Product Description

A good universal remote may control an entire home entertainment system, but more often than not, it also looks like the instrument panel of the space shuttle, with dozens of intimidating and confusing keys. Enter the Logitech Harmony 659 remote, which is not only simple to program and use, but also consolidates a user's preferences for watching TV, viewing movies, or listening to music into three clearly labeled buttons. Simply press the Watch a Movie, Watch TV, or Listen to Music button to activate all the appropriate equipment--including surround sound components--and the remote does the rest. The device will automatically switch to your favorite settings for each component, while offering you a host of customized controls on its interactive LCD screen. It's called Smart State Technology, and it puts you and your family back in control of your home theater system. The Harmony 659 is compatible with everything from surround sound systems to satellite and digital cable boxes to DVD players. As a further enticement, Logitech includes two free months of TV listings. For the computer setup to work properly, users will need to own USB-equipped computers running Windows 98 SE, 2000, Me, or XP or Macintosh OS X 10.2 or later.

Product Details

• Brand: Logitech
• Model: H-659
• Dimensions: .85 pounds

Features

• Press the button representing an activity;for example, watching a DVD;and the remote performs all the required steps
• Backlit controls and LCD display: Navigate your entertainment without having to bring up the house lights.
• Learning port: "Capture" infrared commands from your original remotes by just pointing them at the Harmony remote's learning port.
• Simple setup wizard: Connect the Harmony® remote to your computer and let the wizard guide you through initial setup.
• Help button: Never get stuck again with a handy Help button that walks you through troubleshooting.

Customer Reviews

If you're a geek, this is twice as cool
First off - I have to admit I'm a geek. But even if you're not, but have some level of comfort with using the classic 'wizard' approach of Windows - then this (or any of the Harmony series) is the remote for you.

Setup is a breeze. Put in the batteries, toss in the CD and follow the step by step directions. Using the 'wizard' based approach (it simply asks you questions about your devices and some specifics around each activity). Harmony does the rest, looking up all your devices automatically. Don't fret if you don't see a particular device. Just specify that it's not listed and put in the brand name (My new Olevia LCD tv wasn't in there). From there it seems to go out and find the data in it's data base (not sure why it doesn't just display it to begin with - but it worked).

You can configure just about anything on this remote. I got it set-up 90% of the way there, just by using the simple wizard. Then I saw a few things I wanted to tweak and was able to do that pretty quickly - without reading any directions. The user interface can be a little intimidating at first - until you get a feel for how the remote works and how Harmony 'thinks' about your devices.

I even got to try out the 'learning' feature because one of my TV functions wasn't in the standard list. You just select that you want to teach it a new command, connect Harmony to your computer and point your old remote at the back of the Harmony remote. Push the button you want to teach it and 'pow' - you've just taught it a new command. You can name it anything you want as well - call it 'Steve' if you want. Like I said, very, VERY configurable.

My wife liked it because I was able to set up the 'soft-keys' exactly the way she wanted them. Oh, and yeah - you could even reprogram every standard key on the remote if you want - even if you wanted to do something wacky like have the '9' key turn off the DVD player or eject a disk. It's scary how configurable this thing is. Oh and if you mess it up somehow, just 'restore defaults' and start over.

The Harmony line is pretty extensive. They have some top of the line units that are well over the $200 mark, but there is a wide range to choose from. Go to the Logitech web-site and compare the models to find the one you want (I got this one - the 659). You can't beat the price of the refurbished unit either. But if you have a DVR then you might want to go with the 670 (which has more native DVR buttons in the center).

Highly recommend this product.

The last universal remote you'll ever own.
I hesitated before buying this, because I figured I'd be crazy to spend more than $30 or so on a universal remote. But this unit was well worth the cost: setup was finished within ten minutes, and afterwards the remote worked perfectly with my TV, DVD player, receiver, cable box and Playstation 2. It's well-constructed and sturdy, with good button feel and layout. If you're looking for a great universal remote but don't want to lay out the $100+ it takes for most of the Harmony units, get this one - you won't need anything else for a very, very long time.

OK remote, but not as good as I was hoping
It has less buttons than Logitech's more expensive remotes, so more of the features are in the lcd screen menu. The problem with that is, you have to push the "next" button to get to each page of the features. If you don't pay attention, and pass the item you're looking for, you have to keep pushing through the menus until you get back to the beginning and then start all over again. There is no way to go back once passed. It is nice because you can go on line and set this remote up to work most features on your devices, like sleep modes, that a lot of remotes don't have. It is battery operated, and it goes through batteries faster than any remote I've ever used before, but that's because of all the lcd menus and lights. I replace batteries about monthly. I'd say it's over priced, even at the referb price, but it's a good replacement remote... just not great.