Logitech Harmony 520 Remote Control Review
Harmony 520 is the most affordable Harmony remote control to date. This entry level model is priced around $50.00 on most internet stores and retailers. Even with the modest price tag, the 520 offers a lot of the functionalities found on more expensive models.
Features
The Harmony 520 features computer based programming like the more expensive models from Logitech. It also features the same activity based and device based controls. You can program the device to “watch TV” or “play DVD” and get the devices up and running. Or, you could program the buttons to directly control different devices. The 520 does feature small LCD screen for simple displays with four hard buttons that corresponds to options displayed on LCD. Harmony 520 can control up to 12 different devices.
Design
The layouts of the buttons are fairly standard. Top of the remote is dominated by the LCD and its four buttons. The playback buttons are right beneath the LCD with directional pad in the middle with numeric buttons at the bottom. The remote itself is not as ergonomic as the more advanced models. The higher end models have ergonomic design that is very comfortable to use. This isn’t to say 520 is a bulky and cumbersome to use. One design that stands out is the different materials used for different hard buttons. It makes it easy to distinguish the hard buttons which makes it easier to learn their locations.
Ease of programming
The Harmony 520 utilizes the same method to program the remote control. You simply connect the remote control to the PC or Mac via USB cable. Once you install the program you are connected to the Logitech’s website and you simply follow the step by step direction to program the remote. The website includes big database of manufacturers and models which eliminates the need to enter code for every single device you own. You simply answer how your home theater devices are connected and how they are to be used. You can assign activity such as watching television or playing DVD and remote will macro the sequences automatically. Logitech provides the easiest way to program their Harmony remotes. And, if for some reason you can’t find your model, the remote can “learn” from the existing remote control. As with other models, you can assign constant functions to the hard buttons such as channel and volume.
Ease of use
The remote control is very easy to operate. Once you have programmed your activity, you can simply push the button operate the designated devices. Like any other remotes, you do need to get used to navigating the menu and its submenu system. Once you’ve learned to navigate them, the only limitation is the amount of devices you can control. Like other Harmony remotes, you have choice of activity based control or device based control. It’s really up to your preference. Most of users won’t have more than 4-6 devices to control and might opt to go with device control. If not, you can go with activity based control. Either way, they are very simple to program and use.
Overall, Harmony 520 is brings a lot to the table for sub $100 remote control. It includes many functions found on more expensive models. But, if you need RF, color screen, and more agronomical design, you might want to look for higher end model offerings from Logitech.
Pros
- Easy programming
- LCD screen
- Price
- Good design
Cons
- No rechargeable battery
- No RF
- No color screen
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Logitech Harmony 520 Advanced Universal Remote - universal remote control ( 966191-0403 ) List Price: $4,972.99 Sale Price: $109.99 Used From: $42.94  |
This site contains the personal opinions of various authors and contributors to this website. The opinions in these articles and reviews are offered in good faith, but also come with no guarantees or warranties.
great remote, low price
Controls everything in the house, haven’t found anything that it cannot control. I have a PS3 with a gamestop remote. Although the gamestop remote wasn’t in the harmony remote database, i was able to learn all the buttons from the remote and it works great now. Programming activities is very nice, it turns on everything you need and turns them off when you are done.
Programs just about Any device…
There is nothing this remote can’t program…as you connect up to the internet when you set it up. It also can LEARN from another remote. If you have access to the internet, I would HIGHLY Recommend this device. You won’t be sorry.
Great Value
This my second Harmony Remote. I needed to replace my 676 because some of the buttons had stopped working. Did not want to spend a lot of money but I wanted all the functionality and ease of use of the Harmony. This remote provided all that at a great price. This is an awesome value.
The Remote I Hate to Love
I love Harmony remotes. This is my 5th so I must really like them. I’ve always had fairly complex A/V setups so the urge to find a 1 remote solution was always strong. After years of searching for my dream solution I had accepted my fate and was content with a conventional all-in-one programmable unit. Then one day 4-5 years ago I was walking through CES and came across the Harmony. Bought one sight unseen. After setting up the software on my PC I was able to set everything up perfectly. The biggest surprise was the Task oriented functionality – no chained custom commands necessary. Brilliant!
