Logitech Harmony One Remote Control Review

Slashdot It!

by Clint DeBoer — last modified September 21, 2008

Logitech Harmony One Remote Control

Summary

Product Name: Harmony One Universal Remote
Manufacturer: Logitech
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: September 21, 2008 22:40
MSRP: $ 249.99

Specifications

System Requirements

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista (PC); Mac OS X 10.3 or later (Mac)
USB port
CD-ROM drive
Internet access

Package Contents

Harmony One remote control
Charging station
USB cable
AC adapter
Lithium-ion battery
Installation CD
Installation guide
1-year limited hardware warranty

Pros

Beautiful look and feel
Nice, tactile button response
Rechargeable with replaceable Li-ion battery

Cons

Finicky touch screen
Programming interface has received only cosmetic updates since inception
No RF features or options
Almost no icon choices for LCD screens
Pricey

Introduction

When a new Logitech Harmony Remote arrives on the scene I like to review it to update readers on the latest models in the line-up. With the introduction of the Harmony One universal remote I felt that Logitech had finally completely usurped the original Harmony design and replaced it with a "from the ground up" approach that reflected Logitech's penchant for svelte devices. In case you were still navigating through that last bit of pontifical text, I was giving them a high compliment. Logitech's Harmony One remote is quite possibly the most beautiful remote control I've ever held.

Recent Forum Posts:

Read the Complete Thread

Post Reply

Adam posts on September 27, 2008 12:46

For those who are interested in this remote, I just saw that Dell has is for $150 [dealnews.com]. From reading this thread, there's definitely mixed feelings from people on whether it's good or not, but I figured that I'd put this up for those who were going to buy it anyway.

jostenmeat posts on September 23, 2008 15:55

I'm a former Harmony user who has recently converted to the URC fan club.

Cheaper and better. Both.

Last I saw, the RF-20 + blaster combo was $75. This is RF, and I predict that I will never go back to IR-only.

My audioholics review [forums.audioholics.com]

10010011 posts on September 23, 2008 11:12

FirstReflection;460091
You definitely need to look down at the remote to make sure you hit the correct touch screen button, so for a future model, I would love for there to be some sort of physical indicator - such as a very slight ridge between each of the buttons. Just enough to give a physical indication of where each button lies on the touch screen.

This has to be the part I hated the most about my Harmony.

I do not want to look at the remote, I want to look at the screen. I can pick up any of my other remotes and simply by touch do all the basic commands I use most often. But not the Harmony, I was always having to look at it and make sure it was in the right "activity", make sure I was hitting the right "button". I think I spent more time looking at that damn remote in an evening then I spent looking at my TV

GlocksRock posts on September 23, 2008 09:09

To get the channel icons I just went to google images and put in the name of the channel I wanted, saved the picture, then resized it. It took a little bit of time, but I got exactly what I was looking for.

Jacksmyname posts on September 23, 2008 07:21

TRT;460249
Well I'm going to have to dissagree with you on the icons.

http://www.iconharmony.com/icons/ [iconharmony.com]

I have a beautiful icon for each of my favorites and they work perfectly. From a cost standpoint. $199.99 street price at BB? Costly? Maybe if compared to a throw away, but not a Crestron or AMX. Even D*TV wants 35 bucks for a replacement remote. Control 4? URC? Unless every universal remote is overpriced, the Harmony One should at the very least be considered as competitive. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for posting this, TRT. I meant to also but forgot.
Hundreds of beautiful icons on this site. This user is a graphic designer, and he took requests for which ones people wanted.
Anyone with a One looking for favorites icons, by all means check them out.