It has completely eliminated the need for all the other remotes. Even the more advanced/complex functions of a unit’s remote can be easily programmed into the Logitech Harmony. And with Logitech’s online remote control data base, you just enter the brand and model number of an electronic product and, chances are, it already has all the information you’ll need, plus the features you’ll most likely want to put onto your Harmony. Some of the default features that it put into the remote for my devices didn’t work, however, and I had to adjust them manuaully.

If you want to incorporate all the features of your old remotes into this one and have it work smoothly, it will take some time – programming, testing, reprogramming until it is tweaked to perfection. But once you’re there, you’ll be set.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS EXCELLENT – Logitech has a dedicated department (at the time of this review) for the Harmony Universal Remote. I had to call them twice. The wait time was short and the technicians solved my problems quickly both times.

CHARGER/CRADLE ISSUE: Several reviewers complained about problems with the charger. I, too, have experienced this problem – where the unit would not charge. I called tech support and they suggested I clean the contact points in the cradle. When I checked I saw one of the points was “stuck” and not actually making contact with the unit. Cleaning the contacts fixed the problem. That was four months ago and I haven’t had a problem since. I suspect there was a manufacturing problem that left a tacky substance in the contact area that created this big problem. Since I don’t see this issue mentioned in the most recent reviews, I assume it’s been addressed. I still give this product FIVE STARS.

Lastly, one of the best features of this remote, besides it’s true universal application, is that it lights up when you pick it up so you can read everything on it, including the buttons (they’re backlit). And it has a clock on the display. Don’t forget it has its own rechargeable battery and charger stand.

Great product!

CONS:

* Requires internet connection and USB cord in order to program.

*You’ll need to be comfortable with a PC.

*You’ll need to become familiar with Logitech’s software in order to program and customize the remote. It’s a bit confusing at first. Its not totally intuitive.

*Not as comfortable to hold and press buttons as most of my original remotes. I think the remote should be just a little bigger (due to my big hands).

*No macros allowed at this time but posts on internet sites say Logitech will add this to their software in the near future.

* Buttons in the middle of the remote should be a little bigger (left-right arrows, Device, Media)

* After two weeks I still don’t know what the MEDIA button does.

* I don’t know how long the little thin rectangular rechargeable battery will last. I wonder how much time and money will it take to get a replacement in the future.

* Too much glass around the screen. Every time I press a button next to the screen, press a left-right arrow to change the functions assigned to the screen buttons, etc finger prints and smudges are left on the glass. Very noticeable. I’m cleaning this remote every day just to get the smudges off.

A really good universal remote that can simulate every button on every one of your original remotes – even the remote for your oscillating room fan or ceiling fan. Just get the make and model numbers off your devices and enter them into the software.

You definitely need to be patient. I’m a total computer geek and even I got confused at times. You’ll need to reprogram the remote quite a few times in order to get every button simulated and also get the buttons next to the screens to have the commands in the order you want them the appear. I re-programmed mine about 15 times just to get it to be exactly the way I want it.

You aren’t limited to just 8 button functions at the buttons next to the screen. Just use the left-right arrows to page to the next screen and you’ll have 8 more functions next to the buttons. If these 8 aren’t enough, you can press the left-right arrows again and have 8 more functions programmed. One of my remotes has 7 pages of button functions. And even more could have been set up while I was doing the programming.

I just found out I can toggle from “activities” mode to “device” mode and back to “activities” mode by just continuing to press the “device” button. I like this feature.

[...]

OVERALL, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU HAVE PATIENCE, AREN’T EASILY CONFUSED BY GADGETS, ARE COMFORTABLE USING A COMPUTER AND WANT A REMOTE THAT CAN SIMULATE EVERY BUTTON ON EVERY ONE OF YOUR ORIGINAL REMOTES.

I report – You decide.

This one remote can control up to 15 devices, which means I can and have configured it for all the remote-controlled devices in my home – all the tvs, TiVos, DVD players, Cable Boxes, and even the surround sound box thing. I have to say, this is sooooo nice! Plus, it is rechargeable, which means no digging for batteries when it all of a sudden runs out.

You connect it to your PC with a USB cable to program it, and it is a snap. If you have the model numbers for your devices, which are usually found somewhere on the device itself, then it is a real no-brainer. Logitech had all of the devices I gave the setup program model numbers for in their database, and it was very quick to set those up. I had one TV that I couldn’t find the model number for, so I just gave the manufacturer name, and it asked me if I had the remote for that device. I did, so it asked me to push a few specific buttons on the device so it could learn it, and it had figured out the best model match for that TV within 1 minute.

I love the remote, and so far I think I’ll be fine with just having the one, since it is rare I’ll be watching TV in more than one room at a time – LOL. Plus, I still have the original remotes that I’ll tuck away for emergency use. I won’t be at all surprised if I decide to get another Harmony sometime in the future, though.

The best price I found for the Harmony 880 was at Amazon.com. It is currently about $155 there, and has a $30 rebate offer with it. Couple that with my Amazon Prime membership, which affords me free 2-day shipping, and I am a very happy camper!

The Harmony 880 feels good in the hand. It’s light weight and comfortable design packs a lot of features and charge for the money.

Set up is programmed via the Harmony website. You need a good working knowledge of your devices and the functions you want the 880 to perform. But after this somewhat tedious process, the 880 performs beautifully.

With the remote cradled in the charger most of the time, there’s never a problem with keeping a charge. The 880 not only controls audio and video devices, but it can be programmed to control lighting as well.

Select the activity function button and you can control everything from watching TV, DVDs and video, to listening to the radio or CDs, to controlling your lighting and more. When there is a problem, the help feature finds the problem and resolves it quickly through a series of questions it asks the user.

This may be the the first remote that even a woman can love. After all, I bought the Harmony 880 for my husband, but it usually ends up in my hands.

- Victoria Austin

My AV system has 9 remotes. Up to now, only the RC5200 had been able to handle it all in a way that my mother (80) and my kids (now 8 and 11) could use it easily.

I fell into this remote at a retail store. Price was $250 at a time I was considering spending $500 for another RC product. Amazon was $160 for the 880. The retail store rep told me that it’s easy to program, just pick your equipment, answer a few questions about how you want to use it, and off you go. I didn’t believe him. Here, I’ve been programming the RC5200 with buttons and macros – hours and hours of my time to get it right…it can’t be that easy.

I bought it half-thinking I’d return it unsatisfied…I couldn’t have been more wrong…I LOVE THIS REMOTE. It feels like a TiVo remote, very comfortable. It has all the logic of each of my 9 remotes plugged into easy format, and it took me all of about 15 minutes to answer all the 880’s programming questions so that I have one-touch access to the entire system. After using it one day, it’s absolutely incredible.

Thank you Logitech for getting it right with this product!!!

It took about 45 minutes to program (and I would recommend downloading the latest software from Logitech).

I had to recheck the connections to the reciever/TV etc. when it didnt turn on all the components and set them to the correct setting. At first, I thought some of the reviews were right, this is a POS.

After checking the connections, I had the xBox on the “tape” audio on the reciever, and went back to the logitech page and re-setted the remote.

It works flawlessly once set-up properly. Its programmable, so I can only assume many of the negative posts are people with no clue on how to follow on screen directions…..

This controls 5 AV components. My wife uses it and I don’t receive calls at work asking my the TV/DVD/TiVo/Radio isn’t working. one HELP button to rule them all. Even she recommends it to people now.