Logitech Harmony 670 Universal Remote
by Logitech
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Our Price: $159.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $50.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 670 Universal Remote
Customer Review: The best purchase I have ever made
Summary: 5 Stars
I searched Amazon and about a dozen other sites for weeks, reading reviews, comparing features, looking for sales, and even though I found this off Amazon for a special deal several weeks back, I love Amazon and wanted to share my experience with other potential buyers since this is where I come for product info and reviews.
I chose this model over the higher end Logitech models because this has slightly larger buttons, even though it isn't as fancy (it's also less expensive). After a few searches, I realized that the Logitech Harmony brand was the only remote really worth looking at for ease of use, both the remote itself and the software used to set it up.
I liked the design of this remote as the layout of the buttons most closely resembles my TiVo remote. My biggest concern was whether my wife could use the remote. We have an older TV, newer odd-model Onkyo AV receiver, TiVo, cable box, DVD player, VCR, and an old Technics Tape deck and CD player. I needed something that could be used for everything easily. This purchase was much more for my wife than for me. If you could read her review of the remote from the standpoint of someone who fears new technology and hates having to use complex remote controls, you would buy this remote instantly.
I am what you would call a Power User, where I like to customize everything in extreme detail and this remote lets me do this. It also is very easy to use once it is configured. One of my devices was not found in the Logitech database, but I pointed the old remote at the back of the Harmony and it figured out what it needed to do. Now, instead of using two remotes for most things and three or four if we want to do something other than watch basic TV or TiVo, this remote does everything with minimal button clicks.
I've read a couple of complaints that people feel the software is too confusing or takes too long to set up - it's not for complete novices or people who want something to work out of the box with no setup, but I challenge you to find a remote that will work as well as this one without some configuration. Some slightly less than obvious features need to be brought closer to the main configuration screens, such as leaving my TiVo and cable box on when I turn everything else off, but all in all, this remote is really fantastic. Mac users - the software works beautifully in Mac OS X, but I expected no less from Logitech. Using the software makes it obvious that adding or removing a device and/or activities (such as "Watch TV" or "Play VCR" or "Watch DVD") should be easy, and if I need a replacement remote, I can simply plug the remote into the computer and click one or two buttons and be off with a fully customized remote again in two or three minutes. My guess is that the remote stays configured when the batteries die, but even if it doesn't, you can simply plug it in with the new batteries and the software will reconfigure it.
I also heard a few people complain about battery life. I have had it working for about six weeks straight and it is still going strong. Even if the batteries don't last forever, how much do 4 AA batteries really cost when compared to the convenience of this remote? It is an excellent trade-off in my mind.
Now that it is set up, it is so easy to use, it's not even funny. You point the remote at your stuff, press a button and leave it pointed until the indicator light on the remote says it's done turning everything on or off (1-3 seconds). My in-laws and a couple of friends have seen it in action and now want the same model for themselves. My biggest complaint with this remote from the entire experience of taking it out of the box to using it every day for over a month now is that it takes some getting used to when you are so used to using other remotes, especially TiVo. The placement of the rewind, forward, pause and play buttons is a bit different than I am used to with the TiVo remote, but the other day, I went to my in-laws house to fix their TiVo and it took me a few minutes to get used to the TiVo remote which I used to think was the best remote ever. So if that is my biggest complaint, I have to think I made the right choice.
The remote has a built in Help screen which is really easy to use. My wife accidentally pointed the remote away from the screen too quickly the other day and it only turned on the TV and not the Receiver. So I told her to hit the Help button and within about twenty seconds, she had figured out (on her own) what to do, and now she doesn't need my help if the same thing happens again.
I highly recommend this remote if you are a DVR user with a lot of system components with the need for an easy to learn, easy to use remote, but be prepared to spend a good 30-45 minutes setting it up for the first time, and even longer if you are a power user like me or if you have a lot of system components. Being this was my first universal remote, based on what I have heard from friends and family who have had others in the past, this experience has been vastly superior to theirs.
Seriously, this is the best purchasing decision I have ever made, and I could not recommend a product any more highly than this.
Customer Review: One of the Coolest, most Useful Gadgets I Own
Summary: 5 Stars
Will this remote REALLY work with everything? That's the first question I asked myself when deciding whether to buy the Harmony 670. To me, $70 is a lot of money for a remote control. For me to spend $70 on a remote, it had better work perfectly. I understand that there are many more expensive remotes available, but still, the 670 is just a remote, right? Well it is just a remote, but it is a fantastic gadget that will replace all of your other remotes and make your entertainment experience much more enjoyable. To me, it was worth every penny.
