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Strengths: Visually a remote control that compliments a high-tech home theater. High contrast display screen and fully backlight keypad. Not as bulky as other home theater remotes in the same genre. Downloadable firmware and an ever increasing number of downloada
Weaknesses: Plastic construction allows some flexing when pressing buttons at the top of the remote. Included software was not so easy to setup and use, but the online configuration tool is much better.
Summary: Anyone with a home theater will understand this challenge. You get everything to work just the way you want it... you know which remote controls the TV, which one controls the volume, which one changes the channel on the satellite receiver or the cable set-top box, but when you leave your wife alone with it all Hell breaks loose. No one but you can get the system to function correctly. The Harmony series of remotes solves all that at a price point that fits most budgets. I purchased this remote after concluding that the Logitech Harmony 880, while performing all of the functions that I needed, simply was too expensive as an entry level home theater remote (retail price is $199, available as low as $175). I returned the 880 and have been very happy with the 520 (retail price is $99, available as low as $75) ever since.
The initial setup of the device was a little problematic. Installation and setup require that the included software be installed. During the install the software will check for newer versions of software, device firmware, and device profiles. Even though I was probably one of the first owners of the 520, the install routine still required software/firmware updates. After making the updates in the software, the connection to the remote failed numerous times. I have read user reviews on other sites, and this does not appear to be an isolated situation... so be persistent. After several uninstall, reinstall attempts and a reboot or two, I made a connection and successfully setup the basic functions of the remote. Setup is easy... you basically select your devices (TV, DVD/VCR player, cable/satellite boxes if any, home theater set-up, etc.). The devices are found in a database of devices 80,000 strong and updated daily. The set-up routine transfers the commands for the devices to the remote via. USB. The product literature suggests that 12 devices can be controlled with the 520. I don't have nearly that many devices, but the commands transferred to the remote appear to be quite comprehensive and complete. For instance, viewing the available commands for my home theater system includes 12 pages of available commands. ALthough I do not have any home automation devices (i.e lights, home security, etc.) to add to the remote, it appears from the set-up choices they can be added to the 520 (I assume they need to be IR devices and not RF devices).
It should be noted that there is also a web interface that will also walk you through the setup (it's great, because today at lunch I updated a few settings from my desktop at work and tonight I'll simply transfer the new settings to the device at home).
Support from Logitech has been impressive. I've only had to call once to inquire about the correct way to set-up my DirecTV/TiVo box (combined unit that is not specifically covered in the set-up), and the response has been quick (no wait), helpful (solved my problem), and personable.
In short, this is a remote that I would recommend to entry level home theater users, non-technically inclined friends and family, etc. I would rate is an 8 or 9 out of a possible 10.
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