clckworang

My parents have the same model of Harmony remote, so I borrowed their charger. With the new battery, the remote would turn on when on the cradle and go to the charge/screen saver screen, but it would not charge. Weird. I decided to spend an extra $10 to buy a third-party charger that is supposed to work with my Harmony remote's battery. I'll see if that does the trick. If not, I'm not sure what I will get as a replacement.

When I first bought my Harmony remote years ago, the program that came with it wouldn't work. I had a similar problem as you, but I was able to call customer support. They instructed me to go to the website and download the latest version of the software. After that, it worked like a charm.

Deftones

Get it! Get it! Like I said, outside of one goofy button placement and the issue where it erases the last entered code (read on why it happens), you'll be happy. It's a tank. Oh, and I forgot, it doesn't have a gyroscope, so it won't light up when you pick it up (like the Harmony remotes), but those are minor concerns.

Pointyskull

Just ordered it....

fumanstan

I've had my Harmony One for maybe 4 years, and I love the thing. I had an issue with the battery losing it's charge a couple months ago and it swelling up, but just bought a replacement battery and it was fine.

Hopefully if Harmony is sold they go to a company that keeps them as is and maintains support. Love their stuff.

Mordred

How'd you get a replacement battery? Mine (which is now 5 years old I think) has started needing to be charged every day and while I'd probably just buy a new one, I'd love to get the battery replaced if I could. I didn't think the battery was accessible though.

NVM: Already ordered a replacement from Amazon

fumanstan

Yeah, I just bought one off of Amazon. Not sure if its a knock off or legit, but it works fine for me. The hard part was yanking the old battery out once it's swelled up.

CRM114

My battery swelled and the cover kept popping off on an older model I no longer use. I asked their support about it and two days later a cover and battery came in the mail free of charge. I've always had good experiences with them.

Pointyskull

My update:
I ordered the URC 40 from Amazon for $149.99.
While it can control up to something like 18 items I found the setup to be extremely frustrating - and I consider myself savvy on such things. Seemed like more work than it should be - or maybe I was just having a bad day.

Ending up returning it and picking up a Harmony 650 for $59 (also from Amazon). I was able to import the settings from my old broken-buttoned Harmony in a few minutes with no headaches. Did a little tweaking via the web interface and I was good. Yes, it controls less but suits my setup (TV, receiver, DVR, Blu-Ray, iPod dock) just fine. And cheaper, too. Plus: Mrs. 12thmonkey loves it, so I'm golden.

Sorry, Deftones. I feel like I let you down - but I appreciate the suggestion.
I was looking forward to thinking outside the Harmony box with the URC 40 but it just didn't work for me.

CRM114

Does the URC have that nifty web interface like the Harmonys? I bought the 650 for $39 at Best Buy. I also have a Harmony One for my main home theater area.

Pointyskull

Nope.

Krayzie

Is there an easy way to take apart the Harmony 650? Somehow a strand of hair got into the display part awhile back and it's been bothering me ever since...

Deftones

You found it difficult? Really? I never had a problem with it. It definitely took longer since it wasn't web based, but once you figured out what it was looking for, it was a breeze to program. Sorry you had issues 12thmonkey.

Pointyskull

No need to apologize. I was grateful for the recommendation, and Amazon's lenient return policy made trying it out painless.

Like I said, I may have had an off day when I was trying to set it up. I'm sure it's a great remote.

K&AJones

We have the 650 and it's been great for the last year or so. However it's been doing somethings sort of weird. I use to hit the Off button only once but now I have to hit it twice. And now when I turn on a set be it gaming or TV not everything will come on or turn off. It seems to be one item in the train that just doesn't go off or on when it should.

Mr. Salty

Logitech has changed its mind after a better second quarter and is keeping Harmony:

Logitech to retain Harmony brand

Following an earlier public disclosure that it was looking to sell its Harmony remote control business, Logitech has announced that it will retain the well-known product line. In a release, Logitech said, “The company has determined that retaining ownership is in the best interest of its shareholders. The Harmony product line has gained momentum following the April introduction of the Hamony Ultimate product, which is available in major retail locations including select Apple stores in the U.S., and has exceeded the company’s expectations for customer connections.”

Rob V

Nice. I saw the new Harmony Ultimate over the weekend. That'll probably be my next remote.

bdshort

I've had a Harmony One for several years and love it. I like that it makes it easy to explain how to use the home entertainment system to a parent or houseguest. The Ultimate looks pretty cool. Maybe when my One shits the bed, I'll take a closer look at it.

Sdallnct

Intersting. I didn't even know about the Ultra. But still happy w/my One. Especially since on got it on the BB price mistake of $50.

But, I think there is a market for that low-medium home theater equipment. Not the guy willing to spend $50,000 on his set up, but more than Walmart or most of what like BB sells.

spainlinx0

I couldn't give up my Harmony One. I can't tell you how much easier it is that when people are over, I don't have to explain how to turn on every component. The only issue I ever have is when the center channel is blocking the TV signal so it doesn't turn on. I just tell the person, move left and press help.

Superman07

Maybe it's something obvious, or bad software, but with a One how do you:

A) reduce time between actions
B) customize soft device buttons and order

bunkaroo

I haven't had to do it in the while, but I thought that was under some of the advanced settings somewhere. Not sure if it's at the device level or activity level. Just poke around in there and you should find it.

Mr. Salty

I would have to be in front of my home computer to look at the software to answer B, but for A:

spainlinx0

There is one thing I do hate about my Harmony. It cannot keep the correct time. I have given up correcting it. It's always off no matter how many times I go in the settings and change it.

GreenMonkey

Glad to see the Harmony is being kept. Yay! I trust Logitech (they've got good customer service). My harmony remotes haven't been the most durable things in existence, but I've been on my current Franken-remote for about 4 years now (it's a harmony 676 and a 670 spliced together). The plastic piece on the end is missing (exposing the usb connector).

I've wanted a One for ages, but missed the BB $50 deal, and never had the $150 or so. I hold off on a 700 or a 650 because I always end up with too many devices (consoles, TV, receiver, HD-DVD player, etc).

I'm not sure I like the Harmony Ultimate with the Touch remote. The play buttons at the top and the FF/RW + skip function rolled together...not a fan.

Probably still pick up a One down the road.

hiphopkid

Good luck because they no longer make them anymore. Mine just broke and now I am looking at the Touch.