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Harmony remote question
Posted on 5/26/17 at 6:40 am
Posted on 5/26/17 at 6:40 am
Been thinking of pulling the trigger on a harmony remote and saw this one on sale this morning. Is this model any good and can it be found for a better price?
Harmony smart control
Harmony smart control
5
Posted on 5/26/17 at 7:28 am to MSGulfTiger
That model is good.
You will not find it cheaper.
Usually on Amazon you can get the hub + keyboard (sans remote) for about the same refurbished, which was always an anomaly to me that it could be found cheaper than the remote + hub. The cheapest I've seen remote + hub is ~$90.
The hub with upgraded remote is $160 on Groupon . It distinctly lacks number keys which has always bothered me.
Without knowing your setup or needs, it is difficult to say whether you'd be just as well off with a Harmony 350/650 for anywhere between $20-50 instead.
You will not find it cheaper.
Usually on Amazon you can get the hub + keyboard (sans remote) for about the same refurbished, which was always an anomaly to me that it could be found cheaper than the remote + hub. The cheapest I've seen remote + hub is ~$90.
The hub with upgraded remote is $160 on Groupon . It distinctly lacks number keys which has always bothered me.
Without knowing your setup or needs, it is difficult to say whether you'd be just as well off with a Harmony 350/650 for anywhere between $20-50 instead.
This post was edited on 5/26/17 at 7:29 am
Posted on 5/26/17 at 7:39 am to MSGulfTiger
I own it. It works fine but it's my least favorite of my Harmony remotes. It's supposedly an upgrade from my Harmony 650 but it has no screen and it's not backlit.
It's my living room remote and if i'm on the couch watching TV with the lights off you legit can't see the buttons.
It's my living room remote and if i'm on the couch watching TV with the lights off you legit can't see the buttons.
This post was edited on 5/26/17 at 7:40 am
Posted on 5/26/17 at 7:47 am to Hopeful Doc
Was planning on use for living room. Just have Samsung tv with directv receiver, sonos playbar/sub and firestick and chrome cast. I like the idea of being able to use eventually with a Google home or amazon echo if I ever decide to get one
Posted on 5/26/17 at 8:18 am to MSGulfTiger
I have that remote and love it. I don't like that it doesn't have backlit keys but I know where the buttons are by touch and memory. It's really not an issue. I also had the 650 prior to this and I prefer the smaller remote. I paired the hub with Alexa to get me access to change to a certain channel by voice.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 8:21 am to MSGulfTiger
This is the cheapest option to switch to one remote for you.
Firestick has no IR, so even though you may have everything in Line of Sight, an IR remote can only use CEC commands (limited function, it will eventually annoy you). This one can talk to it over Bluetooth and do a much better job.
Amazon echo integration is...so far I can get it to turn on/off semi reliably and that is it. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. But that's on two separate systems (father's and my fiancée's). And with hers, I have a lot of difficulty even getting on/off commands to work. I've admittedly only put about 2 hours into trying.
Firestick has no IR, so even though you may have everything in Line of Sight, an IR remote can only use CEC commands (limited function, it will eventually annoy you). This one can talk to it over Bluetooth and do a much better job.
Amazon echo integration is...so far I can get it to turn on/off semi reliably and that is it. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. But that's on two separate systems (father's and my fiancée's). And with hers, I have a lot of difficulty even getting on/off commands to work. I've admittedly only put about 2 hours into trying.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 8:21 am to Hu_Flung_Pu
quote:
I paired the hub with Alexa to get me access to change to a certain channel by voice.
Aha! So it is just that I'm an idiot.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 8:31 am to Hopeful Doc
Mine integrated with Google Home no problem. I have no issues with that. But the fact that it's tied to the hub is the only reason i continue to use it in the living room.
I would have long since relegated it to one of the lesser used rooms in the house otherwise.
I would have long since relegated it to one of the lesser used rooms in the house otherwise.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 8:34 am to Hopeful Doc
quote:
Aha! So it is just that I'm an idiot.
Nah. I think I just created channel favorites or something in the Harmony app and then got in the Alexa app and searched.
I do also have a Smartthings hub.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 8:50 am to Hu_Flung_Pu
Dad's responds to "turn on the TV" and all the activities.
