Customer Rating: 
Summary: Total Coverage
Comment: I purchased this item about two months ago and the description said it was "refurbished" however this controller came directly from Logitech and every single detail seemed brand new to me (inducing the charger base and packaging). I had read mixed reviews claiming that the set up was either very difficult or very easy and in my opinion if anyone thinks that the set up of this controller is difficult, they seriously need to try to look for a different controller (probably one that only uses one button). The software interface allowed for perfect synchronization with all 8 of my devices. One thing that a potential user should be aware of if that this controller is not blue-tooth compatible, therefore it will not work as a remote control for a Playstation 3. Also, as a side note, I do not recommend using a controller for the PS3 as it is constantly turning the device on, not matter where is it positioned in the home. I have had absolutely no problems with this remote control and highly recommend it to anyone tired of using more then one controller in their home. It also is a great conversation piece as well. Another bonus is the battery life. Once the remote is fully charged it stays charged for weeks. One of the main reasons for this is that the backlight is not one when the controller is not in use, and similar to the I-Phone it is motion sensitive so when the controller is picked up the backlight automatically comes on and is ready to go.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Control!
Comment: Incredible device you can set it up to control all the equipments and looks amazing forget about dead batteries with the charging station you are always ready to go. The only thing is with my PS3 which I use as BluRay player it uses Bluetooth theres no universal remote on the market with bluetooth capabilities.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Won't do the dishes - Will do Windows Media Center
Comment: I can't understand it. I keep pointing it at the sink, but it won't do the dishes. Other than that it is pretty awesome. I guess if you paid $200 for any one of these Harmonys, it better levitate and have voice command. I am pleasantly surprised. This thing is sooo easy to use. I just got a new home theater system, A-Z, oh no, six remotes, three of them new. All the buttons are in a different place on the new remotes, and their is a certain amount of programability, but you still have to keep six remotes around. Hahaha, I don't have to learn the new remotes. Screw'em.
This 880 refurbed is a steal, at least before they started jacking up the price. If it goes back down to $75, buy it. Buy 2 or 3. You'll swear they are brand new in a brown box. They probably are. They are packed way better than many things retail packed. I kid you not, the hardest part was getting the 880 out of the box and all the surface protectors off. You have to open both ends of the box, or you may think you didn't get the battery and power cord.
They must have upgraded the cradle because it's pretty fool proof, if you can't put this thing in the cradle, don't drive your car. You'll get DUI'ed. The cradle has a blue light the size of a nickel that glows until you seat the 880, and when it does the screen does a little video showing the 880 being cradled, and it fits snuggly in the cradle. Problem? Teach that to my beloved Logitech mouse.
I was a little concerned about the screen after reading some of the reviews, second generation, etc. Darn people that paid too much for this remote. I find it to be large and quite clear and well suited or its intended use, presenting choices in context. Actualy, I like it that I don't put my greasy thumb print on the pristine screen, but the raised buttons next to it. Hey, eating is an important TV watching function.
If you have had to much to drink, you may need to get a designated button pusher.
In case the designated button pusher has poor eye-sight, you can change the screen format so that 4 activities are displayed, shift the screen for 4 more, icons to the left and you can CAPITALIZE your descriptions to the right. This way the descriptions aren't on top of the icons making them hard to read.
Some may be interested. This thing will run Windows Media Center on your tv. Regardless of your computer brand, tell it your computer is Microsoft. Tell it your model is Windows Media Center. You don't have to program the buttons. My Hookup: Pani TH-50PZ85U => Onkyo SR606 => Sapphire 4830 => Asus My Cinema PE9400 => Biostar 790GX A2+. I'm sure other configurations will work fine.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good remote, but check it carefully
Comment: This remote functions very well. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours getting it programmed if you have a lot of various items. The remote is connected to a computer via USB (mini jack - the cable is included), and then you run the software from the Internet. If you forget the password, the software has a very nice feature that retrieves the information and passwords from the remote. The programming software is logical and uses various wizards to setup the remote. If you are lucky you won't have to get into the extra options that are available, which can be tricky. But if you want, you can add various commands to any startup sequence, and also change the timing of the commands. Be sure and change the default names of the activites - "SAT TV" is better than "Watch TV", for example.
