So I finally went and bought a Logitech Harmony Universal Remote...

I use a 650 as well. Very happy with it

Every time I use one (on vacation or at a friend's place) they seem more complicated than an easier universal or just using a couple of remotes.

Is the main advantage simply consolidating remotes, or are there other features too?

I might just be dumb

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Is the main advantage simply consolidating remotes, or are there other features too?

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One button turns on the tv, changes TV to correct input for cable box, changes receiver input to cable box, powers on cable box. Channels change on the remote. Volume changes on receiver. Buttons you need that aren't on the remote are on the screen.

Button next to it leaves all those components on, changes TV input and av receiver input to appropriate ones for Apple TV. Volume still on receiver. Control of AppleTV works now, as well as the regular remote + advanced functions.

Bass too high on the receiver? Remote has a button that says "devices," they populate the screen. You choose "(brand) receiver," and you have total control of the receiver with the more. Nothing you push will upset the AppleTV or TV. Any button that isn't on the standard remote is the screen (my pc remote has like 22-25 PAGES (x4 commands per page) of commands. All customizable, of course...both in terms of where they show up, when they show up, or, heck, if you wanted to, you could make the AV receiver's EQ function the number "8" on the remote. And you could make "2" the "8." I wouldn't advise it, but it's 100% programmable through a rather idiot-proof program on the computer.

I'll admit, picking one up for the first time made me nervous. But a button said "watch tv" and "watch Netflix." I wanted TV, so I pushed it. Then the remote told me to point it at the tv. Then it said "if not everything is on, push 'help'."
I saw the "devices" tab and was feeling confident, so I pressed it. It had links to things that were 2 and 3 submenus deep that were a single button away (or really, you navigate through pages of commands on the remote, so in essence you really navigate submenus on the remote instead of the tv. But it's not the standard submenu...just a command. Not sure if I'm explaining that part well). It's really not all that complicated. For a basic setup (cable box, receiver, one more component, TV) you're better off with the cable company's remote (especially if you learn how to program the volume lock function). Once you get beyond 4 components (cable or directv box and TV being 2 of them), you really start to see value in a universal remote.

As far as the advantages of that vs multiple remotes? I can remember 7 remotes and what goes with each component. My roommate can't. My SO can't, either. My brother comes over and complains about controlling it. Are they idiots? Not particularly. They don't own the equipment, so they don't invest any amount of time into learning it. And 1 remote with a button that sets everything up for you is preferred by them rather than turning on the components with 2 remotes then using a 3rd to control the system. Heck. My roommate went out and bought a cheap, simple DVD player that he hooks up to my tv because he can't figure out how to click "watch dvd" inside of windows media center. I like to think it's not hard. I've started to think that I'm wrong based on the number of people around me who I consider intelligent that struggle with "two buttons on this remote will turn the tv and the receiver on. If the tv doesn't turn on, hold the "TV" button on the bottom left of the remote and the push the "TV power" button. Then that remote does nothing and this one controls everything. Unless you're using one of the digital channels on media center. Then the computer volume doesn't work and that first remote is preferred. Also, if media center gets turned off, push the green button and it should turn back on. If that doesn't work, or you just want to browse the web, there's an RF keyboard/touchpad combo here. It can also control media center, but channel and volume control is easier on the rc6 remote. To change the TV's input, you can either use the tv remote or the receiver remote while holding "TV" and push "input." Then you have to pick up the AppleTV/Roku/etc remote. volume is only on the receiver remote now"

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Hopeful Doc

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I bought the 700 (older model, rechargeable battery) recently. It controls: AV receiver Sony Smart TV appleTV Windows Media Center PC All in all, I'm very impressed with it. Phenomenal remote. Navigates submenus easily. Obscure buttons stored in the screen are a huge plus. For basic functions, I would actually probably recommend the 350 for most people. The newest model will control 8 devices. It only saves one macro function, though, but the big thing, I find, is getting all the components on that people have trouble with (in my household). Having a "weird" component (HTPC) makes the extra controls hidden in the screen extremely nice. If I didn't have them though, i would heavily consider dropping it for the cheaper model because I worry about the durability of the screen (have witnessed 3-4 breakages of the touch-screened 890 in my parents' house). Now, if money were no issue, I would love to give the Logitech Smart Home Hub a try. RF remote (unnecessary for me at present, but wouldn't mind dedicated IR blasters and hiding components). No touch screen, so basic commands only + remembering what you program to it (tough for outsiders), but it is iphone and android app-enabled, giving you back the screen for obscure functions and making it closer to idiot proof.

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Looked at the 700 but didn't need rechargeable as a capability, especially considering all batteries are rechargeable now anyways. Beyond that, the 700 was effectively double for that feature alone compared to the 650 with negligible additional tech or features.

RE: The Smart Hub's functionality you discuss: Why do you want to revert back to multiple remotes (ie-using your phone and the Harmony)? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of unifying multiple systems so that one remote or device controls them all centrally?

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Especially impressed with the solution for the LG Magic Remote (used mainly for its Wii-like controllability in changing TV inputs and navigating LG's web browser for movie watching).

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This is one of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on a harmony remote. My remotes are starting to pile up so if I can still have the functionality of the LG magic remote then I may get one to consolidate all my remotes.

You lose the Wii like functionality but the rocker button the middle of the remote navigates the mouse perfectly.