Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote 996-000002 - Refurbished

II can't express how much I like this remote. I suppose you could pick a few nits, but overall value and functionality are outstanding. I recently purchased a new HDTV to replace my Diamond Series Mitsubishi and greatly missed the HAVI capabilities of that set. I added Blu-ray at the same time and none of the "universal" remotes could handle even basic functions for all devices. Now with the Harmony 890 I truly have a single "does all" remote. Not only basic functions, but EVERY function of every device. Also the ability to place any function from any device you like to appear as one of the eight soft buttons makes this the most friendly remote I've ever seen. To top it all off, the included RF extender allows me to finally not have to hold the remote high in the air to go over the coffee table that would block line of sight IR signals. Even then, if a pet or person was sitting on the floor in front of the AV equipment, the IR signal could be blocked. Now I don't even have to be in the same room. The only suggestions I can imagine to make it any better would be to allow for specific soft key locating of activities at any of the 8 locations. As it is the software places them top to bottom, left to right. If you have less than 8 activities, you will have unused spaces at the bottom of the screen. Holding the remote in my right hand, I would prefer to locate the most common activities at the lower right side of the screen to allow for easier one finger operation. This is very minor though and I can for the first time actually put the other remotes away. With a built in rechargable (and replaceable) battery and charging cradle, this is the most convenient remote I've ever seen. And, to top it all off, the price on Buy.com was less than I had recently paid for a Harmony 670 at Fry's! I moved the 670 to the bedroom where the obstruction wasn't an issue. One other "oddity" that I found while setting up the two remotes is that I had to create two different accounts on the Logitech web interface for the two different profiles. I think it would be better if you could set up as many profiles as required with one account. There is not charge for the accounts, but just seems a bit odd. The are minor "nits" though and I can't recommend this remote any higher! I think it will even be useable by my in-laws who struggle with the "remote maze" I had before. Push one button and all is done! Press the off button when done and everything is turned off!
 
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I got a great deal on refurb unit. I have stereo components in one room that I use RF and my entertainment center (tv and surround system) that I use the IR for. It does take some tweaking to get the settings right and I found out from a friend about using the 'generic' activities to set up a more wider range of functions. If you can hook up cables for your tv and entertainment center, you should have no problem setting this up ; it just may take a few weeks of use to find out what you want it to do for you. If you have a PS3, you will need a separate remote that uses RF and program your Harmony to 'talk' to that remote. PS3 is bluetooth only.
 
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This remote does it all. As advertised, it turns on a set group of devices and coordinates inputs and outputs for them. It really works well. On the downside, it does take a time to get set up and programed. After it is programmed, it still takes some tweaken to make it work correctly.
 
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