Logitech Harmony 650 (915-000159) Universal Remote Logitech Harmony 650 (915-000159) Universal Remote

Pros: Cheap
Easy to program
Lots of devices supported

Cons: Not as customizable
Bulkier than the 880
Not rechargeable
Only 5 devices can be added

Other Thoughts: I bought this to replace my older 880 that finally died after many years of good use.
Obviously we are talking about remotes that are leagues apart. The 880 was billed as a near flagship model when it first came out and cost over $200. This is billed as entry level and cost $65. I should not be too harsh on this remote.
First of all it does control all my current AV equipment including the TV, Cable Box, BluRay, AV Receiver and WD TV Live plus. I can't get it to control the games console as this would be one device too many, but no real loss. The database was pretty accurate when setting up and the software was easier to use than the original software that came with my 880. They only issue I have is with the WD TV Live Plus, the Logitech Software does not really do a good job of controlling this, perhaps I set it up incorrectly! I will revisit the programming when I get a moment.
The remote is solid, however it is a budget offering so be aware, it only controls up to 5 devices, does not have rechargeable batteries and cradle and is not as user friendly as the more expensive models.
However it does work and it is cheap. All in all a good buy. If you need more sophistication then buy a more expensive remote with more device support and greater functionality.

Pros: It's an all-in-one remote
# of devices supported

Cons: Pretty much everything about it

Other Thoughts: We own a Harmony One, which is the greatest all-in-one ever. The 650 is the distant second cousin by marriage, and it's pretty horrible. Like the One, the setup is easy with the software and there is a tremendous # of supported devices. When I use this to power on my devices, there is always something that doesn't turn on - always. When I go through the help prompts, like if my TV doesn't turn on, it will turn the TV on and then ask me if the TV is on (it should ask first, then turn it on, then ask if it's on, which closes the help loop). There is no backlighting on the keys so if you're watching TV in the dark you'll have to use any TV light available to see the keys. On the Harmony One, picking it up "wakes up" the remote. Not the case with this one. I have to hit whatever button twice usually to get it to work. I simply couldn't be more disappointed in a remote.

Pros: Nice orange button backlight
Nice button layout and feel.
Lightweight.

Extended warranty available.

Cons: Died 89 days after purchase.
Feels cheap.
Poor signal.
Compared to the Harmony 880, the signal strength on this is horrible. Our devices dont receive a signal unless there's a clear & direct path. When my wife is reclining watching tv, this means moving the wood coffee table or lifting the remote over her head to use it. With the 880, if I was testing the buttons in another room, it would transmit to the entertainment center. The coffee table certainly wasn't a problem.
The well documented problem of not turning everything off correctly is a constant headache with the 650.
It recently began to act up - restarting itself randomly and not turning everything off or switching components correctly. Putting in fresh batteries and a piece of cardboard to hold them in didnt help. It gave up the ghost last night and rebooted into 'safe mode' with a bunch of code on the screen. After removing the batteries and replacing, it restarts whenever any button at the top is pushed, making it useless.

Luckily I bought the extended warranty from NewEgg - I'll be using the Logitech one for now but I foresee a lot of returns on this remote in the future and will certainly be using the extended ... if I keep using it.

Other Thoughts: I bought this to replace my Harmony 880 which worked like a champ for years. The buttons became unreliable over time due to drops, spills and kid roughness. After opening it up and fixing the buttons several times the family pushed me to buy a new one. The 650 was cheap (refurb) and although it has fewer features seemed to do what we needed. Having gone through the Logitech software Initiation/learning curve for the 880, setup was easy enough and actually provided a couple of buttons we didnt have before.

A week ago my 6 year old son got frustrated with it (yes, he can use it as well as I can...when it's working) and said to me "dad, i wish we could use the old pointer remote, this one is no good. Maybe you could try to fix the old one?"
Looks like I'll be pulling it out this weekend and seeing what I can do to revive it. The problem with it is that the contacts have been pushed down on so many times that they now take a lot more pressure from the keys on top. The silicone between the buttons and contacts has also compressed down. This sometimes causes the contact to get stuck being pushed so hard and fires repeatedly - when it's the volume button it blasts the radio to full volume and requires running to the receiver to silence it. A few spacers between the silicone and contact worked for awhile, but kept slipping out. Time to play McGyver and find a better solution.
I wish now I had bought a used 880 somewhere for about the same price as this 650 refurb, even if it was just to use as parts to fix ours. This 650 will only see a fraction as many button pushes as the 880.

Pros: If the simple setup doesn't work quite right, it will learn commands from your existing remote, you can then assign the command to *any* button, including the ones related to the display. It's a very flexible device.

Once it's set up, it works well.

Cons: While there is "Windows Media Center" available as a Device, the commands are not complete. Specifically, there is no period/dot character available (among others). If you happen to have either a Windows remote that includes a dot, or (ideally) an IR Windows keyboard, you can teach it the dot command.

