Going to Need a new Remote

[RBraverman]

Pretty soon I'm going to need to replace my Harmony 300 (the 4th one in as many years) and do not/am not getting suckered in for another.

I've looked at the MX-700 and "heard" that it could ALSO replace my Remote Wonder (now that it's working bitc*en).

CAN the MX-700 do that? I like the idea of have the remotes programming in software so I can always duplicate it to another remote - the biggest plus is that a used one is within my budget.

Don't need TOO much, Smart TV/HTPC/maybe my HK.

Ideas?

[SWKerr]

Harmony 650 + FLIRC

The Harmony can be had for about $50 and can be used to control all normal TV and Audio devices. The FLIRC ($25) can be used to add IR controls to a HTPC, FireTV and GoogleTV devices.

[brianrent]

I agree. Harmony 650 and Flirc. We have 2 in the living room and they work great. We use rechargeable batteries with a stand alone charger with ours. Saves us a lot on batteries.

[brianrent]

I use the same remote profile in harmony software to program both remotes so they are identical.

[RBraverman]

Ok, you all have have a persuasive recommendation.

BUT, I do like Harmony's the 300's that I have had (granted the low man on the totem pole) barely lasted a year each.

What about the Home Theatre Master's MX-700?

[rnadeau]

I just read on Amazon's web site review that the Home Theatre Master's MX-700 Must be purchased from an authorized URC dealer to be eligible to receive the programming software. I have had many urc remotes and some have had hard use but they still work and they work forever. The urc-wr7 I have now is over 7 years old.

[Telecore]

You may still be able to get a URC MX-850 and the MX editor software at surfremote.com. I purchased some of these over the years from them, however, now I exclusively use Logitech Harmony 650's mainly due to the high cost of the URC remotes. The URC remotes are highly configurable via PC programming (RS-232), support macros, support pronto hex code importing, and have an extensive database of equipment IR codes, however, I found that most of my programming was the equivalent of the Harmony's activity startup or power off macros. The MX-850 used to cost $200 new - I can get a refurbished Harmony 650 for $35. Also, I had reliability issues with the MX remotes - they break when dropped on a hard surface and the keypad membranes would wear out. So, long story short, I would recommend the Harmony 650's.

[RBraverman]

My main question is - I've been convinced to go Logitech - is if it's the same web programming, how do you set it up of the FLIRC?