Good value programmable remote
Written: Nov 24 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Completely customizable LCD touch screen
Cons: Battery hog
The Bottom Line: If you want value-priced programmable flexibility, buy the UComand 616 or Proton SRC-2010. But to save batteries buy the rechargeable batteries and AC adapter to go with it.
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| ronin20850's Full Review: Crispi UCommand 616 Remote Control |
If you find yourself juggling remote controls for several devices you might be in the market for a programmable remote control. There are a range of products that might meet your needs with a great range of prices. Ideally, you would want a remote that can not only handle your cable box, TV, VCR, CD player, DVD, and stereo but possibly also your personal video recorder, satellite dish, or any new A/V entertainment technology that might come along. The best value I have found was the UCommand 616 (also known as the Proton SRC-2010).
There is at least one high end remote capable of doing everything the UCommand 616 can but at twice the price. The UCommand 616 allows you to control up to 10 devices and create macros to chain commands together. Thus you can press a macro to turn on your TV, the VCR, your stereo/amp, and play a tape. But better still, the UCommand 616 has a customizable LCD touch screen that lets you add and delete device remotes and reproduce any button that is on your original remote. This compares to an earlier remote I reviewed (SUR-20) that also had an LCD screen but did not give you the flexibility to add or delete either buttons or devices. The UCommand 616 also has a smart backlight that lights up in the darkness or dim light. As an optional feature there also is a docking station accessory (UD 616 or Proton SDS-2000DBC) that lets you hook up the remote to your PC and configure commands and download them via the free PC Link software.
That is not to say the UCommand 616 is perfect. Button functionality, devices, and macros are stored in flash memory that should be preserved even if your batteries die. I really haven't gotten the macros to function the way I want them to. Occasionally I have found I have lost functionality for a specific button and have had to re-teach my remote. The remote is also an energy hog that quickly goes through the 3 AAA batteries it requires. This means you will very likely want to buy the AC adapter and rechargeable NiMH batteries. Programming the remote for the first time will take you some time that might be saved with the docking station. If you buy the docking station the adapter and rechargeable batteries are included. Unfortunately, Macintosh owners (like me) wishing to take advantage of the docking station and its PC Link software are out of luck.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ronin20850
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Reviews written: 3
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