Logitech Harmony® 659 LCD Remote Control

Pros: Easy to use, easy to set up, wonderful performance, well constructed
Cons: Can be a little confusing to set up

Are you tired of having 20 different remotes laying around any room with electronic devices? I know I was. I had gotten to the point where I needed a remote for the remotes. Something that could tell me what went with what and what it did when I ...

Pros: One-handed operation; huge database of devices; "Smart State" capability
Cons: A bit pricey, web interface needs an easily reachable advanced mode

If one were crazed enough to go on an Easter Egg hunt for remote controls in our living room, it would net a bonanza of riches. We have remote controls from devices long since dispatched to the landfill. Every new electronic gizmo now seems to come with ...

Pros: Easy to use, easy to configure, controls everything from one remote
Cons: Batteries don't last very long, a bit pricey

The home entertainment system in my fiance’s apartment is a mess. With so many components, we dread going behind them to add anything new. The wires are a disaster, despite several attempts to organize them. Controlling the components has been no ...

Pros: One button switching between activities, easy set up.
Cons: I wrote way too much while covering so little of what it can do.

I call our gaggle of electronics a “Home Theater”. You can call your gaggle that too, if you want. If yours is like ours, it’s made of components from different manufacturers, from different production years, with a bunch of non-compatible ...

Pros: Controls everything imaginable. Good price considering features of the competition.
Cons: It won't control your wife!

Yes, I must have owned so many universal remote controls over the years that they would cause my coffee table to collapse under the weight if they were all placed on it. I never found one I liked or that was easy to use. FINALLY! The Harmony. I've ...

Pros: Activity based. Easy to use - Wife approved! Help button.
Cons: Requires the computer to set up. Requires patience when setting up. Battery life.

So how many remotes do you have on your coffee table? If you are anything like me, you have at least 4... I had 7! A Sony Universal Remote and then the remotes for the TV, Receiver, Satellite Receiver with TIVO, VCR, DVD Player and CD Player! I had to ...

Pros: stylish, elegant design, great backlighting, flexible programming, Mac OSX /Windows compatible, "activity-based" buttons
Cons: requires website for programming, programming can be complex, pricey

Why I wanted to try this remote: Simple. My marriage was being mildly threatened by the sprouting of various remote controls around our family room. Eventually (when the number of remotes passed 10) the task of simply watching TV through our surround ...

Pros: If your home electronics use IR, then this remote can control it.
Cons: Default control settings may not be the most logical for your components.

So, if you are like me and you have an entertainment center full of audio and video equipment, and not all of the brands are the same; because you are not a fan of buying prepackaged home stereos, or because you are always trying to find the best ...

Pros: It works. Reasonably priced, versatile, comfortable to hold and carries a significant "wow" factor.
Cons: Infrared beam may be too tightly focussed.

ONE-YEAR UPDATE, Dec. 07: Still going strong, still my best buddy. The quick-disappearing backlight mentioned below turned out to be a fault in my unit. After a courteous, pleasant exchange of e-mails and some on-line work, Logitech support determined ...

Pros: This concept of programing a remote over the web is the way to go.
Cons: Expect to spend an hour or two online to get everything just right.

Ok, friends of mine kept telling me about this universal remote control that work through the web with your computer. So I started reading up on the Harmony remote control product line and picked the SST-659. I got it online at a discounter for a little ...

Pros: Programability, functionality, Super easy to set up and use. Internet capability.
Cons: Sometimes tricky getting it to work properly, but this is a problem with all remotes.

I purchased my Harmony remote from Bluedo.com. They run deals on this remote often, and paid around $130, including shipping. Right out of the package, the remote feels cool. It is sleek, ergonomic and feels good in the hand. Immediately fooling ...

Pros: Easy basic setup, backlit, good tactile feel.
Cons: Cumbersome advanced setup, Web-only setup.

I'd read up on this model here at Epinions and decided to give it a shot. I was relieved to find that none of the irritations experienced by some affected me. I needed a remote to replace my myriad remotes that control my home theater and to retire an ...

Pros: Controls everything, relatively easy to program, good customer support
Cons: Too small, inconvenient buttons, ergonomic failure

I am an engineer and somewhat of a gadget guy – but I like mature technology; I have no desire to be the first kid on the block owning state-of-the-art technology, and to have to slog thru the development pains. So I have waited many years for a ...

Pros: Relatively easy (but still cumbersome) setup with an awesome database of devices
Cons: Ergonomics are poor. Philips Pronto is a much easier remote for families to use.

