We know, January wasn't
that long ago, but in consumer electronics years, it's been forever since a new
Harmony was revealed. For those of you already on the hunt for a sub-$100 gizmo to give to your favorite person this holiday season, Logitech is jonesing for your business with its entry-level Harmony 510 universal remote. You should know, however, that the IR remote operates just five devices (remember the "entry-level" bit we mentioned?), though it does boast an inbuilt LCD and a fair amount of buttons. Harmony freaks have already pointed out that this one looks almost like a repackaged 550, though your technology-challenged sibling / parent / colleague probably won't take the time to notice. Get those stockings stuffed early for $99.99 (MSRP) a pop.
[Via
CNET]
posted Oct 6th 2008 2:15PM
Yeah, I have a Harmony 550 for about a year now and this thing looks just like it ... um, whats the difference?
this one says 510... that's it...
If you had bothered to read the blog entry...
"You should know, however, that the IR remote operates just five devices (remember the "entry-level" bit we mentioned?)"
Or you could just buy the Xbox360 version for the same price as this new one, but control 11 devices.
Keep your 550, does more devices and is currently 79 at Best Buy whereas this 510 is at Best Buy on the same shelf for 99
Agree, if you do some hunting, you can get the superior 550 for $60 online. I do like the silver and black look of this one, but other than that the 550 wins. It also looks like the blue backlight of the 550's LCD wins over the green LCD on this one.
This looks cheaper, doesn't have the blue backlight, only supports 5 devices, etc. To anyone considering a new remote, the 550 is excellent and only $25 more than this one. It has a very nice feel, it's slick and glossy, supports a dozen devices, and is a great deal. If you can afford it, the Harmony "One" is even better with a full color touch screen.
Furthermore, WTF: There are no dedicated buttons for selecting the active device. You have to pull up a list and then iterate through it to pick a device every time you want to change what you're controlling?
STUPID.
This is like the receivers that have no dedicated buttons for what you want to listen to, so you have to turn a dial and read every entry in a list until you find the input you want.
I have both the 1000, and the 550. The 1000 is buggy thanks to outsourcing up the wassu, but the 550 is just awesome for the price. Honestly, I like the 550 more then any of the other remotes in between the ones I have. Its small, simple, looks nice and works. I'm not sure what the deal with this refresh is, but I think it looks worse.
Looks just like the 550, but they added the Red/Green/Yellow/Blue buttons, which is a GREAT idea.
Hmm. It looks *exactly* like my Harmony 525. Except it's silver on black instead of black on silver.
It's exactly the same (well slightly different colours) but they've crippled this one by only letting you control 5 devices.
bit steep at $99.99 whats so special about it? it only controls 5 devices :S
The ESPN remote with Colour-screen, WiFi, E-Mail client, web-borwser..... also costs the same !!!
The espn remote is 300$. How is that the same as 99$?
I don't think this looks even remotely like the 550.
What do you mean? Everything is exactly the same, down to every button. The only difference is the color scheme.
http://www.logitech.com/repository/148/jpg/825.1.0.jpg
If that was a pun, then you win
Thanks trimbandit, at least you got it.
It's such a chore to make people understand jokes these days...
I'm terrible at catching puns unless they're painfully obvious, I admit it. Sarcasm is more my department.
Too bad they crippled it by limiting devices at 5 at the same time adding the color buttons. I've got 5 of the XBOX versions and it definitely still is the pick of the litter.
I hate the 500 series, button placement is horrible. Make a cheaper version of the "One"!
remotely... i get it
Why not just get the XBox remote they make for the same price and operate 12 devices? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7573217&st=xbox+remote&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1129786057169
Even better, DONT get it at bestbuy!
Or better, why not get the Sony RM-AX1400 for $15 (shipping included) at Amazon? It's a geek's dream and controls 10 devices.
It only supports 8
@noyp
Yep, sorry. I was thinking about the European version (RM-VL1400T) which actually supports up to 10. However, I suggest you take a look anyway because it is so flexible (e.g., single buttons can each have four commands assigned to them) that you may never need more.
