Logitech Harmony Remotes Owners

[narphenal]

Just bought two of these things using the BBY Promotion(one of these is for a family member). While this is my first Harmony remote, a family member had a couple of old ones laying around, so I made good use of them.

Both setups are a bit different, so I'll list them out just in case anyone has any specific questions.

Setup #1
Sony 70W850B, STR DN1050 configured in a 5.1, Xbox One going to HDMI 1(UVerse plugged into Xbox), Nest Thermostat, 15 Phillips Hue Bulbs, 3 Phillips Hue Lightstrips, iPhone 6 for App Control(will add 2nd zone in future)

Setup #2
Panasonic 60" Plasma, Denon AVRX3000, Panasonic Bluray Player, Apple TV, UVerse, Nest Thermostat, 5.1 in Zone 1, Two 55" LG TVs in Zone 2 (using HDbaseT and splitters)with stereo speakers(the HD BaseT baluns I am using have IR capabilities, so I plan on setting up the IR blasters accordingly).

The first setup is the only one that has actually been setup with the second one going to be setup tomorrow or Friday(can take pictures of setup process if wanted). The first impressions are all positive.

The box itself is attractive and simple


The Contents are packaged quite nicely, and don't look too shabby.


This is everything that comes with it. The Remote, Stand, Hub, Power adapters for the Hub and Stand, 2 IR Blasters, and the sync cable.


The setup itself was extremely easy(except for the part where my Cisco EA4500 decided to commit harakiri mid setup leading me to go purchase a new Router), intuitive, and I fully expect that someone with minimal technological abilities could do it. Having access to the Smart Phone app is what really helps with this remote compared to the older Harmonys(that of which I have limited experience). In addition, both the App and the interface of the remote look good. Being able to set up Activities which not only adjust the thermostats, but my Hue lights is a huge plus, as well as I recently noticed that they added IFTTT(If This Than That) integration as well, leading to an even larger number of capabilities possible with the remote.

As of this point, my only complaint with the Living Home system is the lack of a couple of options with my STR-DN1050 Sony receiver. As my receiver is not only used for Video content, but for Audio content from my phone as well, it was a huge disappointment to see that when creating activities for my Receiver, I was unable to set a input for bluetooth connectivity. I would love to be able to set an IFTTT recipe for my receiver to turn on and switch to Bluetooth automatically when I get home, and in fact the entire purchase price would be worth it for me if I could only do that one action. Something tells me I just need to play around with it more, and that there is an option to teach the remote to do what I am wanting to do(Be patient with me, as stated, I'm new to Harmony remotes )

If anyone has any specific questions, would like any particular pictures or other details, feel free to ask.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by narphenal

Just bought two of these things using the BBY Promotion(one of these is for a family member). While this is my first Harmony remote, a family member had a couple of old ones laying around, so I made good use of them.

What is the Best Buy promotion? I've been considering getting the Ultimate Home for my living room. I've got a Harmony One in my bedroom and I absolutely love that remote but sadly Logitech discontinued that awesome remote. I don't love the design of the Ultimate One but it looks like it might be the best option out there.

[narphenal]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

What is the Best Buy promotion? I've been considering getting the Ultimate Home for my living room. I've got a Harmony One in my bedroom and I absolutely love that remote but sadly Logitech discontinued that awesome remote. I don't love the design of the Ultimate One but it looks like it might be the best option out there.

Hell, it looks like the promotion just ended. You traded in an old harmony remote and got a $100 coupon off of the Harmony Home($350 MSRP).

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by narphenal

Hell, it looks like the promotion just ended. You traded in an old harmony remote and got a $100 coupon off of the Harmony Home($350 MSRP).

Interesting, I see when you go to Best Buy's site and search for Logitech Harmony the header says "Recycle an old Harmony remote, and save $100 on a new Harmony Ultimate Home Control remote" but when you click on the link for details you get an error page. I've got a couple old Harmony remotes I don't use anymore so I might go there this weekend and see if they'd still honor the deal.

