Logitech Harmony 890 Remote Control - Refurbished
by Logitech
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List Price: Our Price: $279.00 You Save: $20.99 (7%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $250.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 890 Remote Control - Refurbished
Customer Review: One remote and no more pointing, finally!
Summary: 4 Stars
Rats, had this review just about finished and something crashed so sorry if it's posted twice. We've wanted a universal remote for some time but many of them looked so cheesy. I've looked at the Harmony remotes many times but didn't want to spend so much money. I grabbed this refurbished 890 when I got a text message that it was a Gold Box deal for a fraction of the regular price. Then I read the reviews and cringed. However, my remote and extender look and work like new. Initial setup was also flawless (software installation, software communicating with extender and remote, etc.). I did not bother with the included CD as the drivers on those are usually outdated so as always, I downloaded the latest drivers from the Logitech site. I must admit that I only read the included quick start guides, not the whole user manual, and this is perhaps why I struggled with some of the setup and with the concept of Activities (I initially thought there was supposed to be an Activity associated with each Device). I now have 3 devices set up and they're all associated with one activity, Watch TV. Pressing the Watch TV button turns them all on and pressing the Off button turns them all off. Initially, the Sony TV and Denon AV receiver would not turn on or off. The TV could be turned on and off by using those functions in its device settings but the AV receiver was totally non-responsive. Logitech tech support was very courteous and patient and after over an hour got the TV working but had to bump the AV receiver issue up to level 2 support, which means a callback. However, when I hung up, I deleted the AV receiver and re-added it and now it too works perfectly. The only remaining issue is that the Brighthouse Samsung DVR box turns on for a second and then turns off. I have to press the Watch TV button a second time to turn it back on, but I'm sure that will be resolved as well. I just don't want to mess with it right now because everything else is working perfectly. We've emptied our original remotes of batteries and stored them. No more reaching for yet another remote to do something and no more clutter. Since the menus on the original remotes are accessible on the Harmony remote, there's no reason to keep the original remotes at hand. Another real convenience is that on the Harmony remote, you can jump to the desired video input with a press of a button. On the original Sony remote, you had to cycle through the video inputs when switching from TV to one of the gaming consoles. At least as thrilling is the RF feature. Our family room has several seating options, not all of which have a direct line of sight to each device. Adjusting some of the devices from some locations in the room was a contortionist activity. Now we can point anywhere while sitting anywhere to make everything work. I would have given this 5 stars if the setup wasn't a bit squirrelly. The Denon receiver was set up pretty much the same way the first time I added so why did it take deleting it and re-adding it to make it work? Two techs say the cable box setup is error-free so why does it only turn on for a second? The good news is that there are plenty of setup options to play with if something doesn't work correctly and tech support is willing to assist. They even speak English. I found out that learning IR raw is better as it does not draw from the Logitech database so learns the programming of the original remotes from scratch. It also may sound like a duh but it's really important to know how the original remotes are programmed, meaning if one button toggles the device on and off it has to be set up that way on the Harmony remote. Because there's a lot to pay attention to during setup, it's easy to make a mistake or overlook something here. In the end, I guess it's a bit like childbirth - once you've gotten through the pain and struggle, it's totally worth it. I'd do it again 100 times to have one remote control everything from everywhere in the room. I've ordered the Harmony adapter for the PS3 so we'll be able to control that device with the Harmony remote as well. Another original remote bites the dust! Thanks Logitech and thanks to Amazon for another great shopping experience.Customer Review: Good remote, lousy Logitech software
Summary: 3 Stars
I have a long love-hate relationship with Logitech because the company generally makes excellent hardware that's bundled with the crappiest software I have ever seen and the Logitech Harmony 890 is par for the course. The remote itself is absolutely brilliant and does what hardware manufacturers have been unable or unwilling to do before -- give us one remote that controls 'em all. The so-called "universal" remotes don't help because they have no clue that devices need to change inputs.
The Logitech Harmony series is quite different and significantly more intelligent than the cheap "universal" remotes sold by other manufacturers. The idea is fairly simple: tell the Logitech Harmony remote which devices you have, define the activities for those devices, and it handles the rest. To perform an activity, all you need to do is select one of the activity buttons on the remote: Watch TV turns on the cable/satellite box, turns on the receiver and set it to the CABLE/SATELLITE input, and turns on the TV and sets it to the appropriate HDMI input.
