If there was one gadget that I’d argue is the cornerstone of my home theatre setup, it’s not my 50-inch plasma or my AV receiver. It’s my Logitech Harmony Universal remote control. But after a week away, I came back to discover something horrific – my Harmony has disappeared!
As the parent of an 18 month old boy, I have my suspicions of what actually happened to the remote – little fingers have taken it and either hidden it in a bin that has since been thrown out, or placed into some other hidey hole we’re unable to discover.
So for the past two weeks, we’ve been reduced to navigating our television watching using not one, not two, but three separate remote controls. And while we’ve been optimistic that the little man of the house would recover theremote from his mysterious hiding place and save the day, with each passing night spent juggling remotes, our hopes are beginning to disappear.
Which brings me to the crux of the issue – what universal remote is the best option for replacing our old unit? I have my thoughts as to what I want, but I thought I’d open it up and see what Giz readers would suggest. Let us know in comments.
Martin
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:23 PMstill get the same remote. when I last looked around the harmony was too good for the features and price. on the plus side, if you used the software to setup the remote if you get the same you will be able to use the same configuration on the new remote.
StevoTheDevo
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:45 PM+1 to that..
another Harmony should be able to sync with the computer you set up the original with and be ready to go in 90 seconds after opening the box!
Any Harmony ought to do, provided it supports enough devices.
I have a cheapie 525 which does the job, but it chews through the batteries (Eneloops)… I recharge them at least monthly.
I got my parents the 685 which has a proprietary style Lithium rechargeable and cradle.. I reckon that’s a great option!
Uncle Bob
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:28 PMAnother Harmony, then all you have to do is download your old/current settings and you are good to go as though nothing had happened.
2 Weeks, how have you survived, next day I would have replaced mine.
Jamie Krisanski
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:34 PMStick with Harmony. I have the Harmony One and it’s been flawless.
My son has been able to use it to turn on all devices (HTPC, TV, AV receiver), navigate to his movies and play them since he was 2. It’s also only one more button press to play the wii. My wife has even figured it out too!
What more can I say?!
Shannon
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:41 PMStick with a Harmony. I’ve had a Harmony for almost 5 years but it recently died and I’m also looking for a new version but can’t justify (at the moment) $400 for the one I REALLY want. Can’t find a decent one on eBay either…guess I better pull out my credit card.
StevoTheDevo
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:46 PMWait for the next LogitechShop.com.au sale… They regularly have cheap Harmonys
Rod
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:42 PMBeen very happy with my Harmony One – a bit tricky to set up (my TV has some odd settings, it seems) but it’s now an essential part of my living room.
Sean
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:44 PMI had a Logitech for a while that once I set it up properly was fantastic. I used it in the lounge room and then at bed time, moved it to there for the night.
Then one day I could hear a hidding noise and eventually found that it was coming from the remote. Thinking straight away it was the batteries, I removed them and disposed of them. Placed a new set in there and away we went… the next morning, it was DOA :( Dunno what happened in the end. Havent done anything about replacing it since – just run on several remotes – TV, Stereo and PS3 remotes…
Dave
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:45 PM+1 for the Logitech. I have had 2 Harmony remotes. First gave out after a few years, which was fine as the upgraded version was worth it. A bit of trial and error to setup right but once it is set, you wouldn’t go back. I would buy one for all my friends if I could get away with not being asked to set it up.
Sam
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:46 PMBig fan of Harmony remotes – even the bottom of the range ones are pretty good.
Like all Logitech products, the software is crap, but will let you get the job done – and the good thing is once you’ve got everything set up, you can uninstall the software and forget about it.
Owen
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:47 PMStick with harmony!
http://www.logitechshop.com.au/products/remotes
Not on massive sale at the moment, but it’ll happen again soon enough.
Troy MacDonald
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:53 PMIve had the Harmony 360 since the before the Xbox 360 came out. Its got green lights with a white/silver casing and looks great. Been the centre of my setup since day 1, got an IR receiver for my PC just to make life easier. Had a few issues with it, it seems the play and pause buttons have to be held for a seconds to work (dunno if its the button or the software). I love it and if it dies, i’d be buying the colour screen model. Not a fan of the big square thing, though I admit i’ve never used it
Richard
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:00 PMHarmony 900. the Harmony one deosnt have the very useful red, blue yello and green smart buttons
Bernhard de Kok
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:04 PMQuite simply the Philips Pronto.
http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.html
Makes the harmony look like a beginners toy
Bernhard de Kok
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 3:34 PMFor most requirements, the Harmony is the better value though.
johnd
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 5:38 PMHad a Pronto. Too many software issues. Moved to Harmony Ones (yes, I have multiples). A much better product.
Also, Philips have killed off their Pronto division, so you would be buying an end-of-life product.
http://www.pronto.philips.com/News_and_Events/News/20101029_ProntoAnnouncement
Blake
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:17 PMAre there any harmony remotes that are blue tooth compatible?
More specifically ps3 compatible?
Daniel
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 5:04 PMhttp://www.logitech.com/en-au/remotes/accessories/devices/5732
Harmony PS3 Adapter has you covered
Daniel Weaver-Koenigs
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 10:50 PMThe bluetooth adapter is a massive rip off for the cost.
You can buy either the blu-link universal bluetooth / IR remote or snakebyte for less than just the logitech adapter.
Matt
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:21 PMGo with the Harmony One when the logitech shop has their next sale. Got it including the PS3 attachment for $165 with free shipping. Did have an older 585? from a few years back but never quite worked properly but have now had mine for a couple of week and couldn’tbe happier! And yeah as everyone else has said, you can just transfer all the activities/settings to the new remote so no fiddling around entering all the same devices again!
Peter Ryan
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:24 PMReplace the kid.
Aaron West
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 3:11 PM+1
Alex Wu
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:46 PMThis one is simple, Harmony although rather than the One I would choose the 900 but that’s just me since I value the RF capability and PS3 adapter.
Logitech shop is you best bet, I got my 900 two days ago at 55% off retail!
TG
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 4:29 PMDefinitely another Harmony. I’m currently using the 650 which although basic, does everything I need (until I buy that as yet unwanted 6th device…)
Jarrod
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 9:50 PMI am a current Harmony 1000i owner and love to read about and improve my gadgets. I have a dedicated home theatre and along with the 1000i have a logitech dinovo mini and and rf wireless keyboard (with trackpad). For me, a home theatre enthusiast, when is the all-in-one remote to control my av equipment AND mouse/keyboard control of my HTPC going to arrive? Enter the tablets (ios/android). Again (for me), I see myself using a tablet with an IR repeater to control all of my equipment (this is before the AV equipment makers wake up and build their hardware to be fully controlled via wifi), hopefully in the short term the IR repeaters become more responsive and the above mentioned AV manufacturers catch up with what we the consumers want and need.
Big Windows
Friday, March 11, 2011 at 10:11 AMWhen are Logitech going to update the DiNovo mini. Cracking little beast but I feel it needs a refresh?
Adam Robson
Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:45 PMI would recommend the Harmony One very good comfortable design fits well in the hand and response to devices is excellent