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: Needs Work
Summary: 3 Stars
I owned a Logitech® Harmony® 659 Advanced Universal Remote for the past few years and loved it. Unfortunately some of the buttons started to wear out and I needed a replacement. I chose the Logitech® Harmony® 890 Advanced Universal Remote to specifically get the wireless RF extension. Most of my components are hidden away in another room and the IR repeater I had been using was trying my patience. The 890 with its included RF-IR repeater is a godsend. I am now able to control all my devices without having to constantly repeat the last command sent. This I absolutely love. The down-side, unfortunately, is the button arrangement of the 890 could use vast improvement. Just the skinny volume and channel selection buttons are enough to make me regret my purchase even with the success of the RF-IR repeater. If there had been any other handheld model supporting the wireless RF repeater, I would have taken it. If my old remote had not been starting to drive me insane (bad buttons plus my flaky IR repeater) I would have waited for Logitech® to produce better designed RF-IR remote.
Another feature I enjoy about the 890 is that its rechargable. I was using up batteries quite often. But, again due to poor physical design, the recharging station barely makes contact with the remote. I often have to re-seat the remote a few times to get it charging. A little bump of the table often knocks the remote off the contacts. Both irritating and helpful is the remote beeps when it either gains or loses contact with the charger. Irritating because the table is knocked often enough to cause the remote to beep often and helpful because I know when the remote is not charging.
Overall, the internal workings and reliability of the remote are excellent, but the physical design and layout are substandard. I do not know who thought streamlining the looks of the remote's buttons and charger was a good idea but whoever did sacrificed a lot of functionality just to make the remote and charging stand look "cool".
Customer Review: Harmony 890 Install using RF Extender - Just finished Install
Summary: 5 Stars
Just finished setting up a home theater and after reading the reviews decided to take a chance on the Logitech 890 with the RF extender. Received the remote at 11 AM and had my complete system running by 3 PM.
Took the advice of various reviews and popped the battery in to start charging the 890 before doing anything else. As this was going on I downloaded the latest version of the software - 7.5 (the disk had 7.3 on it). I then made a list of all my equipment - Sony KDL-52XBR6, Denon Blu-Ray DVD-2500BTCI, Denon receiver AVR-2908Ci, Xbox 360, motorized TV mount Peerless MM-860, and some Lutron light dimmers.
After about 2 hrs charging I started programming the remote. First I updated the Firmware on both the 890 and RF extender - took about 15 mins to do both.
I then entered the list of equipment in my setup and set up two 'Activities' to start with - watching TV and watching Blu-Ray/DVDs. The setup software walks you through a list of questions and then sets up the activity. I had to add a few 'extras' to include positioning the TV using the motorized mount. Then the information needs to be downloaded to the RF extended and the 890 - only takes a few minutes. I was ready to test the system....
Hooked up the RF extender inside the enclosed audio rack that has all the components, switched everything off then hit the button 'Watch TV'. Magically all my equipment switched on, all inputs were correctly selected, the receiver controlls the volume, the cablebox jumped to the correct channel, and the motorized mount positioned the TV - PERFECT on the first try.
Hit the 'Watch a DVD' button and the same story - everything works perfectly first time out. I have replaced numerous remotes and can control all the equipment hidden in an enclosure. Although this was a fairly simple setup to program I was impressed that all components and activities worked first time out.
By 3 PM my wife was using the system to watch the mummy trilogy.....