I think the software for setting up the decide SUCKS... i love the idea of the harmony itself, but it only "basically" sets it up... if you want to do some funky setups and adjustments, its more hassle than its worth... They really need to go back to the software that originally came with it a couple years back... with all the firmware updates of course :-)
Well, it's still better than the way I had to set up my remotes before...
# # 9 1 2 3 8 # # 4 8
Damn!
# # 9 1 2 3 8 # # 4 9
Heck yeah Rocket... I guess its one of those "Im feelin pretty nice, but i could use one more drink" scenarios... With about 5 components, pushing a bunchh of Learn commands blows...
Silver 895 ftw
I'm sorry but I can't see paying even $50 for a remote control, never mind $100. Am I the only one out there who feels that way?
Yes.
Ralph, probably you haven't seen on in action. The very thought of having more than one remote for my tv, blu ray, xbox, xbox 360, dvd player, tivo sky, av receiver, light controller, fan, etc is an anathema to me. Jesus there are $500 remotes that aren't as good. The idea of pressing a button that says "Watch TV" is genius becuase it is so simple. Just the fact of "remembering" what state your kit is in is so useful.
Considering you can sometimes find the Harmony 550 on Amazon and TigerDirect for $50, this remote is moot.
Why pay $99 and be limited to 5 devices when you can get a 550 for around $60 online?
$50 if you're a smart shopper.
I'm glad I can control up to 15 devices. :P
Ralph: until you've used one and realized it really can replace all your other remotes $99 is reasonable.
Except that the 550 isn't limited to 5 devices, has a blue backlit display (not ugly celery green), has more buttons, and is only $49.
This remote is a step back from the awesome 550.
> ...and a fair amount of buttons.
That should be "... and a fair number of buttons."
Super-lame. Only 5 devices!
Not bad still prefer a color screen
Why can't they release one with bluetooth function! They already released a mini Dinovo for PS3 so why not release a remote that can control PS3 too... wonder what type of patent is holding Logitech from making them or if Sony won't let them do it...
The Xbox 360 version of the Harmony supports up to 15 devices, has more (programmable) buttons and is the same price. Why would anyone buy this one?
I went looking at the XBOX360 is 11+the Xbox
Right now I am after the 550, or the DVR version online for about $50 for the 550 or $65 for the 670(dvr) both of those run 15 total
(550=15/ 670=14+TIVO)
If one HAD to choose.. which one of those two?
Harmony make a remote with bluetooth please!
/stupid ps3 has no IR port
//stupid ps3 remote has no backlight and I dont need another remote dammit
If you really want to use a harmony remote on the PS3, you could always buy an ir2bt and be done with it. I have one and it works perfectly.
But whoever decided to not put an IR port on the PS3 should be beaten to death with his own legs.
lol, that was a dumb idea, the crazy part is that someone got paid alot of money to make that decision to not have ir on the ps3
@Nacho problem with ir2bt is that they're usually unavailable. I haven't seen them available for some time. And a recent fw update broke something; AFAIK it was corrected but took a while.
I like the programability of the logitech harmony remotes - build quality has been an issue though - poor base station charging, bad paint jobs (chips and wears out easily), busted buttons /wear out.
I got a new harmony one - which is very nice but I miss the rubber buttons. I also think they might want to check what the most used buttons are as I'm much more likely to ffwd or pause on my DVDs than to select a chapter or something from the menu using the cursor - but I may be unique in that so I can't say if everyone would feel the same.
I have the Harmony 550 and it's a GREAT product. In fact, i have TWO of them. The only thing i don't like is the blue backlight. The LCD screen is VERY hard to read, and the blue backlighting only makes it worse.
The 510 looks like they've taken the 500 and added a few buttons to the bottom row. The 550 has a dedicated Mute and Prev button, which i quite like. Still, i don't see why anyone would get a 510 when there are still 550s available for less.
