Logitech Harmony® 659 LCD Remote Control

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.