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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CyberSimian" data-source="post: 1165289" data-attributes="member: 141969">I bought a Harmony 650 a few weeks ago.  Things I like <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />:(1) It is the only brand of universal remote that avoids the "toggle codes" bug present in the driver for the Microsoft "eHome Infrared Transceiver"; see this thread for details:<a href="http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=385" target="_blank">http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=385</a>(2) The setup software (once you have become familiar with it) is very slick, and makes it easy to set up "activities", which I really like.  I have one outstanding problem, where the input is not switched correctly on the amplifier for one activity, but I think that this is a timing problem (need to add a pause after powering on the amplifier).Things I dislike <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown    :(" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":(" />:(1) The buttons wobble.  This may seem like a strange criticism, but it degrades the user experience.  The most capable remote that I have in my collection is the One-for-All Xsight Colour, which supports 15 devices and has 6 LCD buttons (3 each side of the LCD screen).  It is also the remote that I dislike most, because most of the buttons are truly appalling -- they are small thin bars that are virtually level with the casing of the remote, and hence very difficult to press.  The Harmony 650 is the opposite -- most of the buttons are thin bars that protrude too much, and tend to "tip over" when you press them, making it difficult to press them cleanly.  The one exception is the OK button, which does not protrude enough.  The best remote that I have in this respect is the One-for-All URC-7140, which has circular buttons, of good size, well spaced, and which protrude just the right amount.(2) The buttons seem quite slow to operate, even on a single press (i.e. not a macro or sequence).  There is a noticeable hesitation after pressing the button and before MP responds.  In contrast, the One-for-All URC-7140 produces instant responses from MP.(3) The shape of the underside of the casing is inimical to convenient use; yes, it is curved and not flat.  Typically, I keep the remote on a coffee table next to my chair, and I like to be able to reach out and press buttons on the remote without picking it up.  With the Harmony 650, pressing the VOLUME button in this way causes the remote to tip over (because of its curved underside).  So adjusting the volume requires picking up the remote before pressing the button.  In contrast, the One-for-All URC-7140 has a flat underside, and does not tip over in this scenario.My ideal remote would be something along the lines of the URC-7140 with support for activities and elimination of the toggle-codes bug.  Although it is possible to program the URC-7140 using the RMIR tool available from here:<a href="http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/index.php</a>it requires a special cable, and I don't think that it can do activities (as far as I know, it does not support setting status flags to remember whether particular devices are powered on or off). -- from CyberSimian in the UK</blockquote>

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