I have been a Pronto remote user for a few years now. The pronto IS a great remote, but it takes a lot of time, patience and expertise to get it programmed to work with your equipment. But once you’ve mastered the Pronto the sky’s the limit. It can do ...

Pros: Intuitive, plain English set up and operation.
Cons: Buttons sometimes hard to reach. No clock display. Requires computer and internet connection.

This remote is fantastic! Initial set up is fairly easy, although I did get stuck with one problem which was remedied very quickly by their very friendly and quick to answer tech support. Otherwise, set up was a breeze. I should point out, thought, ...

Pros: Totally idiotproof (I tested it), highly customizable, handles several devices simultaneously!!
Cons: To get it to do EVERYTHING...you may spend several sessions online! But worth it...!!

Truly amazing, internet-powered remote with unmatched user-friendly setup on your COMPUTER!! Tried other 'Universal' remotes, only to give up in frustration. Note: I have a Bose 321 Home System, and NONE of the Universal Remotes (the ones in the ...

Pros: True Universal Remote Internet Programming / PC Connectivity Support & Community Battery Life
Cons: Does not support some obscure devices ... yet Button layout has steep learning curve

I've had my harmony remote for several months at this point and hesitated in writing a review before I had fully tested all of the programming options that the remote offers. My Harmony remote has replaced six remotes, tv, satellite, digital cable, ...

Pros: Attractive, intuitive, user friendly, and just pretty darn spiffy.
Cons: LCD screen is a bit small.

I professionally install home theater systems for a living so as you can imagine I work with a pile of universal remotes. Programming them is an art for in most cases. I have a lot of experience with the phillips pronto, the line of universals from Home ...

Pros: Easy setup. Easy Use. It works as advertised.
Cons: My cable box doesn't power up all the time. Need to work on more. Minor.

I have just received this product from E-bay ($100). For what I needed it appears perfect. I had 4 remotes and was able to put them into a drawer and everyone in my family can now run the entire system with this remote. The Help button may appear ...

Pros: Truly Universal. Action settings to put all components in right modes.
Cons: Setup is a bit complicated. Not all component features readily accessible (expected)

I’ve looked into the universal remote field after my girlfriend complained that she can’t figure out how to listen to the music or play the movie in my “wired” AV setup. Can’t blame her. It takes 3-4 remotes to do that. After ...

Pros: easy to use, handles just about everything
Cons: requires Internet access to setup, not well documented

I bought this remote not knowing anything about it and being somewhat concerned about its price. Prior to this remote I had a cheap $35 RCA all-in-one remote that I spent a good deal of time setting up but I couldn't explain to anyone else how to use. ...

Pros: Great Technology, consolidates remotes and complexity
Cons: Requires some understanding of technology to program properly

Problem: Four remote controls, an actual queue card on how to use each remote and which order to use them, and very discontent family members. I am an techie, in the sense that I have a higher-end TV and sound system, and am usually closer ...

Pros: Great idea. Easy configuration. Remote and buttons feel solid. Works as advertised.
Cons: Website sometimes too busy to download configuration data.

I purchased this product yesterday and was incredibly excited about it. I went to the Harmony web site and configured my set-up in their very intuitive set-up wizard. This wizard was so easy and complete that during the process I was totally confident ...

Pros: Easy to set up devices and macros
Cons: Buttons are small, Web setup is way too slow

After searching high and low for the perfect remote, I found the harmony 659. My main criteria was how did it feel in my hand. Are the main buttons all centralized naturally under my thumb and of course, did it handle all my devices. :) After the ...

Pros: Ease of use, flexibility, USB programmable with software that runs LOCALLY on your computer.
Cons: The software needs some refining

On Jan 3, 2006 I wrote a review at h ttp://www.epinions.com/content _216347020932 and I stated that this remote was excellent, but the programming website was unavailable making the remote unusable. Fearing there was ...

Pros: price, customizable buttons, average sized, easy to read display
Cons: battery life, additional customization is tedious

My TV came with a "universal" device-based remote, but it never was able to do everything I needed it to.. and the things it could do took several button-strokes to accomplish them. So, I picked up a Harmony 659 about a year ago and love it. The ...

Pros: simple operation; easy setup
Cons: setup requires access to their website

Don Norman, the (famous) cognitive scientist and advocate of user-centric product design and author of The Design of Everyday Things and Emotional Design, wrote an essay on his website about the Harmony Remote. He describes a programmable remote control ...

