snakedoctor's Full Review: Logitech Harmony® 890 LCD Remote Control
I bought this remote (and two other models of Harmony remotes), to end the problem of having 5 or 6 remotes around to operate our multimedia equipment. We also liked the fact that they are rechargeable and can be charged with just a short visit to the charging cradle. My wife and I each have different models of the Harmony, but they are very similar except hers can also operate as a radio transmitter control and mine cannot. She keeps hers in the charger when she is not using it. I charge mine about once a week.
These units are reasonably ergonomic and as such fit in the hand fairly well. The buttons running vertically along side the LCD screen are soft programmable, meaning that they are programmed for different functions depending on the device one is operating at the time. These buttons also are used to select the device you wish to use, and they are also soft programable for that use as well.
One of the features I like most is that these units can be programmed for almost any device using a USB connection to an internet capable computer. You simply go to the logitech website create a user ID and describe your hardware setup. You will have to have the make and model numbers for all of the devices you want to use with the Harmony to set all this up.
The Logitech site stores all of this information so you never have to start over should you replace one of your components. Moreover, you can design complex operational functions and load them into your handset. The site also lets you program directly any special functions you might want applied to a particular button on your remote. In our case one of the more complicated things we have programmed it turning on our Sony DVD juke box.
Our remote is programmed to turn on the TV set, set it to "video 2" where we have connected the output from the Sony player, turn on the stereo system amplifier to handle the audio, and of course turn on the Sony DVD player. When this is all done, the volume button controls the volume on the amplifier, the LCD has labels for all the Sony DVD player complex functions, and the hard coded VCR/DVD control buttons under the LCD screen controls the standard DVD deck functions. Of course this means that when we want to watch satellite the remote must turn on the TV, set it to "Video 1" where the satellite system is connected, and turn on the satellite system and turn everything else off.
For each of the setups we have, the system must also show the correct button functions alongside the LCD screen, and it does. If the particular device you would like to control is not listed on the logitech website, it is possible to "train" the Harmony using the remote from the device you wish to control and the logitech itself. It can actually see the commands sent from other remotes and remember them.
In my view these are very good remotes. There are different models depending on what you need to do. Some models are capable of sending both radio frequency and infrared control signals (though not at the same time, you must pick one or the other). Some models are trainable, others can only accept downloads of device control data from the logitech website.
The software that comes with the controller can be used on both Mac OS and Windows systems. This is a real plus for Mac folks because most competing devices are not Mac compatible. Logitech started out making accessories for the Mac and they continue to be a major player in this area.
If I have to fault this device for anything, it would be that the set up is not as intuitive as it could be. It is not really difficult, but it could be easier. Also there is only accommodation for each user ID on the Logitech website to configure a single device. There are some differences between the various models of Harmony controllers, and it is not possible to own more than one of these different models and have a profile for each separately under the same user ID. My last issue would be with the location of the numeric buttons. Those of us with satellite systems use the numbers a lot and they would be better located nearer the center of the unit instead of at the lower end. This location of the number pad makes it difficult to use one hand to input numbers.
The units seem to be made well. They have back lit buttons. We have been using various models for a few years now and have had no significant issues. It does appear that it might not be wise to spill anything on the buttons. I have never tried this to see if the unit would self destruct but the keypad just looks as though it would not react well to sticky or wet spills.
The design is attractive, and in our case these have replaced a bunch of other controllers. Everything comes with a remote these days, and this solves the problem of keeping track of all of them by replacing them with one single device.
I have and would recommend these to friends and family.
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