Reviews - Logitech Harmony 700 Universal Remote

[HEXUS]

Offering one button control for up to six devices, the Harmony 700 is Logitech's mid-range remote catering for your digital lifestyle.

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[MSIC]

Thanks for the review.
By coincidence my remote for my WD HD TV live packed up this morning, and with no relacement easily available I considered getting something like this.
Richer Sounds are selling the Harmony 515 for £25, and the 525 for £30, so I'm going to pick one up this evening and give it a whirl.

[Steven W]

Thanks for the review.
By coincidence my remote for my WD HD TV live packed up this morning, and with no relacement easily available I considered getting something like this.
Richer Sounds are selling the Harmony 515 for £25, and the 525 for £30, so I'm going to pick one up this evening and give it a whirl.

At that price it sounds like you can't lose.

[MSIC]

Ok, so 2 hours in, and this is how things are so far:
The remote (the '515' model) is well made, buttons seem good, well laid out, screen is nice in a green-monocrome way (i guess the 700 is better in that regard), but generally it works well. The whole remote also lights up green too, to find buttons in the dark.
It picked up most of the features that i needed straight away on my Western Dig HD TV Live, and I was able to dig down in to the menus (on the software on the PC, using version 7.70) to add a few more (one in particular was the ability to set the Harmony's "OK" button equal to my WD "Enter" button - very useful stuff).

So all good? Well.... yes except for one huuuuuge negative point.
The PC software - not only are you required to 'log in' (to the application installed on your computer), but it looks like it is in fact some type of front end browser to a database far, far away.
I.E. I press the 'settings' icon on the software, 30 seconds later the screen changes. I press 'applications' icon, another 30 seconds later a response. Etc, etc etc.
I'm telling you, it was PAINFUL, and nothing at all to do with my internet connection which remained working fine thanks. The app also logged me out 3 times, which i had to re-log in again each time.

Suffice to say, now that (i hope) the remote is working as I need, I should be a happy bunny, but I really, really dread having to go anywhere near that Harmony Software again.

[jimborae]

I use an old H655 remote and haven't encountered the software issues before that you seem to have done so could just be a temp problem.

With regard to these newer remotes they really are poor value for money when you compare them against the old ones like mine & yours. Only 6 devices they contol, jesus that immeadiately disqualifies it for me even if the price hadn't. I need at least 8 and my Harmony does 12 or 15 I think.

[Steven W]

Ok, so 2 hours in, and this is how things are so far:
The remote (the '515' model) is well made, buttons seem good, well laid out, screen is nice in a green-monocrome way (i guess the 700 is better in that regard), but generally it works well. The whole remote also lights up green too, to find buttons in the dark.
It picked up most of the features that i needed straight away on my Western Dig HD TV Live, and I was able to dig down in to the menus (on the software on the PC, using version 7.70) to add a few more (one in particular was the ability to set the Harmony's "OK" button equal to my WD "Enter" button - very useful stuff).

So all good? Well.... yes except for one huuuuuge negative point.
The PC software - not only are you required to 'log in' (to the application installed on your computer), but it looks like it is in fact some type of front end browser to a database far, far away.
I.E. I press the 'settings' icon on the software, 30 seconds later the screen changes. I press 'applications' icon, another 30 seconds later a response. Etc, etc etc.
I'm telling you, it was PAINFUL, and nothing at all to do with my internet connection which remained working fine thanks. The app also logged me out 3 times, which i had to re-log in again each time.

Suffice to say, now that (i hope) the remote is working as I need, I should be a happy bunny, but I really, really dread having to go anywhere near that Harmony Software again.

It logs me out of the software all the time and I have to sign in. Think it's the same version

[this_is_gav]

Just downloaded 7.7.0. I've not used my 525 for years now (I've only got 1 device), but I've decided to try it again... and it doesn't take anywhere near 30 seconds... it's upwards of 2 minutes before a page changes!

If it was some free service you could understand it, but these things cost the earth. The absolute least you should expect is that you get a solid, reliable service to configure your device.

Edit: why is this in Gaming? :\

[GoNz0]

my 700 is ok, it has its moments where it plain refuses to turn everything off even though its in the correct mode. i like the tilt to wake function that lights everything up

[DiamondDeal]

Great review - I eventually bought the Logitech Harmony 700 - took me awhile to setup but I am really impressed that it really is a one touch control. Does anyone know if it is compatable with Xbox?

[JimmyBoy1]

I would consider getting one of these, but I still find £100 for what is basically a remote control quite a high price to pay.