I suspect that many people have had the same experience: you get a new piece of equipment that comes with a "universal remote," and though it claims to be universal, the new remote doesn't quite control everything. Of course, it will turn on your receiver, cable box, tv, etc, but it won't provide all of the functionality that the component's original remote provides. And so the remotes on the coffee table multiply until there is little room for a single coffee cup on an entire coffee table. Well, where other universals fail, the Harmony 670 succeeds. Currently, mine controls my receiver, CD player, DVD player, cable box, VCR, LCD TV, and yes, even my air conditioner. That means I replaced 7 remotes with the 670, and I haven't had to take out any of the 7 since I bought it. Every single function of every component can be controlled with the Harmony 670. Harmony indeed.
The 670 does take a little time to set up (circa 20 minutes), but once it's setup it works flawlessly. Hook it up to your computer ONCE through the USB, tell the setup program the required information (model numbers of your equipment and a few other tidbits), and you are good to go. If you go into the advanced setup menus, you can add additional equipment (e.g. an air conditioner). If the model of the equipment isn't listed (very rare), you can still teach the Harmony to work with a few simple clicks.
Once it's setup, tell the remote what you want to do. For example, if you want to watch TV, press "Watch TV." The remote turns on my cable box, TV, and stereo receives, and then it sets my TV and receiver to the proper inputs. Tired of watching TV, press "Watch Movie" and the remote turns off the cable box, turns on the DVD player, and switches my receiver and TV to the "DVD" inputs. Tired of watching everything? Press the "Off" button and the remote will turn off everything at once. Fantastic!
I have read some of the few negative reviews for this remote, and I have to say that I'm confused; I experienced NONE of the problems the lowest reviewers experienced. For example, one guy says that the USB port broke after a few weeks of hooking it up regularly. Well, there's no need to hook it up regularly. You just have to hook it up to the computer ONCE. Any of the other problems seem to be linked to the consumer's own computer or improper programming of the 670. I have not called customer support because setup was a breeze. The one negative thing that I can say about the 670 is that the "Help" button on the remote doesn't seem very helpful. Of course, I didn't need much help, so that's not enough of a downside to drop my rating from 5 to 4
So, I go along with the vast majority of the good reviews. The 670 is a must-have for anyone with a component A/V system or anyone with just a cable box, tv, and DVD player. It provides enough advanced features for advanced users, and is still friendly enough for parents who don't quite know how to turn on their DVD player and TV, while setting the TV to the correct input. Really, it's just a wonderful piece of technology. Unfortunately, it does not have a "Brew Coffee," "Make Popcorn," or "Pour Beer" button, but perhaps that will be on Logitech's next generation remotes. Happy Watching and Listening.
Customer Review: This Remote Has Changed My Life
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this remote to replace six remotes, including two DVD players, an AV Theater Receiver, and a Dish Network receiver/DVR. I've had mixed experiences with a few universal remotes over the years, but I can't say enough about the Harmony 670.
I bought this remote over some others because of the button layout. I prefer the distributed, knobby buttons of the 670, as opposed to the flat, adjacent buttons of other harmony's. Eventually, I'll be able to know all the buttons by touch -- more useful in a dark room than a light. The buttons around the center ring are not the same as my DVR remote layout, but they still make sense. Face it: you're going to have to learn a new remote if you're upgrading.
The computer software interface is pretty good, but it could be better. Still, it's worlds better than punching in endless trial-and-error sequences on the remote to program it. The software programmed my remote for all devices without a hitch.
If you have not owned a high-end universal remote, you need to be prepared to change your way of thinking with this one. I knew it performed macros (or "activities" as Logitech calls them) when I bought it, but I didn't really think I'd use them. I was wrong. With an Activity, you press a button and it can perform several activities all at once, like turning on the TV, DVD and Stereo, changing inputs, etc. My old remote did this, but it was a pain so I stopped. With the 670, it's a dream. This is mostly because it remembers "state" -- the status of all your components. For example, if you're watching TV and decide you want to watch a DVD, when you press the "Watch Movie" button, the remote remembers that your TV was already on, but changes the input for watching a DVD, then turns on the DVD and any other component you need, like your AV unit. When you're done, you press "OFF", and it toggles the power for ONLY the components it knows were on. Because this of this, you will find no hard ON or POWER button on the remote -- only OFF. The Activity buttons take care of the ON part. (This is not to say you can't turn the unit on separately. With all my units, POWER is an additional function in the little screen area. I've used the software to move that to the top of the screen if I ever need it -- but I haven't yet!).
If something doesn't happen right with an activity (something doesn't turn on or off, for example), press the HELP button. This ingenious function asks you yes/no questions until IT fixes the problem. My wife couldn't be more confused about what needs to occur in order to, say, watch a DVD, but she can now fix any problem that arises just by answering the questions.
