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| Date Reviewed: 05/30/2006 |
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 Great remote, but setup could be so much better Strengths: Ease of use once set up, Logitech phone support
Weaknesses: Programming is a hassle -- software is terrible. Expensive compared to similar models.
Summary: For me, the killer feature of the Harmony 890 (like other Harmony remotes) is the activity-based menus. It makes the remote easy to use for people who don't know your particular set-up by letting them select from Activities such as "Watch a DVD" or "Watch TiVo." Initiating the Activity turns on all the relevant devices and puts them all in the right mode. While in the context of an activity, the Harmony has eight programmable "soft" buttons that you can program to be the most useful buttons for that mode (e.g., in "Watch TiVo," they include commonly-used special buttons like "TiVo," "Now Playing," and "30-second skip," as well as the screen-size adjustment from the projector).
I selected the Harmony 890 (over the cheaper 880) for its built-in RF-to-IR repeater capability. I use my Harmony 890 remote to control four devices in my home theater setup. My home theater components are in a stack on the side of the room, and I have a ceiling-mounted front projector. All this means that there are no devices at the front of the room where you naturally point the remote. With the RF-to-IR repeater, this doesn't matter, the Harmony can be pointed anywhere (or even in another room), and the RF repeater relays the commands to the devices... it just works. In the future, I'm hoping to get some Z-Wave radio-controlled dimmers for the overhead lights.
The Harmony also has good in-context help. When starting an Activity or turning off the system, if something doesn't go right, you can just hit "help" on the menu, and it'll walk through common problems (e.g., "Is the Receiver on?"), and it addresses the problems that would normally involve a summons from the other room ("Something's wrong with the TV again, can you come in here and fix it?").
Battery life is great -- it'll last a couple days off the cradle/charger.
Remote ergonomics are so-so. Button layout could definitely be better, and all the buttons are the same size, making them hard to find by feel. On the plus side, the motion-triggered backlight works great. I just pick up the remote and it lights up. The one place where it isn't as good as a native remote is in heavily menu-based devices (like my TiVo), where a mismatch in the length of a signal (or between signals) can make a big difference. As a result, I still reach for my TiVo remote rather than the Harmony if I'm doing more than just a couple simple button presses.
The biggest problem was the difficulty in getting the devices set up. This took me multiple multi-hour sessions, and I'm very comfortable with computer & A/V technology. The provided software is terrible -- it's unstable, clumsy, the screens are confusingly designed, and the various options to fine-tune a device's operation were often buried in strange places. I've heard the web-based interface is better, but I didn't get this advice until I was pretty much done. The addition of the RF repeater made the programming less convenient -- I had to unplug the repeater from inside my A/V stack every time.
One recommendation is to make use of the phone support when you're stuck. Yes, I mean you -- the one who never calls tech support. Call them. They have special settings available to them that you don't have, and they know how to make the Harmony work really well.
I guess primarily I'm disappointed that the Harmony didn't live up to my expectations... I'd heard they were easy to use and easy to set up. But if you're willing to struggle through the setup, as I was, you can get to a really nice place where a pile of remotes and special magic modes and buttons can be replaced with something that makes sense.
 100% of People (55/55) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/28/2006 |
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Logitech Latest
Strengths: Uses RF, even to control IR devices. Nice color display, someone modifiable. You can awaken the remote by motion (just picking it up).
Weaknesses: Although it uses RF, I still have to buy a $150 part to get it to control my Bose system. BOOHOO. SLOW response time for use with a DVR FF and RW. You are stuck with the default icons and titles.
Summary: I'm happy with my purchase although I feel it is still way overpriced for what you get. This is a REMOTE right? $200+? It's nice that they have done a fairly good job of bridging all component remotes into one, however, here are still many shortcomings. #1 THERE SOFTWARE SUCKS! Please, look at some of Apple's software for how to design a user interface. They force you to use the most unintuitive POS website to modify and update your remote. #2. Slow response time when using my DVR. When I use the stand IR remote I get instant feedback. There is at least a 1s delay after every button I press using the Logitech remote. (*Note, I'm pretty sure I can modify this setting.) #3. As mentioned above, I cannot control my Bose system without spending an additional $1-200 to get a converter. Please WHY CAN'T the Logitech remote do this conversion, isn't that the job of a "Universal" remote. #4. I don't like being stuck with the default activities, and have to use things like "Play VCR" to activate my CPU/media center. It is such a simple fix too.
100% of People (9/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/28/2006 |
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Strengths: Works flawlessly once you figure out the steps necessary to configure it.
Weaknesses: Maybe the buttons are a little small but the ergonomically designed unit makes it easy to overcome that.