Pros: Internet programmability. Ease of use. Great feel. I can use it with my eyes closed.
Cons: Quick battery drainage.

Love it, love it, love it. It replaced MANY remotes that used to take up valuable couch space including my: DVD Remote Cable Remote Stereo Remote CD Remote TV Remote Well, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. But honestly, this ...

Pros: Easy setup very easy to use great help feature intuitive interface design
Cons: Requires USB 2.0, not mentioned Doesn't appear to control multiple Sony CD Jukeboxes

Universal remotes are seldom universal. But this one really is 'universal'! I've updated this review at the request of some readers, I hope the additional info is more helpful. I bought my first trainable remote in 1991, by Pioneer. It was a ...

Pros: It does everything it promises.
Cons: The initial account set-up is a bit confusing.

I brought it home to a reception of "Have you lost your mind?". I proceeded to log on to the website and pessimistically enter my Panasonic TV, Denon DVD, Sony VCR and Yamaha Home Theater receiver. I was expecting troubles but once I waded through the ...

Pros: An absolute pleasure to own. Need another for the spouse.
Cons: Can't think of anything that could have been done better.

What a pleasure to purchase something that really lives up to its reputation! Among the mass of accumulated remotes over the years with their various learning curves and limited capabilities, it is a real pleasure to own this unit. Although somewhat ...

Pros: with determination and luck you can do almost anything with this device.
Cons: web setup quirky,doesn't work smoothly. not as easy as the ads say to setup

takes patience and lots of trial and error to set up properly with the web based setup. the software and setup seems like it needs to be fine tuned. this is replacing my marantz rc2000. it was and is a great remote but it is way to bulky, and the ...

Pros: Easy to use and well backlit
Cons: A bit complicated to set up - - need to use internet

As previously reported, my wife and I are setting up a "study". In other words, an extra room created when our son moved out(into his own home)! With multiple TVs, VCRs, DVD Players, radios, CD players, etc. throughout the house we were surprised ...

Pros: Simple to use for simple tasks.
Cons: No macros. Entries on the LCD screen cannot be ordered. Watch out for warranty policy.

Not a bad remote if you want to control only basic activity from your equipment. It's pretty straightforward to set up for simple tasks, like turning needed equipment on and off. I think that's about it... the rest is either quite cumbersome or ...

Pros: Holds down stack a paper on my desk.
Cons: Channel and volume buttons stick.

I've had this remote for a little over 1 year and the channel and volume buttons are now sticking. This appears to be a known defect with the remote based on an internet search but Logitech will only fix it if I pay them. After spending over $100.00 for a remote control I'm not giving them another dime.

Pros: Made me realize the value of cheap remotes that you program .
Cons: Slow internet connection, poor support, doesn't do the job.

I bought the Harmony 659 and programed it over the very very slow web site only to find out it will not turn on my Sony CD player which I do not have the original remote for. Called the telephone support only to get someone in very broken English tell me to call Sony to get the HEX codes from them, called Sony and they told me Logitech should have them and do not release them to the public. Emailed Logitech support but no answer, so I have gone full circle except for going back to the store to get my money back. I can save you a trip, do not buy this unit.

Pros: Very easy to use, just push a button!!
Cons: Little confusing to set up but not impossible.

I had 5 remotes and now I have 1!!! I was able to connect to the web site and found all of my devices, even some that I have had for years.

Pros: Ease of use.
Cons: Using a web site that doesn't work for programming.

I absolutely love this remote, and my wife is ecstatic that she does not have to figure out which remote does what.

BUT...

While I was able to get very basic programming done, I can not get back on to the website to continue the programming, thus making it more useful as a fire poker.
I would have been better off hiring a quadriplegic to change channels and the volume for me. At least they could have used their nose.

It all boils down to the website is absolutely required to program the remote, and the website does not exist due to continuous server problems.

Logitech, how about an option to program the remote locally???

Pros: Easy set up, intuitive, does it all
Cons: none

I tried every remote known to man. The Kameleon from one-for-all was good, but it ate batteries so quickly I had to return it. It's unbelievable, but no other high manufacturers of universal remotes take into consideration that most people with a decent home theater system run audio through their receivers---NOT THE TV.

The Harmony does it all with easy set up, great customer support if you need it, and it's all done via USB cable through the Harmony website. No macros to set up.

Don't waste your time on anything other that this remote if you have a decent component set up. I've got HDTV and DVD recorder, and this handles every single function in a way your wife can even operate.

