best "universal" remote for under $100

[buckshot]

esteemed members. in the past you have helped me with receivers, subwoofers, center channels, gps navigation systems, and super audio CD's. now i need help controlling all the things in my system. right now i have:

samsung 56" 1080p DLP
Playstation 3
Scientific Atlanta HD DVR cable box
OPPO DV-940h
Onkyo TX-SR605
Monoprice.com HDMI switcher with remote

So i need something to control all the these (or all but the ps3) for as little as possible as i am done buying things for my HT. a learning remote is probably what i need but there are so friggin many.

[JJ]

On a unrelated note, would you recommend your DLP?

Something about the size for the same price I would get a 42" LCD with 1080p is very alluring.

[Numerator]

I have the Logitech Harmony remote and I'm quite happy with it. It can work from other rooms and is configurable.

-Numerator

[FF750]

Logitech Harmony 550 hands down for me. I bought it for $100+ a few months back and now it's just 87 bucks on Amazon. After using it I'd never go back. The 520 is a little cheaper and almost as good if you want something even cheaper.

[buckshot]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

On a unrelated note, would you recommend your DLP?

Something about the size for the same price I would get a 42" LCD with 1080p is very alluring.

I love my dlp. the only thing I would suggest over it is a newer LED lit DLP or an SXRD they're beautiful. or the lcd that handle 120hz refresh.

[quetzalcoatl]

If you hunt Amazon you can find the Harmony 880 refurb for around $119. I think that is the last price I saw it.

[buckshot]

Originally Posted by FF750

Logitech Harmony 550 hands down for me. I bought it for $100+ a few months back and now it's just 87 bucks on Amazon. After using it I'd never go back. The 520 is a little cheaper and almost as good if you want something even cheaper.

as so often happens with me (the constant consumer) I start with a goal, sub $100, and now I find cool gadget for just a little more (me validating). any opinions on the harmony 670 or 880?

[Kayne314]

I've got the harmony H659. It doesn't have the classy screen of the 880, or even RF compatibility, but it has yet to fail me. I've changed my home Theater setup quite a bit in the last few months, and it just keeps chugging along. Its easy to set-up, easy to use... Damn I sound like a commercial.

Long story short, I picked up the H659 very cheap... $60.00 because it is replaced with an identical model with interchangeable faceplates. If you can find the H659 on clearance. I'd highly recommend it.

[xivex]

Forget the 880, get the 785 (Australian) or the 720 (US)..very similar, better design than the 880. It does everything the 880 does, but has tactile buttons, better button layout (menu/guide area and tivo/dvr area), and better shape.

I have both the 880 and 720.

Thanks,

X

[buckshot]

all of these have the learning capability right? i'm pretty sure that my hdmi switcher won't be on any of their lists of devices and i'd hate to try and keep track of that tiny remote. the cats think its a toy and have carried it off once already.

[shamus]

I have the Harmony 890 and love it.

[bhampton]

I use a Harmony 659 and love it.

And,.. You can get it to control the ps3!!! There is a work around for this. I used mine with my PS3 for over a year now. Just pick up a PS3 IR remote and then you're good to go. The Nyco blu wave remote (or something like that) is available for $10 at gamestop and does the trick.

-Brian

[buckshot]

ok. I put the harmony 880 in my amazon cart last night for $144. I was looking around to find a better one based on your recommendations. the 720 was more expensive and out of stock. and today the 880 dropped by $22 from last night. so I pulled the trigger. I hope it works out. i've never dropped more than $20 on a remote before.

i'm still mad at myself for going over my $100 limit. now there's 2 bds on b1g1 I can't get.

[BLU STEAL]

love the harmony 880 the only annoying problem i have is i have to play with the remote on the cradle to get it to charge. tried cleaning contacts and still have problem. Other then that dont have any complaints

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

If you hunt Amazon you can find the Harmony 880 refurb for around $119. I think that is the last price I saw it.

Definitely the Harmony 880. I have both the 880 and 659(?), and they are phenomenal. Spring for the 880 though, because it's optimized for use with a DVR and comes with a recharge base. It's fully configurable through your PC via the web, so it will never be obsolete when you add new equipment to your system. You won't regret it at all.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

Dude, http://www.remotecentral.com/ureview/index.html

[mgonzo2u]

Harmony 880

Selling at Amazon.com new for $129.99 today. Free S&H

I just turned my SIL on to this for my bro for xmas.

[WHITETRASH]

BestBuy.com has the Harmony 550 for $84.99. Store will match. I bought it on 12/12 and had it working perfectly in under an hour. It even controls my 5 year old a/v reciever that had been an issue with other universal remotes. I love it.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

I have the 550 as well and it does exactly what it says it does. All of these remotes have issues but this is a good middle of the road model.

[SomethingForKate]

I bought the 550 for my sister, pretty good all-round universal remote. Of course, there is no universal remote on the market that sports bluetooth/PS3 control.

It's only a shame that Logitech haven't released their own version of the Harmon-Kardon TC-30 - which is basically the 550 but with a nice colour screen, more buttons & an integrated recharageable battery. This is the remote I have, and it kicks ass!

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...C%2030&sType=C

SFK