Hers does not. I think the big problem is that she has only a Roku and no real "channels" to go to and turn on (nothing autoplays). So i changed some things around, and now I can launch apps from Roku, but from there, she has to use the remote. And it still won't turn on/off TV/television. But if you "turn on Netflix" it can "turn off Netflix" I wish it would respond to "up" and "OK" or "select"
Hers does not. I think the big problem is that she has only a Roku and no real "channels" to go to and turn on (nothing autoplays). So i changed some things around, and now I can launch apps from Roku, but from there, she has to use the remote. And it still won't turn on/off TV/television. But if you "turn on Netflix" it can "turn off Netflix" I wish it would respond to "up" and "OK" or "select"
Posted on 5/26/17 at 9:02 am to Hopeful Doc
quote:
I wish it would respond to "up" and "OK" or "select"
You can do this with tasker and tasker plugins. Honestly though it's not really worth it. i had it set up and its too much of a pain.
Some things it's still better to just use the remote.
Only thing i have set up for voice is toggle between inputs (watch tv, watch roku, etc), on/off, volume up/down (it does it like 3 or 4 clicks), pause/play, watch MLB Network, ESPN, etc (list of favorite channels), and Watch Netflix, MLB app, HBO GO (list of favorite roku apps).
Posted on 5/26/17 at 9:38 am to MSGulfTiger
It's a fantastic deal but there are 2 problems with this remote....
First, as some have mentioned is no backlight.... it's problem for me
Second, is without the screen on the remote, there is no way to "fix" an issue, i.e. If u press a command and for some reason one of your devices doesn't get the command. The remotes with a screen have the ability to "fix" the problem.
A workaround is to use this remote in conjunction with the phone app.
First, as some have mentioned is no backlight.... it's problem for me
Second, is without the screen on the remote, there is no way to "fix" an issue, i.e. If u press a command and for some reason one of your devices doesn't get the command. The remotes with a screen have the ability to "fix" the problem.
A workaround is to use this remote in conjunction with the phone app.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 9:43 am to 632627
quote:
Second, is without the screen on the remote, there is no way to "fix" an issue, i.e. If u press a command and for some reason one of your devices doesn't get the command. The remotes with a screen have the ability to "fix" the problem.
Correct. I mentioned lack of screen but didn't go into detail. There is no help button and when something goes haywire it's not nearly as easy to get the remote back on track.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 9:51 am to bbap
so how often do things go haywire. I'm looking to get one for myself but possibly also my father in law for fathers day. Phone app would be no issue for me but for him not so sure. I'm sure I'd be the one fixing the issue but I'm 3 hours from him
Posted on 5/26/17 at 9:54 am to 632627
Yeah...I don't like no screen because you can't select an individual component to control.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 10:01 am to MSGulfTiger
If your father isn't technically inclined I'd recommend skipping this.
If he has enough devices where a remote like this would be beneficial, at some point a command will be skipped, and it would be a disaster for him.
If he only has 2 (or 3) devices, then a remote like this may not be necessary.
Regarding how often a command is missed, it depends on your setup. I have my hub placed so that everything is in the line of sight, however sometimes my daughter or housekeeper will inadvertently move it a few inches, and my receiver or tv wont get a command. It becomes a disaster for anyone else in the household besides myself to deal with.
If he has enough devices where a remote like this would be beneficial, at some point a command will be skipped, and it would be a disaster for him.
If he only has 2 (or 3) devices, then a remote like this may not be necessary.
Regarding how often a command is missed, it depends on your setup. I have my hub placed so that everything is in the line of sight, however sometimes my daughter or housekeeper will inadvertently move it a few inches, and my receiver or tv wont get a command. It becomes a disaster for anyone else in the household besides myself to deal with.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 10:01 am to bbap
Yeah I don't like that I can't fix an issue
Posted on 5/26/17 at 11:48 am to MSGulfTiger
quote:
so how often do things go haywire.
for me...not often. But for my wife...several times a week.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 1:16 pm to bbap
i couldnt use any other Harmony remote except for the Elite.
being my control cabinet is back in the hall, the IR on the remote itself is a life saver. with the money.
being my control cabinet is back in the hall, the IR on the remote itself is a life saver. with the money.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 1:17 pm to bbap
quote:it is amazing how quick a woman can frick up something that is working fine.
for my wife...several times a week.
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