Pros: Conceptually a great unit - attractively organized remote
Cons: Vulnerability to static shocks in question.

Following the Quick Start instructions, upon installing the batteries, the remote's interactive screen read "Disconnect the USB Cable and Reinstall the batteries." The only problem was that I had not connected the USB cable with my computer yet. After reinstalling the batteries, the message remained. After continuing with the instructions, it became apparent that it was time for me to call Harmony's tech team who quickly diagnosed a major problem - the unit's electrical circuits had been zapped sometime prior to my receiving it. Harmony issued me a return number and since they're located in Toronto, Canada, Canada Post's XpressMail will be sending me a replacement...by pony not-so-express.

As a result of all this, I'm not so sure how prone these units are to static electrical charges. Obviously I received one that was very prone.

Pros: Really does control a wide variety of devices seamlessly. Nice blue backlight feature.
Cons: The website is a bit cumbersome.

Thinking about buying this remote? DO IT! NOW! In fact, if it weren't for the steep price, every household in the world that has a television, a satellite receiver and a DVD player would own this remote! It really does work as well as advertised. Every piece of audio and video gear I have fired up the first time I used the remote.

The only downside is that I wish the website was just a bit easier to navigate - especially if you want to review the settings for an individual piece of equipment. It is just a bit cumbersome when trying to figure out how to revise some of the settings.

Other than that, I can highly recommend this remote for anyone tired of either having 10 remotes sitting around or using a universal remote and having to figure out how to change the channel without messing up a setting on another piece of equipment.

Pros: none
Cons: You have to update over the web.

Logitech's support is terrible and their website is always down and not working. This is the most frustrating product I have ever bought.

Pros: easy to use, easy to set up, easy to hold
Cons: none so far

This remote has simplified my home theater to a 1 button solution for controlling all of my toys. I was really looking at the Pronto but decided I would spend too much time playing with it instead of using it. The Harmony remote:
- is easily programmable via the web and USB,
- learns from its mistakes,
- can have lots of custom buttons assigned
- has a great back light that shows all buttons and screen text
- allows me to see tv listings on the remote without having to bring up my cable guide
- stores my favorites in the remote
- turns everything on, configures inputs, and sets channel with a single button
- is light weight
- is inexpensive compared to many other remotes
- is energy efficient - good battery life even when using back light
- is capable of controlling many different devices

Pros: Extremely easy to use! You just need model numbers for TV, stereo, etc.
Cons: Might have to contact technical support to tweak the remote.

Like many others, I have separate remote controls for my television, VCR/DVD, stereo receiver/amplifier, and CD player. Watching a movie involved turning on the TV, then turning on the VCR/DVD, then turning on the stereo, which meant juggling with three of the four remotes!

Now, I just hit the "watch a movie" button, and the TV turns on and sets itself to Channel 3 AND mutes, the stereo turns on set to VCR1, and the VCR is turned on.

It's a similar experience when I want to "listen to music." I simply hit the ONE button, then my stereo receiver/amplifier turns on, my CD player turns on...well, you get the idea.

I contacted technical support so I could tweak the remote even further, and couldn't help but "ooohhh" and "ahhhh" and rave about how convenient this particular remote control is! It doesn't end world hunger or promote world peace (as far as I can tell at this point), but it is definitely one of the COOLEST products on the planet!

Pros: Complete control of almost everything, price, size is perfect! The "help" button feature.
Cons: Without internet connectivity its useless.

I recently picked this unit up to replace an aging Harman Kardon universal touch screen remote. I have had several over the past few years but never found exactly what I needed. Right out of the box this unit is impressive! The manual is well written and the software installs without a hitch. The remote is professionally packaged and nestled inside a slick velvety cradle.

It utilizes the USB interface so connectivity is a snap. The software and website make programming a no brainer. It takes just under half of an hour to view the tutorial and get the unit up and running. I have an RCA DirecTV receiver, Scientific Atlanta digital cable box,Panasonic DVD Player, Harman Kardon AV receiver, and a Panasonic HD Monitor. The website recognized all of the model numbers and no real "learning" was necessary from the remote.

I would highly recommend this unit to anyone that has several AV components that need to be integrated into one highly useful and functional remote.

Pros: Not many to speak of - good concept from Logitech that didn't materialize.
Cons: Save your money & buy the Sony RM-VL600!