Summary: I purchased this remote as a replacement for my old Sony RM-AV2000 and it's a night and day difference in every aspect. Yes....would purchase one again in a heartbeat.
100% of People (5/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/08/2006 |
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Strengths: Great range. Easy setup on website. RF/IR receiver/converter works awesome.
Weaknesses: I have 2 sony DVD Players hooked up. The remote is sending the same on/off commands to both dvd players at the same time.
Summary: Very easy to set up and work with. The IR blaster works great. I was surprised how many remote commands convert over to this remote. The lighting on the remote is great for watching tv at night.
100% of People (4/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/02/2006 |
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Harmony 890 --- Good and bad
Strengths: Able to leap small walls in a single bound (which allowed me to hide ALL of my equipment in a closet near the Living Room)
Weaknesses: Somewhat difficult to get everything working in.....harmony. VERY annoying that you have to plug in the extender to USB every time you make a change to the setup. (My extender is in a closet)
Summary: This is probably the best remote out there for this price point. It's not without it's flaws, but it is worth the purchase. Just be aware that if you have a complex setup like I do that you will have to actually do some reading and a little trial and error.
100% of People (2/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/02/2007 |
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Harmony 890- Good and REALLY Bad
Strengths: Remote itself is great. Ergonomic and the auto back light feature is nice. Works my system from the other side of my house
Weaknesses: As stated in other reviews - the software interface is simply awful. It's hard to believe that they haven't made this better yet.
Summary: Logitech needs to overhaul the software interface - both the web based software and the supplied sw is terrible. It does not allow one to easily reconfigure the soft keys. Additionally, the soft keys must be "grouped" by device - one just can't mix and match commands. Furthermore, the time to update the device is slow - and the fact that the RF Extender needs to be connected each time (and unplugged) and updated is cumbersome and makes it worse. For something with so much promise, the software just brings it down. Finally, I have gotten "logged out" in the middle of configuring the device which caused me to lose my settings. HW gets 5 stars - sw one at best.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/18/2006 |
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Strengths: Control devices as stated
Weaknesses: Too hard to figure the exact way the item is connected ex. Video 1, iNput 1 etc
Summary: The price of the product is way too high for how the product is configured for use. Could be easier to configure. More configuration is needed at beginning instaed of asking to add more items.
100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/29/2006 |
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Great Remote - Horrible computer interface
Strengths: sleek design (not like the bulky Pronto line), intuitive button layout, long battery life with charger included.
Weaknesses: horrible software interface
Summary: This is my first Harmony remote. I was considering the Pronto but selected the Logitech mostly because I was very familiar with their computer products. I have nothing but good things to say about the remote itself, and nothing but bad about the interface program.
The remote is very sleek and modern, it will make a nice addition to anybody's coffee table (especially since it will dispose of all other remotes (I personally replaced 4 remotes). All activities of the hard buttons are very intuitive for all functions. I have had it for 4 days, and already find it easy to navigate the functions. The tilt sensor works fine, and after 4 days of being a couch potato the battery is still above half.
Now for the software: If you're one of those people who will open a computer out of the box and never “customize” the settings, you will probably get along with this program just fine. The initial setup has a relatively thorough question-answer process that will get your remote ready to operate all your equipment. Of course that operation, even for the most basic options, may take you scrolling through several screens to get to your button.
If you would like to make even the most basic customization, you will find this program very very (very) frustrating. It took me 7 hrs the first day to get a set up I could live with, and another 3 hrs the next day to fine tune it. I have a few other minor issues that I will be correcting after a few more days. It only took me the first 30min to see how the software was set up, and the other 9.5 hrs to get through the very redundant, very tedious, very cumbersome, very slow setup, all along the way hoping it did not lock up again. Other specific problems with the software:
1. Scroll wheel on mouse doesn't work in their program. (Come on Logitech, scroll wheels have been around for over 10 years. You are known for your input devices, including mice. I have 4 wireless keyboards and 6 wireless mice in my household, and have even recommended them to friends. Now one of your programs doesn't have scroll wheel functionality. -- YOU REALLY BLEW IT ON THIS ONE.)
2. The program is internet based and very slow over broadband. . . If you have dial-up, you'd probably have more fun gouging your eyes with a butter knife than using this program.
3. It installs itself in the start-up folder of WinXP, and slows your computer down even when you are not using the remote interface.
4. It often locks up, and forgets your options.
5. It puts the soft-buttons on the LCD in absolutely no obvious order. My TV PIP open button was on the first slide, and the other PIP buttons were on slide 3.
6. It adds soft buttons for many of the commands that are covered by the hard buttons.
7. Although it is rare to need to learn a command, that process is very cumbersome. The command you learn goes to the internet first, then gets sent back to your remote – this is confusing to me.
