Logitech Harmony 659 Advanced Universal Remote Control - Refurbished
Is your family struggling to use your complex home entertainment system? This unique remote control redefines the term universal. It does the usual TV, DVD, & VCR functions, but it can also control computers, your fireplace, lighting, & more. You can program this remote for so many functions due to the community-based Smart State Database on the internet. You also get the one-of-a-kind Smart State Technology Activity Control. The Harmony Remote 659 is so easy to use and set-up that your family will love it. Set it up by simply plugging it into an Internet-enabled computer, and follow the step-by-step set-up process. Your whole family can control the entertainment system with the press of one Activity Button, and the H659 will take care of the rest. You'll be amazed.Easy To Use: Simple to use for the whole family. Activity buttons such as "Watch TV" and "Watch Movie" set everything correctly with one button press. Press the "Help" button to quickly fix problems and get you back to enjoying your entertainment.Easy To Setup: Just connect the Harmony Remote to your computer and our website will guide you with step-by-step instructions. You'll be controlling even the most complex systems with no elaborate programming required. If you need a little help, the Harmony support team offers unparalleled assistance for all your set-up and customization needs. If you happen to loose or damage your remote, your settings are always stored for you online.
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Logitech Harmony 659 Advanced Universal Remote Control - Refurbished Reviews
I do not know all the reasons remotes get to be refurbished, so buyer beware. The Harmony trademark keys do have a nice feel, but the button labels are a little hard to read because of the small type and their rounded, glossy surface. Setup was easy - run the software and follow the steps. The Harmony only has to be pointed in the general direction, not even with line-of-sight to the cable box. The HELP function is pretty nice, if only because the Harmony doesn't know if individual equipment is already on or off when it runs the command sequence, and doesn't have separate (discrete) IR commands for on or off. There are a few settings I would change, but it works just fine after the first setup. Our Comcast remote has to be aimed very carefully, which is awkward because the cable box is low, behind some furniture.
The main thing I like is the strength of the beam. It has turned out to be a favorite. The back light, helpfully activated by a key with different texture, is a big advantage to reading the other key functions. I could not even tell. This remote was purchased mostly out of curiosity. I had no problems related to the fact that my purchase was refurbished.
For the room where we use this remote, it works great. For really seldom-used functions, everything that the device's remote can do is accessible in "Device" mode. You can program them to do everything that any of your devices' IR remotes can do. This remote has lived up to its promise. I also do not have the problems that some other folks complain about where the device state gets out of sync. The button layout is a little bit odd, in that the transport controls (Play, Stop, Pause, Rewinde, etc). I would rather do this on my computer, using the website's huge database of devices and IR codes, than to try to program it manually, the way I used to have to do with older universal remotes. The Harmony 659, in particular, is a solid performer.
This model does not have all of the buttons that are available in some of the more expensive models (when I was trying to use this for a DVR, I missed the "Skip Fwd" and "Skip Bkwd" buttons), but where I'm using it right now, it has all of the dedicated buttons I need. If your usage patterns require additional buttons that aren't provided on this model, there's almost certainly a model that has those buttons. There have been occasions where I have had to try a configuration, and go back to tweak it, because it wasn't working exactly the way I wanted it to. I've recommended Harmony remotes to everyone who's faced remote problems. Also, they are laid out such that I don't have to think about which button is where - the button I'm looking for is always right where I think it ought to be, even though it's a bit of a reach for my thumb. This can be a little awkward, but ithasn't really caused me too many problems. are all located all the way on the bottom. Some folks hate them, but I'm not one of them.
I have never had any trouble with the website's programming applets. In general, the dedicated buttons on the remote are enough to handle the tasks that you do 90% of the time. I never have to try to find the discrete code settings, even if they're not provided by the device's original remote, because Logitech's online device database already has all of the discrete codes for all of my devices stored and ready for me to use.
Overall, this is a solid remote, at the inexpensive end of the awesome Harmony line. I have three different Harmony remotes I'm a big fan. I always program my devices using what they call "discrete codes", where there's a different command for "On" and "Off", instead fo a single "Toggle Power" command, and different commands for TV input selection.
Less frequently used functions can be configured to appear on the LCD screen, which displays 4 (or 6 - it's configurable) items at a time, and can scroll. In fact, I pre-ordered this remote when I read an article about its upcoming release, because I was so excited about the prospect of a universal remote that actually worked. First, as I indicated above, I'm a big fan of Harmony Remotes.
This means a bit more menu hunting on the LCD if you have a complex home theater. I may have to though as I don't know if I can go through the "turn the tv on, switch to input 1, switch remotes, turn the receiver on, switch to dvd input, turn the dvd player on and now use this remote for volume and this one to push play" with my wife and child again. I must say I have loved this remote, up until a couple of months ago the only down side I could find was how quick it would go through batteries (4 AAA) But you could probably extend that if you were willing to turn off the back light option. Forget the all in one remotes you have seen before. This one is the real deal. Luckily there is a work around for most buttons but now I am a bit wary of shelling out this much money again (though I got a deal on my first one).
Over the past couple of years the remote has withstood a lot of use and abuse (I have a toddler) and recently several buttons have either stopped working altogether or only work intermittently. It has been out several years but the price has never really dropped. It was just one button on the 659, guess we are spoiled now. The 659 is on the low end of the Harmony line but it uses the same software to set it up, just less buttons on the remote itself.
Big deal. For almost a $100 difference I can deal with the DVD control buttons at the bottom. The only difference between this and the 670 are the button placement.
I love the original "peanut" shape of the remote, versus the newer square design of the 520, 550, 720 etc. I also prefer the raised and separated buttons as they are also more ergonomic and easier to access without looking due to the tactile feedback. It ergonomically fits in your hand much better and easier to maintain grip while accessing the various keys. The only thing is that it is missing the DVR A, B, C keys.
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