I read so many reviews & was in need of a new remote.  This remote received so many good reviews, that I thought it sounded promising.  According to the instructions, all that you do is plug in the remote to the USB port of your computer and input your devices.  Boy, was I in for a surprise!  Even though I'm a tech-saavy guy, I spent 2 nights configuring this remote. 

The problems that I experienced were simple to resolve, yet took waaayyyy to long to fix with the subpar Logitech software.  The main issue focused around getting the wrong input selection on my AV receiver.  For example if you used Video2 for your TV and Video1 for your DVD, the software & remote wasn't smart enough to figure that out!  The software walked you around the heart of the problem...

Pros: Versatile, ergonomic, powerful, totally customizable, and intelligent
Cons: It's expensive, the transport buttons are at the very bottom, kind of awkward to use.

Ok, I love this remote. I tried a few others before buying my Harmony SST-659, namely the One For All Kameleon, and the One For All 9910 with rf transmitter. Both failed my litmus tests. My big gripe with both, although they have a 'home theatre' option where the transport buttons work the DVD, and the volume works the receiver and the like, was that they were not configurable in the least. This thing is like gold, you can have it do anything you want, in any configuration you want. It even has soft buttons which you can assign functions to via the LCD screen, something I was very interested in. It does everything I need it to, and more, and I'm in love with it. I cannot recommend this remote any more strongly.

Pros: Easy to use. Cool backlit keys. TV Listings on Remote. Operates everything infrared.
Cons: Price. Little "plasticky" buttons. Need to be computer knowledgeable to program.

I picked up this remote from my local F.S. The salesperson gave a good explanation of the product.

Setup of the remote took about 45 minutes to get all of my HT devices organized. A person wouldn't want to be computer phobic though, as some comfort with the web interface helps to get things set up quickly.

The remote delivers on its "activity" promise. The "Watch TV" button fires up the tv, receiver and sat box, and then to watch a movie the "Watch a Movie" button makes the transition seamless. Definitely a "house guest" friendly remote.

Synchronizing the tv listings is a cool feature. I programmed it to show only the HD listings from my provider right on the remote control.

The downfall for me was the price. At 199.99 (CAN) the price was too steep to justify keeping it just to save 5 seconds a couple times each day.

Pros: Software
Cons: Reliability and batteries

I have the SST 659 to run my home theater setup. Since the first battery replacement the inferior quality of the battery compartment components has been a hassle. It frequently loses its power, even after having new batteries inserted and the cover taped securely shut - necessary since the very small plastic tab to hold the cover broke the first time the unit was opened. The great software and operations is overcome by the hassle with the power problem. For what this remote cost, it is a shame that the power components aren't up to the standards of a $10 Best Buy cheapie.

Pros: I got frustrated with the Harmony 659 and returned it before I found any pros.
Cons: The Harmony 659 is incompatible home theater setups that don't match a template.

I bought the Logitech Harmony 659 to control my XBox, Playstation 2, and Olevia LT42HVi television. It performed poorly, so I returned it.

Notable things about the Harmony 659 are:

1. The tab on the battery cover will break.

2. The Harmony 659 is large, clumsy, and the smaller buttons are difficult to press.

3. It is difficult to program the Harmony 659 to do simple things like "just turn off the XBox" or "just turn off the Playstation 2". The Harmony 659 design tries to pidgeon-hole your home theatre into pre-defined "tasks", and it operates poorly if your setup doesn't fit a template.

4. You must connect to the Logitech web site to program the Harmony 659, which is frustratingly slow.

5. The Harmony 659 programmer is wizard that hides most of the advanced features of the remote control. If you don't have a home theater that fits the template, then you need more than an hour to learn the software.

6. The button definitions for the XBox and Playstation 2 are bad. For example, the arrow keys on the Harmony 659 are not programmed to be the arrow keys on the XBox or PS2 remote.

Pros: Does EVERYTHING a universal remote should--the "original" ones are now in a drawer!
Cons: Does't prepare margaritas and quesadillas to accompany watching TV.

This is the FIRST time I've been so impressed with a product that I've gone to Epinions specifically to add my evaluation.

This is not the first remote I've purchased. Every couple of years I would buy a "universal" remote, try setting it up, and end up returning it because it didn't work.

THIS universal remote is phenomenal! It arrived yesterday, and within an hour I had it up and running. (OK, it took longer because I had to find a mirror in order to read the the model numbers on some components in a heavy cabinet.)

This remote does exactly what it's supposed to, Considering that my components are all ten years old or older, I was concerned that they might be "too old" to be in the Harmony dataset--but no problem, they work great.