Customer Reviews:
 Horrible design, buttons hard to use November 2, 2008
I have the harmony 659 which is great. The buttons are well placed and the remote was easy to use. The only issue is that using IR it was too easy to get my components out of whack if I didn't push an activities button and leave it pointed toward my entertainment center for a good 3 to 4 seconds while it was blasting it's IR commands.
I wanted the 890 remote because of the RF extender so I wouldn't have to worry about things getting out of sync. This remote is an ergonomic disaster! All the buttons are pretty much flush and it's easy to fat finger buttons. Some of the buttons are so small I feel like I need a stylus to use them. If they would have kept with the raised buttons this would have been a much better product. You can only cram so many buttons in a space before something becomes unusable.
I also don't understand why you need 2 IR transmitters per cable, since I just ended up tying back the one I didn't use. (There are 4 ports on the extender, but each cable is split at the end with 2 IR transmitters) It makes the extender setup messy. I suppose in a closed cabinet it wouldn't matter but my entertainment center is open and there's just no way to make it look neat.
All in all it's a let down for the price. LogiTech usually makes killer products with well thought out designs. They missed the mark on this one though...
 Harmony 890 remote November 1, 2008
This product does as advertised. The fast forward, reverse, play , etc. buttons could be larger though.The glowing backlight works well. Battery life is good, requiring recharge only after 3-4 days.
Very good all in one remote control October 27, 2008
I recently purchased this remote due to a remodel which will put most controlled equipment behind a solid wood door. Needed a remote with RF capability to control my satellite box/DVR, DVD recorder, audio receiver, VCR and TV. You set this remote up on your computer (PC or Mac) by installing an application and adding your devices.
You can then further customize each device and set up lists of activities like watch TV that will control multiple devices. There are 8 "soft" programmable buttons for further customization. You have virtually unlimited numbers of soft buttons displayed 8 at a time via page views on the color LCD.
Once done setting up the application/adding your devices you connect the remote and RF extender via an included USB cable. The set up and any subsequent updates are then uploaded to the remote and it is ready to use.
It took me about 2 weeks of setting up and customizing devices and activities as well as adding other remote devices (a fan, my laptop) and changing the order of how things were activated. Unless you are a techie like me you may need some help getting the remote dialed in but once done it works great.
There is a learning curve associated with using the remote but once that is done it should work flawlessly. It also comes with a charging dock so you won't have to worry about changing batteries.
While not perfect it is pretty close; about 85-90%.
 An excellent buy with just a few minor flaws October 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the second Harmony remote I've purchased, and have now owned for a few months. The purchase was actually for my in-laws, whose setup included a wall mounted Samsung LN-46A650, Motorola HD Cable Receiver, and DVD player. The latter two are located in a media cabinet behind the viewing position. So, the options were to leave the cabinet open and use three remotes (pointing two backward), have a professional install a infrared relay next to the tv that would send signals back to the cabinet (still using 3 remotes), or get a radio frequency capable remote and adapter. The first was impractical, and the second very expensive ($$$-$$$$), so I researched my options for the third.
There are several remote vendors that have comparable products to Logitech in terms of features and functionality. My ideal remote would've come from Universal Remotes, but their prices were 2 to 3 times that of the Logitechs.
Having said all that, let's get to the facts:
Pros:
- This unit COMES WITH the radio frequency adapter with enough extender cables for 8 components, and I have had NO trouble with the two devices I've set for RF control (12 feet behind viewer, through a closet door)
- Set up is very intuitive as long as you know the models of your equipment, the inputs of your setup, and how you want the remote to control things. I had their setup up and running (but not fine tuned) within 15 minutes. I am confident in my computer and electronics skills, however I'm convinced someone with the interest but not great technological savvy could master Logitech's setup program in one or two sessions of use.
- Activities are easily set up and edited with the software (I'm running Windows XP Pro), to the point where you can customize each button's action if you wish. Only having to push one button to turn on all the necessary components, switch inputs, and switch button functionality on the remote was key for my relatively technologically impaired in-laws.
- You can specify how to control each device (either infrared or RF from the extender)
- The color LCD screen is very clear and bright compared to my other model (Harmony 550).
- When the remote senses movement after a period of inactivity (i.e. you pick it up to change channels), the back lights turn on illuminating both the LCD and buttons.
- Lithium ion battery means never having to swap batteries
- You can specify favorite channels and upload a network icon to be displayed next to the appropriate button (however the icon can only be a certain size which was a bit challenging to produce)
- On and on and on
Cons:
- The buttons are not very well laid out, some very small in size, and labels are almost too little. This is where the Universal Remote model excelled. Layout was great and labels easily legible. However, the UR model didn't include the RF receiver and was twice the price. But once your hand develops the muscle memory for where buttons are, it's not a big issue.
- You have to update the RF extender every time you update the remote settings, even if all you're doing in changing button assignments or renaming an activity
Review:
All in all it's a great remote. It's drawbacks weren't enough for me to drop a star. If you need the radio frequency functionality, this is the most inexpensive and user friendly answer. I hope you found this review helpful, if you actually read it all.
Worth every penny!! Love this remote. October 22, 2008
I have owned this remote for over 9 months now, and I have never had any problems with it. I have components from several manufacturers (Denon, Comcast DVR, Panasonic, etc) and I can easily control each from the one remote.
I have my equipment set up in another room and have not had any problems with reception at the components. I can even use it outside to control my music for my outdoor speakers (distance about 40 feet).
Macros were easy to set up on the remote with the user guide, so I was able to switch inputs (HDMI to serial when needed) with the press of a button. You select what gets turned on, what gets turned off, etc. Custom buttons can be set up on the remote, which was slightly more challenging, and it can "learn" from your existing remotes when needed (very few were not pre-set).
If you need a radio frequency remote, I cannot recommend this enough. If you don't, I would still recommend a Logitech remote, just don't pay the extra money for this remote to get the radio frequency ability.
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