8. There is no way to make hard buttons still control options on one device when you select another device. For example, if I go to the TV Device, I can't use the Guide button on my Satellite TV, even though those buttons don't do anything for the TV.
9. There is no activity to "turn all your equipment off" for the end of your evening.
10. Updates to items that don’t affect your RF extender still require update to the RF extender as well as the remote.
11. I could go on, but I'll stop here (I think I got all the major problems in here). Bottom line, the software is HORRIBLE, and nothing like what I would expect from Logitech.
So overall, Remote earns a 4.5 stars, and the software earns 0 stars (I'd like to give it a negative score), for an average score of 3 stars.
95% of People (19/20) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 11/09/2006 |
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 Poor Support and Lockups Strengths: Ease of use
Weaknesses: Frequent Lockups and poor support
Summary: I love the unit...when its working...software problems in the beginning and was transferred to "upper level" support who told me I should replace my new Dell XPS 600...I eventually fixed the problem...then frequent lockups...emailed tech support...responded in 24 hours with a test which I performed immediately and emailed back the results...two days later and no response...called customer support who stated that they were sending out new unit in two days...four days later got an email that Logitech was processing the order and that the new unit would be delivered in 5-7 business days...All my equipment is in a remote location so I must go to other room to change channels, volume input etc. Logitech doesn't seem to care...I'm presently on the phone waiting for tech support and have been holding for 20 minutes thus far...Good luck if you buy this one....
88% of People (7/8) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/03/2006 |
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Strengths: Nice Readable Screen, Easy intitial set-up, Controls virtually anything with IR frequency
Weaknesses: Price
Summary: I've used this remote for about a month now and I absolutely love it! The set-up did not give me any trouble which took about 15 to 20 minutes. I didn't add too many components; just my TV, cable box, DVD/VCR combo, A/V system, and PS2. Everything I needed to control was programmed in the remote. The battery hasn't run out on me, since I always keep it charged in the cradle it comes with . All in all, a top notch remote.
63% of People (5/8) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/18/2006 |
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Strengths: Very easy to use.
Weaknesses: Buttons are a little small.
Summary: The whole family really likes this remote. It is so easy to use.
The buttons are a little small but it is fine once you use it a couple of times.
I would recommend this product.
50% of People (3/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/20/2006 |
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Strengths: Customizing Features
Weaknesses: Would like to see a stronger battery.
Summary: I was looking for a replacement remote for our old Pronto that was now some 3 years old and something that could hook up to USB instead of a Serial port like the Pronto. I probably should have gone with a newer Pronto, not that this remote is bad, it just isn't as flexible as the Pronto and from the pictures I was expecting a bit more out of the display screen than what it delivered. My wife complains that she points it at the TV, etc. and sometimes things turn on and sometimes they don't. The onboard help is nice but you shouldn't have to use it every time you use the remote because one unit or another didn't switch on and you have to resend the code. I'm assuming the remote just resends the code as opposed to changing the internal delay involved with that code to make it better the next time.
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/07/2007 |
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Harmony 890 or 1000 for ONE room
Strengths: Price. IR ability. Ease to setup for basic use.
Weaknesses: Many remotes have to be manually learned, due to wrong functionality. WILL NOT WORK FOR MULTIPLE ROOMS.
Summary: You get what you pay for. This is not the all in one remote. If you have only one system to learn, this is a great remote. I tried to have it learn settings for my living room, media room, and bedroom. Don't waste your time. This is or the Harmony 1000 (which I have as well) will not do this properly. I now have 3 remotes for the 3 rooms. Retrospectively, I would have found ONE remote that could have handled the job (multi-functions) regardless of what room it was in.
When programming the IR repeater, use a laptop. The software will want you to unplug the IR blaster EVERY time you make a change and it does not have a power disconnect. So if your components and wiring are tucked away as they should be, you'll have to undo everything each time you try to "learn" a new function that is not in their database properly (it happens a lot).
In summary, this would have been great for a one room job and if you do not use too many functions (multi zones, XM or Sirius radio, etc...). For all the time spent to do all of the above, it's better spent on buying a remote that can do the job.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/15/2006 |
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Strengths: Very user friendly! Very easy to use once you set it up!
Weaknesses: Buttons are small.
Summary: I bought this to replace my old Harmony 680. I have no doubt that this one is much better than my old one! No regret in spending $200+ for this great product!
40% of People (2/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/04/2007 |
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Strengths: Excellent interroperability with all of my remote devices. The radio to wireless relay works very well.
Weaknesses: None to speak o, however the internal clock has lost about two minutes over the 25 days that I have had the device.
Summary: This is one of the best electronics products I have ever purchased. The GUI setup from my laptop was very easy. The help function on the remote works very well also.
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