After using a Philips Pronto TS-1000 [samsungpronto, pronto1000] touch-screen remote for about 5 years, I decided to look at upgrading to a more modern universal remote. This time, I decided to look at a remote with mostly hard-buttons instead of a touch-screen, and all roads lead to the Logitech Harmony series.
Although there are several Logitech Harmony models, serious home theater geeks need only look at two models: the 550 (and it's clone, the Harmony for XBOX360), and the 880 . When you look closely, you'll see that both remotes function identically, with these exceptions:
The 880 has a color activities screen with 8 buttons, the 550 has a monochrome screen with 4 buttons, but both allow multiple activities pages
The 880 is rechargeable and docks in an included recharging cradle, the 550 uses 4 AAA batteries (included)
The remotes are shaped differently
The 550 is (usually) half the price of the 880
With a sale price and coupon at Best Buy, it was a no-brainer; I bought the 550. Overall, I really like the remote, and I'm glad I bought it. I love that it seems to have a hard-button for just about everything - it feels like the device was custom-made for my equipment. I'm anxious to see how the batteries last. My Pronto would eat 4 batteries every 6-8 weeks.
Some notes:
The configuration is done on your PC via a wizard-style Java program that downloads configuration data from Logitech in real-time. As everyone but Logitech knows, Java on Windows is pitifully slow, and combined with the constant internet activity in the app, the programming process can be tedious. However, I would call it almost foolproof - it nailed all of my devices and activities without any issues, even rare-ish devices like the Acurus ACT-3 Preamp and Inday Component Selector.
Tip: after programming your remote, close the software then look in your system tray. For some reason, Logitech leaves a little tray app for the remote software running all the time. Click on it to close it, and also remove it from your Startup menu.
The remote is somewhat slow. There is a slight but noticeable delay between pressing buttons and getting responses from equipment. Note that you can adjust the command latency for each device in 100ms increments, but I can't seem to make things like cable guide navigation work faster.
The volume and channel buttons are thin, small, and non-tactile, which means you occasionally need to look at the remote to see if you are pressing the right button. I'll bet the 880 is more intuitive for no-look operations.
No matter what I try, the volume buttons always force a 3-step increment or decrement in the volume on the ACT-3. I can't notch the volume up or down by "1".
All minor quibbles for a very nice universal remote.
![[B000EUGX70]](http://www.mikeyp.com/css/external.gif)
(and it's clone, the Harmony for XBOX360), and the 880 