If needed, a wireless extender can be used to allow you to control devices hidden in closets or behind doors that aren't reachable with standard IR remotes. Logitech also sells a bluetooth extender that allows you to control a PlayStation 3 with the Logitech Harmony remote so you don't need to grab a Sixaix controller or a separate Bluetooth remote to watch movies.
The problem is trying to program the remote with Logitech's horrible software. On the surface the software seems to be relatively easy to use. Go into the Devices tab and add each device you want to control. This is fairly trivial because allows you to simply select the type of device, the manufacturer, and then enter the model number. Once the devices are defined, you can add activities such as Watch TV, Watch a Movie, Play a Game, Listen to Radio, etc. and the software magically figures out the appropriate settings to use for each device.
The first several times I went through the configuration process, the software continually bombed trying to update the wireless extender. I'm still confused here because the error message says the version of the wireless extender I have (e.g. the one that came in the box with the remote) is incompatible with the remote. After half a dozen times of starting from scratch and getting the same bloody error, I tossed the wireless extender out and started from scratch again.
When I attempted to update the remote without the wireless extender, the software threw up an error saying the update is too large for the remote to accept. After several more trials and errors, I finally managed to get the remote programmed and I'm crossing my fingers that I never have to go through that bloody mess again.
As I said, the software does seem to be trivially easy to use on the surface. The worst part of the software is that the error messages given don't really help identify the underling problem, the suggestions are often obsolete (e.g. at one point it told me to unplug the remote and press a button that doesn't exist either on the remote or in the software), I never found anything searching through help (just the typical "no results found"), and the knowledgebase doesn't help at all.
I do recommend the remote, though. You'll be thrilled with the ease of performing activities with it, but expect to spend a few hours fighting with the software to get the bloody thing programmed. And don't expect a quick response from Logitech if you have questions--Logitech support is nearly non-existant. The Logitech Harmony Forum is the best place to get answers from other users, but it'll take a while to get a response.
Customer Review: A TiVo lover's review
Summary: 2 Stars
I've had TiVo for many years now, and one of the distinctive features I've been spoiled by is the amazing form factor of the latest TiVo remote controls. While the Harmony does control all of my devices quite admirably, I have to say that the ergonomics of the 890 STINK big time, especially compared to the TiVo remote. Few reasons:
- The buttons are too small and too close together. Completely unusable without looking at the remote. The TiVo remote has actually become an extension of my hand. When I'm using it, I feel like a Jedi controlling the tv with my mind.
- The volume and channel +/- buttons in particular are horribly designed -- each is a single button with a shallow curve distinguishing + form -, and the buttons are so thin that they're really hard to press accurately.
- If all of these buttons weren't bad enough, the most important ones on the remote -- those that change between activities -- are TINY! Seriously, I often have to grip the remote in one hand so that I can reliably poke these buttons with the other. I honestly can't believe these buttons.
- The numeric buttons at the bottom are also too close to the bottom of the remote, while the back of the remote is too flat and/or does not have enough grip. Again, single-handed number pressing is really difficult. In contrast, the TiVo remote numbers are also at the bottom, but with more space between them and the end of the remote. Also, the TiVo has a nicely curved back that hugs your palm very naturally and has ergonomic ridges that add grip. Again, the TiVo just feels like part of your hand while the Harmony feels like I'm going to drop it if I try to hit anything in the bottom few rows of buttons.
- The buttons are terribly difficult to mash -- you have to push really hard on them and there is no satisfying feeling that you really pressed the button well -- not enough "action" in the buttons. The TiVo remote buttons give a nice gentle "click" that provides the perfect tactile feedback.
Those are all generic issues with the form factor. Specifically with this refurbished version, my remote has several buttons that don't seem to work at all. A few of the number buttons do nothing (programming is correct, and other numbers do work). Overall, I am very dissatisfied with this thing.
If you have TiVo and love your TiVo remote like I do, run far away from the 890. I'm going to try another one -- maybe the Harmony One. Like I said, the control over my devices (tv, receiver, dvd) seems to work well in general, which is why I give it a couple of stars. I really REALLY want to love the Harmony as much as I love my TiVo. But as a replacement for my TiVo remote, and for its abysmal form factor, the 890 is an epic fail.
UPDATE: Just got my Harmony One today and tried it out this evening. It is superior to the 890 in every possible way (unless you need RF support I guess, but that was not my main priority). In fact, they seem to have taken a cue from the TiVo remote in the One, as it has several TiVo-specific buttons on it. The layout and feel is 1,000 times better than the 890. Anyone who gave the 890 a positive review has obviously not tried the One (and should). I think I finally have my single remote solution.