All was well until 13 months later it just died. Bought another one and 6 months later it died too. Got that one replaced under warranty and sure enough 6 months later the remote’s USB plug just broke off so I couldn’t program it anymore. The remote still worked but I’d changed satellite boxes and that rendered it useless to me. Bought another one and 14 months later (12 month warranty. Hmmm.) its USB connector failed too. Forensic analysis revealed the solder that attached the USB thingie to the motherboard detached in both units.
Now I have the Harmony 520. About a month after getting it the screen has become barely readable (seems only alternate scan lines are turning on). But I can live with that. My system is happy again. My 5 year old and my wife can both control my complicated system with one button without fuss.
I can’t live without a working Harmony remote in my house but their quality control consistently blows chunks. If I had a cost-effective alternative I would jump at it. In the meantime I love my Harmony.
Awesome, an inexpensive all in one remote.
This remote is awesome. I was able to program it in under 10 minutes. I have had no difficulty using it and my wife can finally operate the surround sound without calling me!
Works flawlessly!
went from 5 remotes down to 1. software is a bit clunky. but, I would recommend it to anyone.
Love it.
This remote replaced 6 others, and it’s truely fantastic. The included software is pretty straightforward, and once you enter in all of you device model #’s, you’ll be well on your way. It’s a great bargain for the price (40-50$).
Sucks for Samsung products
Read the title. This remote escpecially sucks for Samsung home theater systems. I do not recommend purchasing this remote if you want to use it for Samsung equipment.
An OK all-in-one remote control
I bought this as a refurbished for $30. In less than 1 hour, i have 5 device set up, which includes xbox360, TV, Kodak HD Dock, VCR, and DVD.I really like the “learn” function of the remote, which makes it possible to control every device with a RF receiver. But the software has room to improve. And the hardware, buttons are too sticky. LCD screen contrast not good. The all off button doesn’t work some time, and needs press help button to make it work. Activity function works partially for certain set of device. The range and angle is OK, much better than some of my original remote controls. All in all, it is a phased-out Logitech harmony remote. And i got what i paid for.
Logitech Harmony 520 Advanced Universal remote control
Its excellent for the price I’am very pleased with, its easy to setup. For now I only have my TV and DVD player and works perfectly. I love the backlid lights on all buttons and easy to navigate.
Great Product!
If you are venturing into U remotes the 520 is a very intuitive product. I loaded the software and hooked my TV, cable, stereo, DVD and the one button “Activities” button works flawless. My kids even figured it out so I don’t have to be tech support. The only issue I have found are the number keys for channel changing are small, but this is not enough to downgrade my rating.
Infinitely flexible; a tweaker’s delight!
I purchased the Harmony 520 based on all the favorable reviews I’ve read, and I must say I’m amazed by this product. It can control up to 15 “devices” and can be programmed for several different “activities”, such as Watch a Movie, Listen to CD’s, etc. The Harmony website makes configuring your remote a breeze….once you learn to navigate through all the menus, and this does take a little practice. But once you get the hang of it, there’s no end to what you can teach your remote to do for you. I’ve never encountered a universal remote that was so flexible and full of options…you can make your commands as straightforward or as complex as you like; the choice is up to you.
One slight quibble I have is with the size of the buttons on this particular model. They are somewhat small (the entire remote is streamlined and sleek), so if you have a big thumb you might run into trouble operating it. But otherwise it’s a great product; I would recommend it to anyone.
Remote Control
Very easy to setup; Help Button on the remote is really very helpfull.A great buy for the price. If not for the small buttons I will give it 5 stars.
I will recomend to all my friends. My first buy on the internet.Impressed with Amazon.com
Great Remote !!
Grest remote!! Was easy to program. Was able to ge from 3 remotes to 1 effortlessly. Not too complicated to operate.
happycamper
Awesome product. A little time consuming getting it programmed just right, but I had a very complex system. Liked it so much I bought one for my elderly mom, Now she loves it, only one remote instead of three.