities have worked very well for me. There is no real lag time between key press on the remote and the cable box responding, for example.
The Harmony software and approach to universal remotes is very usable for non-technical people. My wife has been able to understand the "Watch TV" or "Play DVD" options that the main screen of the remote has. Though I will say that programming is not a 1-2-3 process (but I think the Harmony wizards, are as close to it as possible). I just don't expect Grandma to be programming this. The remote seems to keep its charge for several days.
The ergonomics of the remote could use some improvements. There is very little tactile difference between the lower buttons on the remote. Some buttons (particularly the outer edge buttons) are very small. Also, the bottom of the remote is rounded, so if you have the remote on the coffee table and press a button (like to quickly mute the TV before picking up the phone), the whole remote rolls over on the table.
Customer Review: Works great!
Summary: 5 Stars
I received the Harmony 890 a few days ago and after about 1 hour or so spent online, the remote was programmed and operated all my components accurately.
I did not use the software from the CD but rather the Logitech website software since it is the latest version.
The software was easy to use as long as you know how your audio/video system is connected.
The shape of the remote is nice and feels comfortable in the hand. Build quality seems good for plastic.
The only negatives I could find are that the back-lighting could be a little brighter, the remote is a bit slippery, and for this kind of dollars I would have preferred maybe an aluminum housing for durability.
My components are Sony STR-V555ES Receiver
Sony DVP-NS755V DVD Player
Sony KV-32FV26 TV
Mitsubishi HS-U776 VHS
Sirius Starmate ST3
HP m1270n Media Center PC
Logitech Z-5500 (PC) audio system
DirecTV receiver
And more to come!
All of these devices are operated by the remote without any problems. After I read all the reviews (before purchasing) I expected to have some difficulty programming as so many others have stated, but my programming process was flawless and easy. I actually enjoyed it!
Final thought...If you know how your a/v system is hooked up, you can operate your computer, and can follow directions it is a snap and you should just buy it and enjoy!
It is easy to add and remove components also. Just rerun the software and punch in the new device model number and answer some easy questions.