Another great feature is the "shake and activate". The backlights go out fairly quickly (about 10 seconds), but if you pick up the remote and shake or rock it side to side, the backlights come on. This is very nice in a dimly lit room, and makes it easy to have both the power saving of no backlighting and yet have the backlighting work when needed.
The remote itself has many standard functions like "channel up/down" and "Play", "rewind", etc. It also uses "soft keys", which show up on the large color screen - one uses buttons on the sides to select the soft keys, and there are "left" and "right" arrows to go between screens of soft keys. I had to manually add several program keys via IR programming (programming the remote built-in keys, not the soft keys). One very useful feature is that you can program custom "soft key" buttons if needed.
The remote generally replicates the common features of whatever OEM remotes you have. This remote works by first having you select your equipment, and then programming activities such as "Watch TV" or "Watch DVD". The remote is automatically programmed to turn on all devices and select the correct inputs. In my case I had two satellite receivers, a home theater receiver, a Blue Ray DVD, a VCR, and an HDTV. When trying to what a DVD, for example, I had to switch the TV to the HDMI #1 input, turn on the DVD, and then set the receiver to a specific channel. The remote did all of this very well, and saved a lot of time when performing the tasks.
Once you have setup the device, all you have to do is select the soft key for your activity, and keep the remote pointing towards all the devices to be activated until everything is up and running.
In my setup I controlled the sounds via the Home Theater Receiver, where as the default "Watch TV" (for example) setup left the volume controls changing the TV volume. You can get around this by programming the volume buttons with "Learn IR", but it is far better to use the capability of changing the button assignments, which automatically programs the remote as to which device is controlled by the volume. Using this feature is better than "Learn IR".
Drawbacks:
The software did not recognize my 2nd Dish Network receiver, and I had to manually program all the buttons. It worked fine after that, but I was surprised, because I've had the 2nd receiver for two years.
I recently switched to AT&T U-verse TV service, and when I programmed the remote I found I could not setup the "Desktop box" to change the channels. It turns out that when selecting the type of device, one has to be careful to start out with a device that the remote expects to be changing channels. My "Desktop box" would not be recognized as a channel changing device until I found the right combination to setup the device. So if you are attempting to set up something like "Watch TV", and your "device" isn't listed as an option to change channels, you might try and use a different device type. In my case, the AT&T had to be setup as a cable box; then everything worked fine.
The thing that I found odd is that when I custom programmed a remote feature (called "Learn IR), and then used the remote for an activity, my custom button programming did not display unless I manually changed the "Device" button and selected the remote.
WARNING NOTE ABOUT REFERB MODELS:
After 3 weeks I began having trouble with the base station not charging the remote, so I ordered a replacement. When I got the replacement I switched out the base station, but also attempted to use the new remote. It turned out that the replacement remote had a poor IR receiver and I could not program the buttons. So if you go for a refurb model, be sure and check it well!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Works for my devices but I don't like the button placement
Comment: I loved the price on the refurb and I have no complaints about that at all. If this thing is used, you cannot tell by its condition. The only real indication that it is not new is the lack of retail packaging- it came in a plain brown box without any print at all. Fine with me.
Others complain about the quality of the LCD. Yes it is a little grainy but it is not a DVD player- who cares. It does its job.
However, I am not as thrilled with this as I hoped to be but this is my fault. The device does what it is supposed to and does so very well.
My dislike is the arraignment of the keys. Most are positioned in the lower 3rd of the device which make it difficult to center the 'waist' of the remote in the palm of your hand and use your thumb to activate buttons in the lower 3rd. BUT- this is the layout of the device and I knew this when I bought it so I cannot really fault it. Newer and more expensive versions of the Harmony have better layouts so I would recommend one of these to people with small hands as you will not be able to operate many of the keys one-handed.
I also which there was a key to quickly get to my DVR recordings (I have a Dish Network VIP722 HD DVR). I had to manually program one but the software makes this very simple.
All in all, a great device.
