Logitech quietly launches $99 Harmony 510 universal remote

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]

[Konstantin @ Oct 6th 2008 2:21PM]

Yeah, I have a Harmony 550 for about a year now and this thing looks just like it ... um, whats the difference?

[StalematE @ Oct 6th 2008 2:29PM]

this one says 510... that's it...

[tuna @ Oct 6th 2008 2:38PM]

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?)"

[theBibb @ Oct 6th 2008 4:27PM]

Or you could just buy the Xbox360 version for the same price as this new one, but control 11 devices.

[ericdj @ Oct 6th 2008 3:45PM]

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

[Loban @ Oct 6th 2008 5:14PM]

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.

[loosely_coupled @ Oct 6th 2008 5:33PM]

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.

[Information Central @ Oct 6th 2008 9:41PM]

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.

[Mr. S. @ Oct 7th 2008 3:56AM]

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.

[TrentD @ Oct 6th 2008 2:24PM]

Looks just like the 550, but they added the Red/Green/Yellow/Blue buttons, which is a GREAT idea.

[retepv @ Oct 6th 2008 4:24PM]

Hmm. It looks *exactly* like my Harmony 525. Except it's silver on black instead of black on silver.

[Richard @ Oct 6th 2008 2:27PM]

It's exactly the same (well slightly different colours) but they've crippled this one by only letting you control 5 devices.

[will @ Oct 6th 2008 2:27PM]

bit steep at $99.99 whats so special about it? it only controls 5 devices :S

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 6th 2008 11:26PM]

The ESPN remote with Colour-screen, WiFi, E-Mail client, web-borwser..... also costs the same !!!

[david @ Oct 7th 2008 11:31AM]

The espn remote is 300$. How is that the same as 99$?

[monkfishbandana @ Oct 6th 2008 2:27PM]

I don't think this looks even remotely like the 550.

[Reader @ Oct 6th 2008 2:54PM]

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

[trimbandit @ Oct 6th 2008 3:40PM]

If that was a pun, then you win

[monkfishbandana @ Oct 6th 2008 3:51PM]

Thanks trimbandit, at least you got it.

It's such a chore to make people understand jokes these days...

[Reader @ Oct 6th 2008 6:09PM]

I'm terrible at catching puns unless they're painfully obvious, I admit it. Sarcasm is more my department.

[RehabMan @ Oct 6th 2008 2:27PM]

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.

[Scott @ Oct 6th 2008 2:30PM]

I hate the 500 series, button placement is horrible. Make a cheaper version of the "One"!

[StalematE @ Oct 6th 2008 2:30PM]

remotely... i get it

[Jeremy Hill @ Oct 6th 2008 2:30PM]

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

[rock99rock @ Oct 6th 2008 2:49PM]

Even better, DONT get it at bestbuy!

[giuliop @ Oct 6th 2008 4:43PM]

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.

[noyp @ Oct 6th 2008 10:03PM]

It only supports 8

[giuliop @ Oct 7th 2008 10:10AM]

@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.

[andyg8180 @ Oct 6th 2008 2:36PM]

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 :-)

[Rocketboy @ Oct 6th 2008 3:08PM]

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

[andyg8180 @ Oct 6th 2008 3:50PM]

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...

[Spanky @ Oct 6th 2008 2:37PM]

Silver 895 ftw

[Ralph @ Oct 6th 2008 2:39PM]

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?

[rock99rock @ Oct 6th 2008 2:50PM]

Yes.

[Simon @ Oct 6th 2008 2:59PM]

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.

[Ignatius @ Oct 6th 2008 3:23PM]

Considering you can sometimes find the Harmony 550 on Amazon and TigerDirect for $50, this remote is moot.

[tuna @ Oct 6th 2008 2:40PM]

Why pay $99 and be limited to 5 devices when you can get a 550 for around $60 online?

[Ignatius @ Oct 6th 2008 4:03PM]

$50 if you're a smart shopper.

I'm glad I can control up to 15 devices. :P

[Fant @ Oct 6th 2008 2:51PM]

Ralph: until you've used one and realized it really can replace all your other remotes $99 is reasonable.

[mykie @ Oct 6th 2008 3:34PM]

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.

[Jonno @ Oct 6th 2008 2:59PM]

> ...and a fair amount of buttons.

That should be "... and a fair number of buttons."

[TrueDis @ Oct 6th 2008 2:59PM]

Super-lame. Only 5 devices!

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 6th 2008 2:59PM]

Not bad still prefer a color screen

[Christian @ Oct 6th 2008 3:02PM]

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...

[Doug @ Oct 6th 2008 3:03PM]

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?

[ssrat_ @ Oct 7th 2008 7:04PM]

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?

[Stompntom @ Oct 6th 2008 3:04PM]

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

[Nacho @ Oct 6th 2008 3:17PM]

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.

[sithlord 24 @ Oct 6th 2008 3:24PM]

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

[h0mi @ Oct 6th 2008 4:36PM]

@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.