Customer Rating: 
Summary: Excellent functionality, but poor battery life
Comment: I found the programming software easy to use. (Check to make sure the software ships with the unit or is downloadable.) Everything is laid out nicely and the customizability is fantastic! You'll need to buy a USB/RS-232 interface cable if your PC is a recent model that lacks a 90's-style serial port.
The one big gripe I have with this remote is that it guzzles batteries like a marathon runner in the Sahara. A set of four AAA's only lasts about 3-4 weeks, plus there's no low-battery warning before it stops working. When the batteries are almost gone, it will suddenly run a power-on self-test every other time you press a button. You'll definitely want a set of rechargeables for this one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: STONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND
Comment: If you are a professional installer or plan to hire a professional installer then this might be for you.
I originally paid someone to install a home entertainment system and everything including the remote was working fine...
...until, I wanted to add a blu-ray dvd player. Getting something added to work with this remote is a major hassle. There is no online pdf available. To get the software, you have to register your remote and then wait...and wait some more until they accept your registration.
The apparent strategy of the company is to make this remote installer friendly. A regular joe is helpless with this. Therefore they gain the allegiance of installers to recommend and sell this product for them. Anyway, I had a guy out today to reprogram it, figured all of this out, and now will have to have him come back later in the week. Today is a Saturday so contacting the company was not an option as they were closed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Another tech toy to
Comment: love after it's programmed.
I am a technically challenged lady who still enjoys all the toys available. I just need set up and programming help as well as user lessons. Then, I am fine.
The mx-850 is great for end users like me. Easy to learn how to use it, really is the one and only remote needed for all your equipment and is ergonomically comfortable.
My rating takes into consideration the programming difficulty and the short life of the batteries.It gets a strong recommendation from me as well as the suggestion to research before you buy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Comment: I bought this, along with the 260 RF base, from HiDef Lifestyle. It came complete with the Live Update-enabled software (since they are an authorized dealer).
Easy programming with the PC software (as other reviewers have already mentioned). I've found almost all of the IR codes I need in the builtin database (just hunting down some discrete power codes now, e.g. for an SA cabled box).
I have a typical home theater setup, along with Lutron IR-controlled lighting.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Does Away with Remote Problems
Comment: A superior remote. I admit I was intimidated by the programming software, but that was more of a mind game than anything else.
I worked a a company that professionally installed these remotes for customers, and the entire time I worked for this company, I always heard; "someday when your trained and have completed classes you can *try* to program this remote..."
My bosses built this up like this was incredibly hard to do. Then about 6 months after I left the company I bought one for my house. I got to see the programming software firsthand for the first time when the remote came. I sat down and in about 2 hours had the entire remote working perfectly. Since then I've convinced friends and family to buy this remote and then I set it up for them.
Now we only have one remote in our living room (down from 4) and it's so easy my 9 year old can use it.
It is not idiot proof and is not an "works out of the box" product, but anyone with an IQ of 90 or more can figure out how to make this remote do anything they want it to.
Summary: Excellent functionality, but poor battery life
Comment: I found the programming software easy to use. (Check to make sure the software ships with the unit or is downloadable.) Everything is laid out nicely and the customizability is fantastic! You'll need to buy a USB/RS-232 interface cable if your PC is a recent model that lacks a 90's-style serial port.
The one big gripe I have with this remote is that it guzzles batteries like a marathon runner in the Sahara. A set of four AAA's only lasts about 3-4 weeks, plus there's no low-battery warning before it stops working. When the batteries are almost gone, it will suddenly run a power-on self-test every other time you press a button. You'll definitely want a set of rechargeables for this one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: STONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND
Comment: If you are a professional installer or plan to hire a professional installer then this might be for you.
I originally paid someone to install a home entertainment system and everything including the remote was working fine...
...until, I wanted to add a blu-ray dvd player. Getting something added to work with this remote is a major hassle. There is no online pdf available. To get the software, you have to register your remote and then wait...and wait some more until they accept your registration.
The apparent strategy of the company is to make this remote installer friendly. A regular joe is helpless with this. Therefore they gain the allegiance of installers to recommend and sell this product for them. Anyway, I had a guy out today to reprogram it, figured all of this out, and now will have to have him come back later in the week. Today is a Saturday so contacting the company was not an option as they were closed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Another tech toy to
Comment: love after it's programmed.
I am a technically challenged lady who still enjoys all the toys available. I just need set up and programming help as well as user lessons. Then, I am fine.
The mx-850 is great for end users like me. Easy to learn how to use it, really is the one and only remote needed for all your equipment and is ergonomically comfortable.
My rating takes into consideration the programming difficulty and the short life of the batteries.It gets a strong recommendation from me as well as the suggestion to research before you buy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Comment: I bought this, along with the 260 RF base, from HiDef Lifestyle. It came complete with the Live Update-enabled software (since they are an authorized dealer).
Easy programming with the PC software (as other reviewers have already mentioned). I've found almost all of the IR codes I need in the builtin database (just hunting down some discrete power codes now, e.g. for an SA cabled box).
I have a typical home theater setup, along with Lutron IR-controlled lighting.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Does Away with Remote Problems
Comment: A superior remote. I admit I was intimidated by the programming software, but that was more of a mind game than anything else.
I worked a a company that professionally installed these remotes for customers, and the entire time I worked for this company, I always heard; "someday when your trained and have completed classes you can *try* to program this remote..."
My bosses built this up like this was incredibly hard to do. Then about 6 months after I left the company I bought one for my house. I got to see the programming software firsthand for the first time when the remote came. I sat down and in about 2 hours had the entire remote working perfectly. Since then I've convinced friends and family to buy this remote and then I set it up for them.
Now we only have one remote in our living room (down from 4) and it's so easy my 9 year old can use it.
It is not idiot proof and is not an "works out of the box" product, but anyone with an IQ of 90 or more can figure out how to make this remote do anything they want it to.