Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
by Logitech
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Our Price: $399.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $159.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Best Remote but use with a Gentle Touch
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't bore you with another review, just read all the others b/c this thing is great as all the other reviewers mention. Just want to share my "real world" experience with fellow Amazonians. This is my second 890, which was a replacement (under warranty) for an earlier failed unit. I kept the old one and have been using the replacement for over 3 years now.
It worked fine until a few weeks ago when the LCD screen stopped displaying. I knew it was just the LCD screen since I could press the buttons I had memorized and it would still control all my components. In defense of Logitech, I'm actually surprised it went beyond 2 years since this thing had taken abuse from the kids and had frequently been dropped on the floor.
Through some online forums, I learned that you can open the thing up and remove the LCD screen. Fortunately, I kept the old unit and decided to try swapping screens. I'm no electronics geek but decided to give it a try since I had nothing to lose. Pretty easy procedure. Removed the 2 screws on the outside and 2 on the inside, separated the main circuit board from the screen, removed the old screen, and put in the new one. It worked! I now have an almost new remote that will hopefully give me another couple of years. Next problem and I'll definitely be upgrading to the 900! If you can locate a cheap unit on-line for under 25 bucks it might be worth a shot!!
For all those people who complain it stopped working most likely dropped it and just won't admit it. Let's face it people, none of today's electronic products from a cell phone to a GPS unit to a remote are made to last forever. All have to be handled with care. If you don't break it the software will eventually be phased out and you'll need a new one anyway!!
Customer Review: This remote is excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
After realizing that I cannot function efficiently with 7 remotes, I decided I needed a good all in one remote that was fully functional but as cheap as possible. I almost passed this one up because of all the bad reviews and ratings. After looking at all the other remotes out there, I thought that this one was the most aesthetically pleasing, provided full functional support for everything and best priced. I still held off because some of the reviews were awful, but finally I got fed up with switching remotes and just bought it. I could not be happier. The set-up is easy (I am tech savvy, but the set-up was so easy that even if I weren't it would not have been much trouble) and I had no problems connecting it to my MacBook Pro. I heeded the warnings in the reviews and downloaded the most current software from Logitech. I have had no problems and this remote controls my TV, Fan, Roomba, Home theater, HDMI switch box, lights and Xbox. The only gripe I have is that it doesn't control the PS3 (unless you use the PS2 RF/USB receiver that came with the difficult-to-find PS2 DVD remote, then it will work but poorly), which is Sony's fault for making it only bluetooth compatible. This remote comes with an IR extender, which can add functionality for up to 8 other devices. I don't use it, but it's a nice touch for those that do want IR capability. It also will control products behind cabinets and glass via signal relay wires.
If you don't read my verbose review, that's cool. The bottom line is: This remote is easy to set-up with the most current software and provides FULL functional support for all of your products. It currently replaces 7 remotes in my apartment and I am sure it will control more if I need it to in the future. One caveat, it does not work with PS3.
Customer Review: Works great!
Summary: 5 Stars
I received the Harmony 890 a few days ago and after about 1 hour or so spent online, the remote was programmed and operated all my components accurately.
I did not use the software from the CD but rather the Logitech website software since it is the latest version.
The software was easy to use as long as you know how your audio/video system is connected.
The shape of the remote is nice and feels comfortable in the hand. Build quality seems good for plastic.
The only negatives I could find are that the back-lighting could be a little brighter, the remote is a bit slippery, and for this kind of dollars I would have preferred maybe an aluminum housing for durability.
My components are Sony STR-V555ES Receiver
Sony DVP-NS755V DVD Player
Sony KV-32FV26 TV
Mitsubishi HS-U776 VHS
Sirius Starmate ST3
HP m1270n Media Center PC
Logitech Z-5500 (PC) audio system
DirecTV receiver
And more to come!
All of these devices are operated by the remote without any problems. After I read all the reviews (before purchasing) I expected to have some difficulty programming as so many others have stated, but my programming process was flawless and easy. I actually enjoyed it!
Final thought...If you know how your a/v system is hooked up, you can operate your computer, and can follow directions it is a snap and you should just buy it and enjoy!
It is easy to add and remove components also. Just rerun the software and punch in the new device model number and answer some easy questions.
Customer Review: Great remote, even my wife loves it
Summary: 5 Stars
This remote was a breeze to set up. I have a very complex home theater system with both a standard HDTV and a new Sony 110" forward projection unit. The thing I like most about the unit is that it can select discrete inputs on your TV for each application. If I select Blu-Ray, it will automatically switch to HDMI 1 input. If I select a component video piece of hardware, it will change to the applicable input. No more scrolling through inputs. It also works great with mt DirecTV HD Tivo box. All the necessary "specialty" buttons are programmed into the soft keys. The hard keys on the remote also reprograms to suit your application. If I am watching my DirecTV Tivo and press "Record", the Tivo records. If I have my DVD-R selected, and press that same "Record" button, the DVD-R starts recording. The remote is a smart remote that remembers what state everything is in. If I am watching my TV and want to switch to the projector, it powers down only the TV, powers up the Sony projector, which in turn lowers the screen, and sets the correct inputs. All other equipment remains on. At the end of the day, one button powers everything down. Its truely great. Best Buy sell these in the store for $400.00. I have over $20,000.00 invested in my home theater and this $250.00 remote ties it all together. I haven't set it up for RF control of my home lighting yet but plan to also have it control future power shades for room darkening. The bottom line is that I'm a home theater nut. My wife just wants something that worke easily for her. This remote satisfies both of us. My wife loved it on the first day and if Mama's happy, I'm happy.Customer Review: So far I love it
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this about a week now, and I'm loving it. The software is a little clunky, but the remote and the wireless portion are working great. Setting up actions is easier than I thought. I have a complex home theater system, where the receiver has one setting, the TV another, and it's a lot to rememeber with a lot of remotes. No more! Just click on the proper activity and it all gets turned on and set correctly.
The wireless portion came with 4 wire sets, with two IR led's each, so you can control up to 8 devices wirelessly with it. With four sets of wires, I can reach all my equipment with no problems. A lot of it is behind glass doors where regular remotes won't reach, which is why I wanted this, as we kept the glass door open all the time because of it.
The software could use a few updates - the initial setup failed because of my Internet connection, and there was no back buttons until I finished the initial setup. Once that was finished, I was able to use the software to complete the parts that had failed (again the failure was my Internet connection; not their fault). Also I found the software always wants to be talking over the Internet at all times. The other problem is is constantly wants to update both the remote, and the wireless portion. It's kind of a pain to remove the wireless portion every time I do an update to the remote. Besides those two issues, it is easy to understand and setup the activities.
The charger works easily, no problems (unlike others who said they had trouble with the connections). It works awesome, and I recommend it.