[Tok]

Getting $100 coupon off full retail isn't that great. I bought the Ultimate System last year on sale for $275 without turning in an old remote.

[narphenal]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Interesting, I see when you go to Best Buy's site and search for Logitech Harmony the header says "Recycle an old Harmony remote, and save $100 on a new Harmony Ultimate Home Control remote" but when you click on the link for details you get an error page. I've got a couple old Harmony remotes I don't use anymore so I might go there this weekend and see if they'd still honor the deal.

Won't hurt to see.

Originally Posted by Tok

Getting $100 coupon off full retail isn't that great. I bought the Ultimate System last year on sale for $275 without turning in an old remote.

Getting 30% off of a brand new product is actually a really good deal when you take into account you can get an old busted used remote for $10 shipped. And many people have a ton of these things laying around.

[3db]

I have a Harmony 700 that is starting to have issues.. the "OK" button is working intermittently. I will relegate it to the secondary system and buy a Harmony 650 for my main system. I like Harmony products.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Tok

Getting $100 coupon off full retail isn't that great. I bought the Ultimate System last year on sale for $275 without turning in an old remote.

Where was that? I never really see the Ultimate on sale. Not that I've been looking super hard but still.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Tok

Getting $100 coupon off full retail isn't that great. I bought the Ultimate System last year on sale for $275 without turning in an old remote.

yeah, but, what narphenal purchased is the ultimate home which retails for $349 so, $100 savings is great on the newest one and with that savings, it cost less than the one you got last year.

narph, you got a good deal, too bad if it's finished and others don't get the chance to get in on it.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Uxi

Where was that? I never really see the Ultimate on sale. Not that I've been looking super hard but still.

Best Buy. Plus had triple rewards points at the time.

[narphenal]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

yeah, but, what narphenal purchased is the ultimate home which retails for $349 so, $100 savings is great on the newest one and with that savings, it cost less than the one you got last year.

narph, you got a good deal, too bad if it's finished and others don't get the chance to get in on it.

Definitely, was going to buy it either way so the $100 didn't hurt.
I wish I'd have thought to post it up here so other users would have known, I just stumbled upon it by accident.

Originally Posted by Tok

Best Buy. Plus had triple rewards points at the time.

Same here; had a coupon for 3x.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Tok

Best Buy. Plus had triple rewards points at the time.

Nice. I rarely ever go there now. Shame you didn't save your triple rewards for this deal and you might have approached half off. Maybe that should be my plan. Wonder if they'll done of these again soon.

[double]

I don't own a harmony remote but hear and read a lot of good things about them... Would a Harmony 700 be a good option and start for $59?

[teknologee5]

I think the 700 would be a great place to start.
It also depends on how many devices you are wanting to connect to. I think there is a limit. I have a couple of 600s. They have a 5 or 6 device limit. I also have harmony one and the harmony link. I really like the link with the iPhone app. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[ahmadka]

So I got my Harmony 650 recently .. Playing around with it currently ..

Is there any way to control a Windows PC using Harmony 650 ? For example, I'm playing a blu-ray in TMT5, can I use Harmony 650 to navigate in TMT5 and whatnot ?

[Xtempo]

bought a 350 today and the software is weird
trying to replace a 520 since the buttons don't work
i have the old version which worked nicely but this new one doesn't find my tv like the old did

[Remo]

Bought the "smart" keyboard thinking I'd have a use for it. Well I don't... It may be for sale soon.

[Ruben Rybnik]

The promotion is back for recycle. Now you can get the harmony home as well for only $100 after coupon. Looks like a fairly nice remote.

[Uxi]

Yeah comes up. I might have to jump on one!

[mattcole4]

I've got a couple 650's right now and had a few basic models in the past. I like the idea of the harmony remote but the software is pretty craptacular. I don't know if they offer different software as you give them more money but if not they definitely need to invest some time and money there.