WHAT IS IT: Universal programmable home entertainment system remote control with smartphone app option
NEW, FUTURE or RETRO: new and hotPREVIEW or REVIEW: review
Things I like:
1. The remote is rechargeable, sits upright in the provided cradle and the keys light up automatically, turn off automatically and reactivate when the control senses motion. Not so rosy is that the battery is not user replaceable ... if it dies you are advised to throw it away.
2. The button arrangement and "feel" of the control are near perfect so that after a short while you rarely have to look at the keys. Some people don't care for the transport buttons (i.e. FF/REW/PLAY/PAUSE) being at the top. After getting used to them being there you will find that the shape of the case causes your hand to naturally hold it in the right position to reach all keys comfortably. Once I trained myself to use my index finger for those keys instead of my thumb I love the design.
3. TiVo users will quickly find that the keys they use most of the time are just as instinctive as TiVo's own kidney-shaped control ... only better. Every TiVo function is easier and more natural on the Harmony Ultimate than on the TiVo remote.
Areas for improvement:
1. Logitech needs a LOT of work on communicating the basics of setting up their remotes. Even though I've set up similar remotes, until I got to the actual programming of the device I was baffled as to what I was expected to do.
2. Someone at Logitech needs to realize that the days of someone in the household "owning" the remote control are ancient history. They need to have the means to add additional controllers to the hub (either Ultimate-style or basic-style). I believe the majority of two adult households require at least 2 remotes controlling the same devices, however after detailed discussion with a very helpful tech support I was assured that the hub is keyed to the Ultimate remote and no other can be added or used. Why is this important? Most people aren't techies. While the Ultimate remote is easy to use after you get used to it, you may have a non-techie spouse or elders in the household who would simply like to adjust the volume or change channels. If the "owner" has the remote, what do they do? If they try to use the original remote that came with the device it messes up the sequencing of the Harmony.
3. Clarifying that statement, yes it IS possible to load an app to most smartphones and use it with the Ultimate hub, however this ends up being a "look how cool this is" gadget to show off to your friends the first time and then never use again. By the time you startup the app, which takes 5-10 seconds you see how useless it is, plus the obvious fact that using your phone as a TV remote gets in the way of using it as a phone and texting.
4. The AC transformers are about twice the size of similar units from Logitech or other manufacturers. I could not fit two of them side-by-side in my installation and had to add an AC power cube to fit them.
Observations:
1. I noticed a couple of unusual things when I opened the box. While the components were securely packed, unlike most current electronic accessories, especially high-end ones, the 3 major pieces were simply sitting in molded plastic wells (the kind of plastic Hostess cupcakes are packed in). There was no clear film or other protection around the components. I don't consider that a negative and it doesn't take anything away from the item's performance, but like I said, it seemed unusual. The other thing that caught my attention is that the remote had zero charge to the battery, not even the slightest amount to power on. I can't recall anything I've bought in recent memory that didn't come with at least a bit of a charge to it.
2. In addition to the remote, charging base and transponder unit referred to above, the box contains 2 AC power transformers, two IR devices and one standard USB cable to connect the remote to your computer. Plus there is a small map-like foldout setup guide. No CD's. I strongly suggest before you touch anything that you create a Harmony account and read the online setup guides or you will be completely lost, including the most basic things like how long you should charge the battery before attempting to use the remote.
Summary:
The look and feel of this remote is stunning. The touchscreen is responsive and sharp, the buttons activate positively, the rough surface on the back of the remote prevents accidental slippage, the haptic feedback of the screen assures accuracy, and the two included IR sensors will accommodate virtually every installation. Once you get used to it you will find it very hard to go back to almost any other remote control. It would have earned 5-stars on almost every point except that you can't add a second or third remote for other members of the household. That's a serious flaw.
WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE: Rather than control your electronic devices directly, this remote "talks" to a hub that you can place anywhere in the room and communicates using RF rather than IR. What that means is that you don't have to point the remote at anything, it will work anywhere in the room. The big benefit is that it comes with two tiny IR dongles that, if necessary, you can place inside the cabinet or closet where your components are and be able to control them. Particularly nice is if your components are not in line of sight with each other, you can point one IR dongle at one component and the other at the remaining components.
SIMILAR TO: Universal Remote Control MX-450; Marantz RC3001 Universal
DO YOU NEED IT: only if you have a healthy disposable income and love gadgets. While it is great for replacing a coffee table full of remotes and programming your complicated entertainment system to run at the touch of a single button, it’s hard to get away from the reality that this remote costs as much as most people pay for their LCD TV.
HOW IT IMPACTS YOU: all-in-one programmable remotes have been around for many years. As home entertainment systems get increasingly more complex a “one button” solution is very attractive. This technology isn’t new, only this particular model of remote from Logitech, therefore the overall impact is relatively small
COMMENTS: For someone who desires this genre of remote control the Ultimate would have been a home run. Logitech however, faltered in assuming that whoever else in the room who wants to control the system would have a smartphone handy. Not only is that not realistic but not practical. Using a smartphone for a simple task like changing channels can take up to 30 seconds, and interrupt whatever else you’re using the phone for at the time. To be truly ultimate Logitech needed to offer the option of adding “dumb remotes” for simple tasks like channel changing, volume adjustment and DVD functions.
TECH TOY WIZARD RATING: 4/5
BUYING OPTIONS: Buy it at Amazon
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