Customer Review: Product o.k., Support absolutely terrible.
Summary: 1 Stars
Have had this remote a little over a month. Setup was easy only because of the software that comes with it and that can be updated online. Operation was good, too, once everything was set up. I needed to access the software in order to update the remote for some changes in equipment with our home theater. Unfortunately, the software has to have online access to a Logitech server in order to function. Today, when I tried to access the software I got a big window with error messages listed and the software would not open. Tried rebooting, reinstalling software, etc. Nothing helped. Went to Logitech support website and was told best way to access help for the product was VIA the software (which won't open). Anolther Catch 22?
The manuals that came with the product are mere "pamphlets". The online, print your own, manual is a little bit better, but not much.
Tried sending emails for help - got computer generated responses which don't come close to addressing the current issues.
Tried accessing the Logitech forum, which I have used before. Said password was invalid. Asked for email with password to be sent; Logitech said: " Your password is: (none set)". Tried to reregister and set a password, site said email already registered. Another "loop of death" from Logitech support.
There is a NONE-toll free number available via the website. How can we guess how long I would be on hold - on my nickel,with no help, ever?
Finally Googled the error message. From 2006 up through today there are many, many complaints and comments on other forums about this subject error message and the frustrating lack of any real solution or support. To date, they have done nothing to make purchasers aware of the ongoing errors. There is nothing currently in their site's FAQs about this; at least where it is easy to find. A Logitech employee stated on one forum that the error meant the the Logitech server was unavailable. So Logitech's answer is to block access to the software and post an unregistered, unexplained error message on your computer. The employee suggested closing the browser and trying again, rebooting and trying again, etc. The idea was to try accessing a server that worked. None of these things worked for me or anyone else who were posting comments.
A product can be the best ever engineered, however, if the software is faulty and the tech support is very substandard, why buy it? If it works it is great, if it doesn't it is useless and cannot ever be made to work if help is not forthcoming. This product, even at the refurbished price is too expensive due to the problems that come with it.
At present I strongly advise against purchase of this product or any other Logitech product due to lack of viable support. Everyone in my family uses Logitech products because they were pretty reliable and useable. Their support used to be good, too. It is unfortunate that overall product quality and service is eroding.
It is strongly suggested that you do not purchase this product.
Customer Review: So far so good
Summary: 4 Stars
Just got a refurbished unit, and thought I would get down my initial impressions. I'll update this review if anything changes (including deleting it and copying the text into a new review if I decide that I have to change my rating).
First off, everything *looks* great. No scuffs, and no indication that the remote was used at all. The aesthetics of the remote and the cradle are fantastic (the remote may look just a bit busy, but that's hard to avoid).
Setup was a breeze, though the software is slightly antiquated. For example, I had to setup my blu-ray player under the "Play DVD" activity, which is a little confusing. It feels like they should have been able to upgrade the software to reflect this. But it recognized all of my devices and everything seems to be working well.
The good:
- This unit has far more functionality than I would have suspected. Most of the cheaper "universal remotes" will do little more than power devices on or off, change channel, adjust volume, and allow rudimentary control of playback (play, stop, pause, etc.). I always seem to need the original remotes, though, to access special controls (onscreen menus, for example). The Harmony 890 seems to control everything I need (so far) and has the ability to accept more functionality if I find that I need it.
- The "activities" buttons are great! I just press "watch TV" for example, and my TV turns on, my receiver turns on, everything sets to the appropriate inputs, and then the remote becomes a fusion of my TiVo remote and my receiver remote. It's such a time saver, and I don't have to explain the setup to my wife or parents any more.
The bad:
- The remote sometimes doesn't connect to the charger correctly. Sometimes I have to drop it into its cradle several times before it starts charging the batteries.
- The actual media buttons (play, pause, etc.) are near the bottom of the remote in an area that I find very uncomfortable to my hand. I might get used to it, though.
- The buttons are numerous, small, and poorly labelled. It takes a while to find a button, and they are difficult to keep straight by touch. Again, this may well be something that I'll get used to in time.
All-in-all, it's been fairly easy to use (though I am something of a tech-head, and can see that the initial programming might be frustrating for some people) and the functionality is great! If my opinion changes as I get to know the 890, I'll come back and edit this. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend this, especially if you can find it on a reasonable sale.