Other Thoughts: I suggest trying the web-based app first, it seems to have more options. Use the downloadable app only if you discover it does something the web-based version doesn't do--like assign command sequences to a button.

Here's the problem I have with it: The only way to make a favorite channel button that will call up the TV part of Windows Media Center, change the channel and hit "OK" is by assigning a key sequence to a button--WMC defines over-the-air digital channels with a dot (2.1, 4.3, etc.), so you NEED a dot character to do this part.

Apparently Logitech can and will add discrete codes to your account so you can use them, but it takes more than just asking, they give you the run around first.

Another problem is Logitech is apparently switching over from a stand alone app to a web-based setup interface. There are some things that can't be done with the web-based interface--assigning sequences to a button, for instance. AND, there are some things that aren't done as well with the stand-alone app--the Windows Media Center Device setup works much better when you use the web-based setup, it includes many more commands.

Pros: Backlit.

Cons: Loses configuration when dropped, restarts setup wizard, forgets anything useful. I assume the batteries bounce enough to lose contact with the springs or something causing it to reboot and launch the setup wizard that requires a 370-button combination before you can use it again. On top of that it forgets anything that you've customized (other than device setup which was PITA). Press "all off." Did anything turn off? No, of course not. Ok, go through every programmed device until it turns off. Save configuration? Sure! Drop the remote (or even toss it lightly into a basket of baby blankets), reset, repeat. This happens multiple times per day. You know a product is bad when you've got the one-time setup wizard burned into your muscle memory. I've tried the tissues under the cover trick; doesn't work.

Other Thoughts: One of these days this piece of junk is going to realize how much I hate it and start saying "PC LOAD LETTER."

Pros: Very good very affordable universal remote best in class at this price!

Cons: Only negative I found is some of the manufactures listed on web site as "supported" are not actually supported. I have a Higher End System (McIntosh, HK spindle changer, etc.) and the McIntosh components and the HK CD Changer are not supported although Logitech lists these devices it is not until you get the item or look online and do a product number search that you can find out which devices from that MFGR are supported. I felt this was a little deceptive especially since both of these MFGR make a very limited amount of products.

Pros: One remote for four devices. I am actually able to control all of the functions on my old receiver. My old universal remote couldn't. Ergonomics work for me with my med/lrg hands. The setup is on a computer and did not require me to try manually entering several codes for each device to get the remote set up.

Cons: The web based setup did not work for me. I tried it with both Firefox and Internet Explorer (both were versions Logitech states are compatible). I ended up downloading install software which was not obvious to find on their website.

Other Thoughts: If the web setup doesn't work for you look for the software you can install on your machine from Logitech's website. You still need an internet connection to set the remote up with the software.

Pros: Very easy to use and program. Wife has no problems using this remote since the layout is pretty much the same as just bout every other remote out there.

Cons: No favorites button. The favorites function where you program in channels is easy, but actually using them is annoying, the remote spits out the number, it doesn't cycle though the favorites. However under devices you can reach the true favorites function, but if the box that you change channels on isn't the one that you have the volume control on you will have to get out of devices to change the volume. Haven't taught the wife that last bit yet.

Other Thoughts: That last bit will make more sense after you've played with it a bit.

Pros: 1) Reduces remotes up to 4 2) Good button layout emulates most DVR setups 3) Buttons are reprogrammable 4) Keeps the wife from whining about clutter 5) PS3 capability (with $50 add on) is wonderful 6) Actually sped up the menus on my DVR box 7) Very easy setup 8) All Off button is great 9) Help feature makes it easy to turn off individual items or fix most problems 10) Screen is nifty to look at 11) Lights up when picked up, smart 12) Turns off things not in use 13) Overall slick product for the discounted price

Cons: 1) While nifty, adding icons to the screen is nice but semi-useless in the day of 3 ESPN channels, 15 HBO channels, etc 2) Have to remember to keep it pointed at devices until all are on/off 3) Not rechargeable 4) Once I add one more device I've filled this one up 5) Very useful PS3 add on is a whopping $50, though that's not the remotes fault

Other Thoughts: Overall an excellent mid-range remote that's not gigantic, with setup being a breeze and making you realize life is better without a giant collection of remote controls...ever had a house sitter call you becuase they can't figure out the 4 remote controls, when all they want to do is just watch TV? Well now you tell them to press the "watch TV" button and ST FU already...and stay out of my fridge! No worrying about jacking up the TV volume when you really wanted to adjust the receiver, if you don't like the buttons you can remap them, and for me the PS3 add-on was expensive at $50 but really cemented the deal for me...previously I'd have the PS3 controller in my lap, bump an L/R button and suddenly find myself fast forwarding or skipping chapters. The remote really needs a "play game" button to turn on the PS3, but for now I just use "watch movie" which does about the same. Great remote, a month later I forgot I spent $70 on it...and now can't live without. Good buy.

Pros: Really great remote. We replace 4 with this one - very easy configuration. Nice ergonomics and styling. Very pleased with this purchase.

Cons: None