Summary: Total Coverage
Comment: I purchased this item about two months ago and the description said it was "refurbished" however this controller came directly from Logitech and every single detail seemed brand new to me (inducing the charger base and packaging). I had read mixed reviews claiming that the set up was either very difficult or very easy and in my opinion if anyone thinks that the set up of this controller is difficult, they seriously need to try to look for a different controller (probably one that only uses one button). The software interface allowed for perfect synchronization with all 8 of my devices. One thing that a potential user should be aware of if that this controller is not blue-tooth compatible, therefore it will not work as a remote control for a Playstation 3. Also, as a side note, I do not recommend using a controller for the PS3 as it is constantly turning the device on, not matter where is it positioned in the home. I have had absolutely no problems with this remote control and highly recommend it to anyone tired of using more then one controller in their home. It also is a great conversation piece as well. Another bonus is the battery life. Once the remote is fully charged it stays charged for weeks. One of the main reasons for this is that the backlight is not one when the controller is not in use, and similar to the I-Phone it is motion sensitive so when the controller is picked up the backlight automatically comes on and is ready to go.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Control!
Comment: Incredible device you can set it up to control all the equipments and looks amazing forget about dead batteries with the charging station you are always ready to go. The only thing is with my PS3 which I use as BluRay player it uses Bluetooth theres no universal remote on the market with bluetooth capabilities.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Won't do the dishes - Will do Windows Media Center
Comment: I can't understand it. I keep pointing it at the sink, but it won't do the dishes. Other than that it is pretty awesome. I guess if you paid $200 for any one of these Harmonys, it better levitate and have voice command. I am pleasantly surprised. This thing is sooo easy to use. I just got a new home theater system, A-Z, oh no, six remotes, three of them new. All the buttons are in a different place on the new remotes, and their is a certain amount of programability, but you still have to keep six remotes around. Hahaha, I don't have to learn the new remotes. Screw'em.
This 880 refurbed is a steal, at least before they started jacking up the price. If it goes back down to $75, buy it. Buy 2 or 3. You'll swear they are brand new in a brown box. They probably are. They are packed way better than many things retail packed. I kid you not, the hardest part was getting the 880 out of the box and all the surface protectors off. You have to open both ends of the box, or you may think you didn't get the battery and power cord.
They must have upgraded the cradle because it's pretty fool proof, if you can't put this thing in the cradle, don't drive your car. You'll get DUI'ed. The cradle has a blue light the size of a nickel that glows until you seat the 880, and when it does the screen does a little video showing the 880 being cradled, and it fits snuggly in the cradle. Problem? Teach that to my beloved Logitech mouse.
I was a little concerned about the screen after reading some of the reviews, second generation, etc. Darn people that paid too much for this remote. I find it to be large and quite clear and well suited or its intended use, presenting choices in context. Actualy, I like it that I don't put my greasy thumb print on the pristine screen, but the raised buttons next to it. Hey, eating is an important TV watching function.
If you have had to much to drink, you may need to get a designated button pusher.
In case the designated button pusher has poor eye-sight, you can change the screen format so that 4 activities are displayed, shift the screen for 4 more, icons to the left and you can CAPITALIZE your descriptions to the right. This way the descriptions aren't on top of the icons making them hard to read.
Some may be interested. This thing will run Windows Media Center on your tv. Regardless of your computer brand, tell it your computer is Microsoft. Tell it your model is Windows Media Center. You don't have to program the buttons. My Hookup: Pani TH-50PZ85U => Onkyo SR606 => Sapphire 4830 => Asus My Cinema PE9400 => Biostar 790GX A2+. I'm sure other configurations will work fine.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good remote, but check it carefully
Comment: This remote functions very well. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours getting it programmed if you have a lot of various items. The remote is connected to a computer via USB (mini jack - the cable is included), and then you run the software from the Internet. If you forget the password, the software has a very nice feature that retrieves the information and passwords from the remote. The programming software is logical and uses various wizards to setup the remote. If you are lucky you won't have to get into the extra options that are available, which can be tricky. But if you want, you can add various commands to any startup sequence, and also change the timing of the commands. Be sure and change the default names of the activites - "SAT TV" is better than "Watch TV", for example.