Customer Review: It has all the features you could ever want.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this remote about a month ago. I spent an hour looking for the manuals and model numbers of my equipment. With my information in hand it only took me 5 minutes to install the software, set up an account (Free) on Logitech's website. It took me about 20 minutes to enter my equipment information and to download the codes. Setting up the Activities, i.e. Watch TV, etc. took another 15 minutes. All of the functions of my equipment are supported. There are some extra functions that show up on the remote that I don't think are usable with my equipment models. These were easy to remove. You can rearrange the items on the remote's screen to whatever order you want. If you want to control just one device's functions press the device button and select the device from the list. All of the commands are there. The remote is comfortable to use. Some say the buttons are too small. I have big hands and I don't have any trouble. The buttons you use a lot are large enough. The ones you use less often are smaller but are still comfortable to use. I have not gotten to the point where I don't have to look for some of the buttons. The buttons are shaped in such a way that you can distinguish them from other buttons near them. There is a limit of 8 devices that can be controlled without line of site using the included RF receiver. 15 total items can be controlled with the remote. I only needed to control three units with the receiver. My A/V receiver, cable box and CD/DVD player. This setup allows me to sit outside on my deck and change the music I hear from the outside speakers. For you techies like me you can play all day making changes to the remote's layout until you get it to the way you feel is cool. For the non-techies but somewhat computer savy it is easy to setup and use. This remote is not what you want if you only have a TV, VCR, and DVD player. It's for those who want all the functions of 4 or more remotes in one device.Customer Review: Works as advertised and simple setup
Summary: 5 Stars
I heard a lot about this universal remote and read all the reviews. Was not until I actually bought one that I was able to see for myself how great it is. I have 2006 model year Samsung 50" plasma with new Samsung DVD, Dish Network VIP622 HD DVR, and Denon AVR-987 home theater receiver. Fortunately, it works with all with no problems and even does the 30 second skip feature for the DVR so no loss of ability to bypass pesky commercials. I read in several reviews how support for Denon was not good and several said they had problems with the on/off switching, but it worked first try without any problems. Perhaps more importantly, I'm the gadget guy of the house and my wife has had issues figuring out what remote does what and how to change settings for various viewing/listening modes. With the Harmony 890, it is sooo simple. Just push Watch TV and I have it programmed to change to the correct digital sound, her favorite station, etc....then Play DVD when she wants to listen to her country music in 5 channel surround. So nice not to have to go switch it around for her. Why didn't I get one of these a long time ago? Also, a very cool feature not made obvious is that the 890 has a gyro type sensor in it so that when you pick up the remote or tilt it, it knows to turn on the LCD screen meaning you never have to wake up the remote or push a button to see the screen...very nice addition. The only issue I experienced was my own failure to read the fine print. Would be good if Amazon made it more obvious that when you buy the 890, it includes the RF wireless extender. I missed that and ordered it separately paying an extra $105 by mistake only to find it was included with the 890. No worries though since I'm returning to get my money back, but wish I had known ahead of time to save the shipping expense. So...long story short, this remote is AWESOME and works great with the new Denon AVR-987 and I have to assume all other late model A/V gear.Customer Review: Logitech Harmony 890 hits 5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're just a little tech minded and don't have a lot of equipment to turn off and on (I have a TV, Receiver, DVD player and Cable Box) I can vouch quite highly for this remote.
First one charged up then failed, second one works fine after one month use. Tech help was very good in setting up the replacement once he figured out a new unit was needed.
Setup through web was convenient. Be sure to be fussy about model number accuracy. Help button actually works in troubleshooting.
Infrared works well enough as long as you have a well positioned repeater (as I do), or equipment in open shelves. But RF is the place to be. I found some fussiness initially in setting it up but persisted in the "techiness" required. That's so worth it; no need to point it in a particular direction, or stand in the next room; your equipment sees and obeys. This feature is almost worth the price of the entire unit.
Buttons are a little on the small side, but once you're trained you can find most by touch. It's truly convenient that the "hard" buttons (eg "Menu", "Guide" etc.) work for each component.
I have a love/hate relationship with rechargeable batteries.I have to change my behavior with this unit in order to charge it without leaving it in the cradle too long and accidentally overcharging.
My wife actually finds it tolerable which is a first. One button to watch TV, another for DVD. Simple.
So at $299 net, you can save yourself several hundred dollars over a certain competitor that generally recommends a technician to come out and set it up (and come back for an additional fee if you change equipment).
Overall I'm impressed, having used the old Marantz RC 2000 Mark II for years, and constantly hearing from my wife about how I just had to make watching TV so complicated. Ahhh, such a relief for both of us!
So once you get over the fussiness of setup you'll never go back to infrared. Enjoy!