Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control

Imagine... controlling all your devices using only one remote - without a direct line of sight to the components! With the Harmony 890 Remote, you can still control your home entertainment while all those unsightly wires and components remain hidden behind cabinet doors or walls.

PROS: - Nice 8 buttons for the LCD screen so there's less flipping to the next page - No bugs unlike the Logitech Harmony 620 and 670. - Nice how when I pick it up, it senses the motion and the screen lights up. - Seems durable in case the kids drop it on the tile floor. - The IR extender works great. - Wife and kids love it. - Terrific Tech support with almost no wait time. - I like the Harmony 890's button layout much better than the Harmony 620. CONS: - The base charger did not make contact with the remote so I exchanged it for another unit and now it makes contact with the remote on the first try. - Seems I have to charge it every 3-4 days. - Can't import my photos to represent the icons - Expensive - Can only control RF, IR, and Z-wave devices which means it can't control Sony Playstation which uses bluetooth. WISH LIST: - Too bad the charger doesn't have a button to press to find/locate the remote like my cordless phone at home to help me find it after other members of my family uses it.

What a mistake. I am awaiting an RMA for my second replacement of this defect-plagued device. For close to $300 I expect so much more. Logitech has truly underwhelmed with their service and support. The screen on the first device failed, a common problem as you will see if you search the Logitech support forums. I spent an hour on the phone with a customer service agent who had me dismantling my home theater system in order to test individual components. Eventually he concluded that, yes, it was a device problem not an operator problem and that it was a common failure with these devices. They shipped me a new remote and told me to throw away the existing one. After configuring the new remote, which took some figuring because it does not ship with current firmware, it was apparent that the device was defective out of the box. Fine if you never have to select a channel with a 3, 6, or 9 in the number but otherwise a problem. I am now awaiting resolution of this issue and after two calls and promised emails that never arrive, I have written off the product. Save your money and buy an IR extender with a standard remote.

For a straight forward setup this product works great. If you want to do something a little different it's pretty much trial and error. You would think Logitech could produce a decent manual. I bought this product so that I could operate equipment in another room. It works about 75% of the time. Distance and obstuctions do matter and is actually quite a bit less than advertised.

This remote does exactly what it is meant to do, control everything. I was amazed at how well the default button setup was for all of my electronics. A few tweaks and everything works. I haven't even set up the RF portion yet. The IR is so powerful that many of the things that had trouble with their own remotes are working great now. My wife loves the "one remote" for everything and less clutter on the coffee table. Yeah, it's a little expensive but sure worth it in my household.

I've been using an extreme amount of remotes to control my devices. This 890 remote has made life so much easier, it's unbelievable. I was shocked at how easy it was to program. It's just awesome. I do believe I can even get my wife to use it. (Hummmmm)