This 5 device remote is cheaper:
http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=2629196
However I am in love with my "Universal Mosaic Touch Screen Remote Control".
http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=1001
I paid $35.00 each for 3 of them. I wish I could find more of them. They control 15 devices, and supports scripts... So I can push one button and my TV inputs are changed, my Receiver is turned on and the proper input set... So I can watch a movie, play Wii or Xbox, look at my PVR... And a single button push and it is back to watching Cable TV!
And there is no guessing what each button does, it is clear as day, and easily relabeled!
Spend $50 on the 550 or if you want to drop $100 find a deal for the 880. I've had both. The 880 is so much easier to use (primarily due to the screen).
$100 for this thing is WAY too much cash.
Strange!
The order of the color buttons (R, G, Y, B) follows DirecTV order. Cable, with 70% of the market has long used Yellow, Blue, Red (now adding Green for Tru2way).
Yet, Blu-ray remotes have this color button's order: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow.
So, why Harmony chose DirecTV's order?
I wouldn't recommend buying any of the aforementioned Logitech remotes. All the models listed above have problems with the buttons being worn out. I have had the xbox 360 version for about a year now and I can't read what any of the rubber buttons at the bottom say anymore.
The LCD screen has dust in between the screen and the screen's cover.
Spend your money elsewhere. That model isn't worth $100 to have it be worn out in a year.
As a multiple-harmony owner, I'd recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting the Harmony One. The display is much better and the ergonomics too. There have been some good deals on them lately. Most recently, I saw one featured on TechDealDigger for $149 - http://www.techdealdigger.com/deals/logitech-harmony-one-149-at-dell-home--home-office/4389
So...is there a universal remote that will also run the PS3 via bluetooth? If so, I'd be interested in such a product...
Michael, not sure why you are having problems. I've had the 360 harmony remote for 2 years and buttons and screen look just fine.
Gotta hand it to Logitech... great marketing ... half the features ... twice the price (compared to the 550).
www.woot.com
WOW it is actually kind of sort of comparable at only $5, but it's ugly and has no lcd compared to this.
I just saw one of these clearanced at my Target in Brighton, MI for $49. I was very confused...
Is this a deal for the gullible? Or just people with too much money?
I bought a Logitech 690 two years ago for $34. ok...that was ebay, but if you are patient, you can find a brand new 690 frequently for $59. So $99 for a newer version of an inferior remote?
Hey Logitech!! How about a Harmony with Bluetooth?? Maybe spend some time on that, no? My coffee table is straining under the pressure of holding up a Harmony AND my PS3 remote.
pcrichard.com always has the Harmony 550 for $49.
Same price in their store also.
Kinda makes this remote pointless.
I own a Harmony, and I have to say it is one of the worst purchases I've ever made. Navigating the menus is a mother and the functionality is not practical at all.
I'm WannabeActuary from the logitech forums. My understanding is that the 510 is the eventual replacement to the 500 series remotes and the 360 version of the remote. Logitech is probably looking to consolidate/update/refresh remotes a bit. The One replaced the 880 back in January, even though you can still find the 880. Given the relationship between the 880 and the 890, it doesn't take a genius to figure an 890 replacement is in the works. The 510 is meant to replace the current 500 series and the 360 remote. The current 600 series is a major bargain at Costco right now, so I would speculate they're clearing stock to refresh the 600 series and put it on the same platform as the other remotes. The current 600 series does not work on the java platform that the other remotes have already moved to. And of course, the 1000 has been buggy from day one, so one may suspect something there as well.
For the record, I've owned an 880 since Nov. 05, a One since Jan. 08, an 890 (with extender) and a 510 for about a month.
I bought one of these at Best Buy (except mine is philips... they look identical as far as I can tell). I like it alot. I replaced my crappy comcast remote that is broken after a year of use. This logitech B&W remote seems overpriced.
http://www.x10.com/ir10a_logitech_killer_email7.htm