Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote

June 13, 2005

harmony 880I’ve been a long time proponent of the ‘Home Theater Master‘ line of remotes from Universal remote, but if the Harmony 880 works as well as the marketing hype indicates I just may have to give one a try. The 880 with its bright, color LCD screen can display channel icons (and more) in full-color allowing for quick navigation to your favorite channels without having to memorize a single channel number. In addition to this the Logitech has another feature that I wish more universal remote manufacturers would embrace, rechargeable batteries and a dock that doubles as a charging base.

As with most harmony remotes the programming process is done via the internet, so you’ll never have to look far for lost remote codes. Another handy feature is the built-in motion sensor that illuminates the backlit buttons when the remote is picked up in a dark room, no more fumbling for that back-light button. The 880 should be available from a variety of vendors by July 1st. I’m hoping to grab one for a full review in the coming weeks, stay tuned.



Posted by B.Greenway | | Filed Under Universal Remotes


Comments

  • chuck

    I strongly believe that there’s no need for a screen on the remote. The last thing you want when lying on your sofa and watching telly is refocusing to see your remote. That’s why I chose the Harmony-655: it’s got great buttons and you only need the screen when trying to do something truly unusual – like troubleshoot the DVD that has timed out and turned off via timeout while you were going out for a beer.

  • chuck

    I strongly believe that there’s no need for a screen on the remote. The last thing you want when lying on your sofa and watching telly is refocusing to see your remote. That’s why I chose the Harmony-655: it’s got great buttons and you only need the screen when trying to do something truly unusual – like troubleshoot the DVD that has timed out and turned off via timeout while you were going out for a beer.

  • B.Greenway

    I guess it all depends on what your controlling, I have a screen on mine now (non color) and can’t really see being able to make sense of all the devices I have with just buttons.

  • B.Greenway

    I guess it all depends on what your controlling, I have a screen on mine now (non color) and can’t really see being able to make sense of all the devices I have with just buttons.

  • Grover

    I think the screen is a boon, because as you mention, you generally only use the screen for switching devices or fine tuned adjusting…not things you’ll typically be doing in the middle of a viewing. The biggest advantage I see of the new screen is that all the activity buttons have been moved there, meaning that every activity can have an accurate label (PS2, HTPC, etc…) at a time once again when you’re likely to actually look at the remote.

    I almost never use the channel or listing functions (that’s what Tivo is for), but still consider any of the recent generation harmony’s to be the best remote I’ve ever bought, including higher end ones. It’s definitely the best value. It’s also the most “wife” proof (formerly known as girlfriend proof).

  • Grover

    I think the screen is a boon, because as you mention, you generally only use the screen for switching devices or fine tuned adjusting…not things you’ll typically be doing in the middle of a viewing. The biggest advantage I see of the new screen is that all the activity buttons have been moved there, meaning that every activity can have an accurate label (PS2, HTPC, etc…) at a time once again when you’re likely to actually look at the remote.

    I almost never use the channel or listing functions (that’s what Tivo is for), but still consider any of the recent generation harmony’s to be the best remote I’ve ever bought, including higher end ones. It’s definitely the best value. It’s also the most “wife” proof (formerly known as girlfriend proof).

  • Kevin

    I don’t use the screen that often on my Harmony, but a color screen would be nice. Rechargable battery sounds like a good idea, until a realize that I have no outlet in my coffee table. I suppose I could run an electrical wire in the basement and drill a hole up under the coffee table and then mount a receptacle in the drawer, but I think I’ll stick to changing AAA batteries instead.

    Now I would really like the motion sensor to turn on the backlight. That would be a great feature.

  • Kevin

    I don’t use the screen that often on my Harmony, but a color screen would be nice. Rechargable battery sounds like a good idea, until a realize that I have no outlet in my coffee table. I suppose I could run an electrical wire in the basement and drill a hole up under the coffee table and then mount a receptacle in the drawer, but I think I’ll stick to changing AAA batteries instead.

    Now I would really like the motion sensor to turn on the backlight. That would be a great feature.

  • Ted

    I was debating waiting for this remove vs. getting one of teh previous generation for my new HT setup, and decided to get the 680 instead. I’m planning to hook up with this baby and it would not work with the integrated battery:
    http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/WirelessRFRemoteControlExtender.php

  • Ted

    I was debating waiting for this remove vs. getting one of teh previous generation for my new HT setup, and decided to get the 680 instead. I’m planning to hook up with this baby and it would not work with the integrated battery:
    http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/WirelessRFRemoteControlExtender.php