Customer Rating: 
Summary: Very nice, functional
Comment: This remote was purchased mostly out of curiosity. It has turned out to be a favorite. Setup was easy - run the software and follow the steps. There are a few settings I would change, but it works just fine after the first setup.
The main thing I like is the strength of the beam. Our Comcast remote has to be aimed very carefully, which is awkward because the cable box is low, behind some furniture. The Harmony only has to be pointed in the general direction, not even with line-of-sight to the cable box.
The Harmony trademark keys do have a nice feel, but the button labels are a little hard to read because of the small type and their rounded, glossy surface. The back light, helpfully activated by a key with different texture, is a big advantage to reading the other key functions.
The HELP function is pretty nice, if only because the Harmony doesn't know if individual equipment is already on or off when it runs the command sequence, and doesn't have separate (discrete) IR commands for on or off.
I had no problems related to the fact that my purchase was refurbished. I could not even tell. I do not know all the reasons remotes get to be refurbished, so buyer beware...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great remote - convinced me to buy 2 more Harmonys
Comment: I have three different Harmony remotes -- I'm a big fan. In fact, I pre-ordered this remote when I read an article about its upcoming release, because I was so excited about the prospect of a universal remote that actually worked. This remote has lived up to its promise.
First, as I indicated above, I'm a big fan of Harmony Remotes. You can program them to do everything that any of your devices' IR remotes can do. In general, the dedicated buttons on the remote are enough to handle the tasks that you do 90% of the time. Less frequently used functions can be configured to appear on the LCD screen, which displays 4 (or 6 - it's configurable) items at a time, and can scroll. For really seldom-used functions, everything that the device's remote can do is accessible in "Device" mode.
I have never had any trouble with the website's programming applets. Some folks hate them, but I'm not one of them. There have been occasions where I have had to try a configuration, and go back to tweak it, because it wasn't working exactly the way I wanted it to. I would rather do this on my computer, using the website's huge database of devices and IR codes, than to try to program it manually, the way I used to have to do with older universal remotes.
I also do not have the problems that some other folks complain about where the device state gets out of sync. I always program my devices using what they call "discrete codes", where there's a different command for "On" and "Off", instead fo a single "Toggle Power" command, and different commands for TV input selection. I never have to try to find the discrete code settings, even if they're not provided by the device's original remote, because Logitech's online device database already has all of the discrete codes for all of my devices stored and ready for me to use.
The Harmony 659, in particular, is a solid performer. The button layout is a little bit odd, in that the transport controls (Play, Stop, Pause, Rewinde, etc.) are all located all the way on the bottom. This can be a little awkward, but ithasn't really caused me too many problems. Also, they are laid out such that I don't have to think about which button is where - the button I'm looking for is always right where I think it ought to be, even though it's a bit of a reach for my thumb. This model does not have all of the buttons that are available in some of the more expensive models (when I was trying to use this for a DVR, I missed the "Skip Fwd" and "Skip Bkwd" buttons), but where I'm using it right now, it has all of the dedicated buttons I need.
Overall, this is a solid remote, at the inexpensive end of the awesome Harmony line. I've recommended Harmony remotes to everyone who's faced remote problems. If your usage patterns require additional buttons that aren't provided on this model, there's almost certainly a model that has those buttons. For the room where we use this remote, it works great.
Customer Rating:
Summary: after 2 years going downhill
Comment: Forget the all in one remotes you have seen before. This one is the real deal. The 659 is on the low end of the Harmony line but it uses the same software to set it up, just less buttons on the remote itself. This means a bit more menu hunting on the LCD if you have a complex home theater. I must say I have loved this remote, up until a couple of months ago the only down side I could find was how quick it would go through batteries (4 AAA) But you could probably extend that if you were willing to turn off the back light option.
Over the past couple of years the remote has withstood a lot of use and abuse (I have a toddler) and recently several buttons have either stopped working altogether or only work intermittently. Luckily there is a work around for most buttons but now I am a bit wary of shelling out this much money again (though I got a deal on my first one.) It has been out several years but the price has never really dropped. I may have to though as I don't know if I can go through the "turn the tv on, switch to input 1, switch remotes, turn the receiver on, switch to dvd input, turn the dvd player on and now use this remote for volume and this one to push play" with my wife and child again. It was just one button on the 659, guess we are spoiled now.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Remote, Great Price.
Comment: The only difference between this and the 670 are the button placement. Big deal! For almost a $100 difference I can deal with the DVD control buttons at the bottom.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great tactile feel remote, just missing DVR keys (A.B.C)
Comment: I love the original "peanut" shape of the remote, versus the newer square design of the 520, 550, 720 etc. It ergonomically fits in your hand much better and easier to maintain grip while accessing the various keys. I also prefer the raised and separated buttons as they are also more ergonomic and easier to access without looking due to the tactile feedback. The only thing is that it is missing the DVR A, B, C keys.
