Logitech Harmony 659 Universal Infrared Remote Control

Pros: Can't beat the sale price. Worked with all 6 of my devices, and they were all in the logitech database, even a WD HD movie box thingy (under multimedia pc's.)

Works awesome for a dishnetwork DVR box.

Cons: Vizio TVs have only a power toggle command? Lame.

Make sure your devices support "poweron" "poweroff" and discreet input selection like "HDMI1" "Component1" etc. for the best experience.

I wish logitech would let you see the commands in their database before you buy a remote.

Other Thoughts: If you don't like harmony remotes, it is because you haven't programmed it properly, and/or because your equipment doesn't have the right kind of commands available.

Pros: Every other universal remote I've had made you need to have the original remote around to take up some slack, but this one is all I need. Very comfortable to hold, buttons are laid out mostly very well, backlight is helpful. Programming it on your PC can take a while, if you want to get it all perfect for you, but it's oh so worth it. :)

Cons: Some buttons stick a little, and I don't particularly like the video transport buttons on the bottom. Neither are deal breakers, however.

Other Thoughts: Spend the time with the software, and you will have one remote to rule them all. (Sorry, couldn't resist lol)

Pros: This product is amazing. It does everything that was listed that it could do. I have not owned it for long, but so far I have been impressed on its capabilities.

Cons: None so far.

Other Thoughts: I would like to warn potential buyers that this product requires somewhat knowledge of technology. Any average Joe will have some trouble understanding all the features. If you have big fingers, you may have some issues with the closeness of the buttons.

Pros: Everything. Replaced 6 remotes. My wife hated our set up before as there were too many remotes. When I tired other "universal" remotes, they did not offer the function's she wanted for certain devices. This one was a snap to set up, using the online web process. Just enter the model numbers of your tv, cable box, amp, dvd player, etc and then tell it how each is hooked up to the systems. The remote is then programed to send the correct signal to each part of your system, in the order the units need. Has several standard buttons for "Watch Tv" or "Watch a Movie" and you can program other activities like Watch VCR. Within 2 days all the other remotes went into a basket. My wife was very happy. You still need to keep the other remotes for some settings as this one does not do 100% of all functions, but 100% of the ones you use every day. Great range and you don't have to aim it and get a bulls eye for it to work.

Cons: The display is not color. You have to program it from your PC so if you do not like that process, it will be difficult to set up. The buttons are pretty small and their labels are hard to read, but you get to know which button does what by touch after you use it awhile. The placement on the buttons is ok, but probably will not duplicate the location you have now, so you have to get used to their location. Same problem for most universal remotes. The plastic case is a little slick, so you really have to hold on to this or you may drop it. I have, but it has not hurt the unit. Uses 4 aaa batteries which last about 3 months. Then the unit loses some range and you start seeing some components not come on correctly. You need the bulls eye aim then. Just replace the batteries!!!

Other Thoughts: I have played with other Harmony remotes which cost much more, and this one does lack some of their options. (color display, recharge docking station). For this price, why pay for fluff. Best remote I have purchased. Buy with confidence if you are on a budget!!

Pros: Works with devices that most standard universal remotes will not. Works with windows 7.

Cons: Stays on all of the time. Driver CD was broken so I had to download the vista version from logitech's website.

Other Thoughts: I have a Magnavox edtv, an Onkyo reciever/soundsystem, DirectTV, and a GE Dvd player. None of these devices worked with Universal remotes until I purchased this. It was easy to set up and I love the help button.

Pros: The 659 is very configurable...if you can get your mind around the programming process. Some functions require a user-developed hack that Logitech doesn't distribute or acknowledge. The amount of onboard memory is sufficient for most complicated chained functions. So far, there isn't anything I need to do that I can't accomplish with some experimentation and help from the user community.

Cons: The ergonomics of this remote are HORRIBLE! Tiny mushy silicone buttons that are crowded and provide terrible tactile feedback. I've got a Harmony 620 that is much friendlier. It's layout and hard, stable buttons make navigating the remote in reduced light much easier.

Other Thoughts: I can't recommend the 659 remote and I am very sure that I would not replace it with a similarly designed Logitech product. This pending obsolete and unpopular remote is being dumped at a substantial price cut. You'll have to decided when the price gets low enough for you to be willing to overlook the poor Logitech design on this particular model.

Pros: Programming via computer software was intuitive and easy.

Cons: Constant reversion to "Safe Mode" was frustrating, the "Off" key was either stuck or just poorly made product overall. Would not work with my Comcast's HDTV digital cable box. Though you can program the backlight for quicker automatic shutdown, it still goes through batteries far too quickly for this type of remote.

Pros: This really is such a great remote! I purchased this to replace my 5 year old 659 that started to act up. I was very happy to see they still had this model as this is what the family is used to. It may not be as sexy as the new ones, but functionally, it works great. I own two of these and each one controls different hardware. These babies can control so many different equipment configurations it is amazing. The web interface and activity model really help those who do not know your system work it like a pro.

Cons: My only issue over the years has been batter draw. The latest firmware certainly helps the issue, but it still tends to eat batteries.

Pros: - Sturdy
- Easy to set up
- Only $40!
- Controls most devices
- Eliminates need for other remotes in your household
- One button to power on all devices

Cons: - I did not buy it sooner

Other Thoughts: This remote is awesome for $40. It has the ability to control all the devices in your a/v setup (including your media center PC).

It has activity buttons that turn on all necessary equipment and also change everything to the correct inputs with the press of a button.

This remote is a must for anyone with a large home theater system and lots of remotes.

The web interface makes programming this thing a snap. It took me 15 minutes to get everything working.

Pros: I picked this up for $40 and hate myself for not getting this sooner. I was able to program it to handle Samsung TV, Yamaha received, comcast DVR and toshiba DVD player in less than 30 minutes, I love the labels of watch TV or Watch movie, ect. I finally had a night out without my mother inlaw calling to ask how to use the TV. This is simple and works all the devices adaquately.

Cons: If i was being picky the DVR/DVD play, rewind buttons are awkardly located at the bottom of the remote.

Other Thoughts: I had multiple remotes which were simply messy looking, I wish i would have got this earlier, Very simple to program, My whole family is very happy with this product