Pros:
- good button layout
- good backlight
- Activities (macros)
- help button
- computer programming
- phone tech (free for first 60 days - USE IT!)
Cons (pretty minor):
- The buttons are small. Might be a problem for someone with big fingers.
- Screen has a "next" button, but no "previous". Doh!
- The computer software could be better, such as in reordering functions for the screen. It's a slow process.
- No hard DVR button to access your recordings. I programmed mine as the first screen button. Kind of an unbelievable omission.
Overall, a terrific remote. Some little problems, but dwarfed by the positives!
Customer Review: I Like It.
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I bought the refurbished version which is about $50 cheaper than new. I'd still like it if I had paid retail but for the price I paid its an absolute steal. The refurb looked new to me and has worked flawlessly. Even if I had to buy a new one every year, it would be worth it.
Basic programing is easy although the instructions could be better. When doing the initial programming, this is one of those pieces of electronics you just have to trust the system and keep clicking through the menus. You won't really know what is going on or where you are going but if you just clear your mind and click away all will be well. You select the pieces in your system, answer a couple basic questions then upload to the remote. (I have a receiver that I have never been able to find a code for on any of the cheapo universal remotes I've had over the years. The Harmony had it.) Once you tell it what equiptment you have, you just hit a button labled "Watch TV" and if fires up everything, gets the right settings and you're watching TV. Then hit "watch a movie" and it fires up the DVD player, changes whatever input setting need to be changed etc. You can add your own custom one touch buttons. For example, I made one to set up the receiver so I can play my iPod and another to listen to the radio. The sky is the limit.
The basic first time through set up will be fine for most people but this thing allows for alot of customization. I have tweaked my remote about a dozen times. This is not a bad thing but a sign of the remote's strength and flexibility. (The intial set up takes some time but subsequent tweaking is 2 - 3 minute process so there is not reason to avoid it). If I run into something I want to do or I want a button in a better spot (eg accessing my DVR - it was there but not where I wanted it), I just add it, move a button etc. It helps a bit if you have a laptop so you can do this on the couch while watching TV as it makes trial and error simpler but even if you have to run back and forth to your desktop, if you take some time, you can make this thing do exactly what you want it to.
Its not perfect. I find the rounded shape of the buttons to be a little hard to keep my fingers on. The labels on the buttons are small and hard to read (for my old eyes) but after two months I've learned the layout. Every once and a while one of my electronics will miss the power signal. (But, by customizing the remote, I was able to place the power buttons in an easy spot so recovery is simple).
The best endorsement is that my wife and kids have not had to ask me to help with the TV even one time since we got it. That's about as ringing an endorsement as any remote is going to get!
Customer Review: Amazing universal rermote!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm very happy with my Harmony 670! I have a DVR, so the grouping of buttons specific to DVR users was important to me. What's even better is that I finally have a TRUE universal remote, and the very first one I haven't had to return out of exasperation.
You can't go wrong with the Harmony line. Their customer service can't be beat, their products are amazing, and if you buy yours from Hi Def Lifestyle on Amazon Marketplace, you'll be paying way below retail! The 670 lists for $149, and that's essentially what it sells for unless you're lucky and find a sale price of around $135. But I got mine for $78 from Hi Def Lifestyle's shop in Amazon Marketplace, and the item arrived quickly, and brand new in a sealed package without a single problem to its name. I can't help but highly recommend both the Harmony 670 AND Hi Def Lifestyle!
All you need to do is enter the model #'s of the various electronics you'll be controlling (including such items as room fans and air conditioners), as well as which inputs they use for various functions (such as which input your TV uses to see the DVD player on, or which input shows you satellite tv), and before you know it, you'll be pusing one button for functions that used to take several remotes and a boatload of button pushing! I never dreamed that I'd consider paying more than $20 for a remote until I found out what the Harmony remotes can do, and how much grief they save you! For awhile, I kept all my old remotes out, fully expecting to need one or more of them to be able to watch tv or a DVD, but not once have I needed to pick up an old remote to get one of my electronics turned on. But now I've put away all my remotes and don't care to ever see them again. I won't even need them if the Harmony loses its programming! All I need to do is plug in the USB cable and voila! It's programmed properly again.
I had one small itemm of confusion when I first got my Harmony, and I called customer service, and I had mentioned something that I wanted to fix later, but didn't have time to fix with her right then. When I returned home later and plugged in my remote, the first thing I noticed was that the customer service rep had done it for me! What a sweetie! I wish I'd gotten her name!
I honestly do not believe you can go wrong with the Harmony line!