Summary: Very nice, functional
Comment: This remote was purchased mostly out of curiosity. It has turned out to be a favorite. Setup was easy - run the software and follow the steps. There are a few settings I would change, but it works just fine after the first setup.
The main thing I like is the strength of the beam. Our Comcast remote has to be aimed very carefully, which is awkward because the cable box is low, behind some furniture. The Harmony only has to be pointed in the general direction, not even with line-of-sight to the cable box.
The Harmony trademark keys do have a nice feel, but the button labels are a little hard to read because of the small type and their rounded, glossy surface. The back light, helpfully activated by a key with different texture, is a big advantage to reading the other key functions.
The HELP function is pretty nice, if only because the Harmony doesn't know if individual equipment is already on or off when it runs the command sequence, and doesn't have separate (discrete) IR commands for on or off.
I had no problems related to the fact that my purchase was refurbished. I could not even tell. I do not know all the reasons remotes get to be refurbished, so buyer beware...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great remote - convinced me to buy 2 more Harmonys
Comment: I have three different Harmony remotes -- I'm a big fan. In fact, I pre-ordered this remote when I read an article about its upcoming release, because I was so excited about the prospect of a universal remote that actually worked. This remote has lived up to its promise.
First, as I indicated above, I'm a big fan of Harmony Remotes. You can program them to do everything that any of your devices' IR remotes can do. In general, the dedicated buttons on the remote are enough to handle the tasks that you do 90% of the time. Less frequently used functions can be configured to appear on the LCD screen, which displays 4 (or 6 - it's configurable) items at a time, and can scroll. For really seldom-used functions, everything that the device's remote can do is accessible in "Device" mode.
I have never had any trouble with the website's programming applets. Some folks hate them, but I'm not one of them. There have been occasions where I have had to try a configuration, and go back to tweak it, because it wasn't working exactly the way I wanted it to. I would rather do this on my computer, using the website's huge database of devices and IR codes, than to try to program it manually, the way I used to have to do with older universal remotes.
I also do not have the problems that some other folks complain about where the device state gets out of sync. I always program my devices using what they call "discrete codes", where there's a different command for "On" and "Off", instead fo a single "Toggle Power" command, and different commands for TV input selection. I never have to try to find the discrete code settings, even if they're not provided by the device's original remote, because Logitech's online device database already has all of the discrete codes for all of my devices stored and ready for me to use.
The Harmony 659, in particular, is a solid performer. The button layout is a little bit odd, in that the transport controls (Play, Stop, Pause, Rewinde, etc.) are all located all the way on the bottom. This can be a little awkward, but ithasn't really caused me too many problems. Also, they are laid out such that I don't have to think about which button is where - the button I'm looking for is always right where I think it ought to be, even though it's a bit of a reach for my thumb. This model does not have all of the buttons that are available in some of the more expensive models (when I was trying to use this for a DVR, I missed the "Skip Fwd" and "Skip Bkwd" buttons), but where I'm using it right now, it has all of the dedicated buttons I need.
Overall, this is a solid remote, at the inexpensive end of the awesome Harmony line. I've recommended Harmony remotes to everyone who's faced remote problems. If your usage patterns require additional buttons that aren't provided on this model, there's almost certainly a model that has those buttons. For the room where we use this remote, it works great.
Customer Rating:
Summary: after 2 years going downhill
Comment: Forget the all in one remotes you have seen before. This one is the real deal. The 659 is on the low end of the Harmony line but it uses the same software to set it up, just less buttons on the remote itself. This means a bit more menu hunting on the LCD if you have a complex home theater. I must say I have loved this remote, up until a couple of months ago the only down side I could find was how quick it would go through batteries (4 AAA) But you could probably extend that if you were willing to turn off the back light option.
Over the past couple of years the remote has withstood a lot of use and abuse (I have a toddler) and recently several buttons have either stopped working altogether or only work intermittently. Luckily there is a work around for most buttons but now I am a bit wary of shelling out this much money again (though I got a deal on my first one.) It has been out several years but the price has never really dropped. I may have to though as I don't know if I can go through the "turn the tv on, switch to input 1, switch remotes, turn the receiver on, switch to dvd input, turn the dvd player on and now use this remote for volume and this one to push play" with my wife and child again. It was just one button on the 659, guess we are spoiled now.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Remote, Great Price.
Comment: The only difference between this and the 670 are the button placement. Big deal! For almost a $100 difference I can deal with the DVD control buttons at the bottom.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great tactile feel remote, just missing DVR keys (A.B.C)
Comment: I love the original "peanut" shape of the remote, versus the newer square design of the 520, 550, 720 etc. It ergonomically fits in your hand much better and easier to maintain grip while accessing the various keys. I also prefer the raised and separated buttons as they are also more ergonomic and easier to access without looking due to the tactile feedback. The only thing is that it is missing the DVR A, B, C keys.
Logitech Harmony 659 Advanced Universal Remote Control - Refurbished Reviews: Page 1 of 18
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