Another great feature is the "shake and activate". The backlights go out fairly quickly (about 10 seconds), but if you pick up the remote and shake or rock it side to side, the backlights come on. This is very nice in a dimly lit room, and makes it easy to have both the power saving of no backlighting and yet have the backlighting work when needed.
The remote itself has many standard functions like "channel up/down" and "Play", "rewind", etc. It also uses "soft keys", which show up on the large color screen - one uses buttons on the sides to select the soft keys, and there are "left" and "right" arrows to go between screens of soft keys. I had to manually add several program keys via IR programming (programming the remote built-in keys, not the soft keys). One very useful feature is that you can program custom "soft key" buttons if needed.
The remote generally replicates the common features of whatever OEM remotes you have. This remote works by first having you select your equipment, and then programming activities such as "Watch TV" or "Watch DVD". The remote is automatically programmed to turn on all devices and select the correct inputs. In my case I had two satellite receivers, a home theater receiver, a Blue Ray DVD, a VCR, and an HDTV. When trying to what a DVD, for example, I had to switch the TV to the HDMI #1 input, turn on the DVD, and then set the receiver to a specific channel. The remote did all of this very well, and saved a lot of time when performing the tasks.
Once you have setup the device, all you have to do is select the soft key for your activity, and keep the remote pointing towards all the devices to be activated until everything is up and running.
In my setup I controlled the sounds via the Home Theater Receiver, where as the default "Watch TV" (for example) setup left the volume controls changing the TV volume. You can get around this by programming the volume buttons with "Learn IR", but it is far better to use the capability of changing the button assignments, which automatically programs the remote as to which device is controlled by the volume. Using this feature is better than "Learn IR".
Drawbacks:
The software did not recognize my 2nd Dish Network receiver, and I had to manually program all the buttons. It worked fine after that, but I was surprised, because I've had the 2nd receiver for two years.
I recently switched to AT&T U-verse TV service, and when I programmed the remote I found I could not setup the "Desktop box" to change the channels. It turns out that when selecting the type of device, one has to be careful to start out with a device that the remote expects to be changing channels. My "Desktop box" would not be recognized as a channel changing device until I found the right combination to setup the device. So if you are attempting to set up something like "Watch TV", and your "device" isn't listed as an option to change channels, you might try and use a different device type. In my case, the AT&T had to be setup as a cable box; then everything worked fine.
The thing that I found odd is that when I custom programmed a remote feature (called "Learn IR), and then used the remote for an activity, my custom button programming did not display unless I manually changed the "Device" button and selected the remote.
WARNING NOTE ABOUT REFERB MODELS:
After 3 weeks I began having trouble with the base station not charging the remote, so I ordered a replacement. When I got the replacement I switched out the base station, but also attempted to use the new remote. It turned out that the replacement remote had a poor IR receiver and I could not program the buttons. So if you go for a refurb model, be sure and check it well!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Works for my devices but I don't like the button placement
Comment: I loved the price on the refurb and I have no complaints about that at all. If this thing is used, you cannot tell by its condition. The only real indication that it is not new is the lack of retail packaging- it came in a plain brown box without any print at all. Fine with me.
Others complain about the quality of the LCD. Yes it is a little grainy but it is not a DVD player- who cares. It does its job.
However, I am not as thrilled with this as I hoped to be but this is my fault. The device does what it is supposed to and does so very well.
My dislike is the arraignment of the keys. Most are positioned in the lower 3rd of the device which make it difficult to center the 'waist' of the remote in the palm of your hand and use your thumb to activate buttons in the lower 3rd. BUT- this is the layout of the device and I knew this when I bought it so I cannot really fault it. Newer and more expensive versions of the Harmony have better layouts so I would recommend one of these to people with small hands as you will not be able to operate many of the keys one-handed.
I also which there was a key to quickly get to my DVR recordings (I have a Dish Network VIP722 HD DVR). I had to manually program one but the software makes this very simple.
All in all, a great device.
Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control - Refurbished Reviews: Page 9 of 42
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