User reviews for the Complete Control MX-850 "Aeros" from Universal Remote Control Inc. Ratings Reviews MSRP (USD) Average: 3.72/5.00 Median: 4.67/5.00 13 $399 The MX-850 upgrades the MX-800 with more versatile RF extender options, an updated design and different backlighting. You still get computer-based setup, control of up to 20 devices with 4 LCD screens each, plus macros anywhere! Message Forum Clicker Picker Specifications Add Your Review Get it at:

Written by Rem3000 from West. The reviewer has used this remote control for 6-12 months.

Review 6 made on Friday September 1, 2006 at 3:38 AM. Strengths: Good RF with the MRF-300, good button feel, easy to program once you get the hang of it. Weaknesses: ***Way overpriced at or close to MSRP (For the same price Harmony offers a lot more.) ***No variables (even the cheapest Harmony remotes have them. ***Serial connector, no USB. ***Not Mac-compatible. ***Dim back-light. Have to press a side button to turn back-light on. ***While quality is generally good, left arrow button is starting to act up. ***URC is the sleaziest company I have owned a product from. Disabled software updates and access to the updated database for all who bought from places like Amazon, Costco and Ebay. Review: I would never buy a URC product again. Harmony offers a much better deal and from a better company. Otherwise, go for a real pro remote like RTI or Crestron. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by davidmj54 from Macungie PA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-2 years.

Review 5 made on Sunday July 2, 2006 at 1:36 PM. Strengths: Excellent placement for the buttons Easy programability Weaknesses: No sustained burst which is required for turning on/off projectors Review: It is really a great remote with excellent tech support for beginners and advanced users. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by LASZLO KUCSMA from NJ, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 6-12 months.

Review 4 made on Monday October 10, 2005 at 4:29 PM. Strengths: USER FRIENDLY, VERSATILE, EASY TO PROGRAM Weaknesses: NONE Review: SO FAR I HAVEN'T FOUND A REMOTE CONTROL TO BE AS POWERFUL AND AS USER FRIENDLY AS THIS ONE. I'VE BEEN DOING CUSTOM PROGRAMING FOR A YEAR NOW AND THIS IS BY FAR MY PERSONAL FAVORITE. I GIVE IT TWO THUMBS UP!! Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Shane Oakes from SoCal, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 3 made on Wednesday September 28, 2005 at 12:02 PM. Strengths: Easiest to program remote, ever! EVER!!! Most wife-friendly remote I've come across. Too many to list here! Weaknesses: MSRP Cannot learn codes directly from remote--must be connected to computer. Only five-character button labelling. Review: I have the typical stack of remotes, and wanted to consolidate them all to one. My Marantz SR-8200 came with the wonderful RC3200, which is a great remote, but imo has a few drawbacks that I was looking to solve with the MX850: tactile buttons, battery life, and wife-friendliness (plus, I have lost the ability to program the RC3200 on the computer for some reason). Having the RC3200 did consolidate my stack of remotes to it and the wife-friendly Cox cable remote, but I really wanted just one that could handle everything, but be just as wife-friendly and tactile as the Cox remote. And that didn't eat batteries like there was no tomorrow. I'll admit, I pretty much had looked exclusively at the MX800 or MX850, without much shopping of other brands. At some future point, I'll be moving all components to a built-in cabinet in my hallway, and will be taking advantage of the MX850's RF capabilities, so that was a necessary function I was looking for. I will also admit I purchased the MX850 and the MRF-250 off Evilbay, so I won't get the manufacturer's warranty...but I did save myself over $300. As for what really counts, the MX850 is a real piece of work. The manufacturer really put a lot of time and thought into the use, programming, feel, look, and wife-friendliness of this remote. While it is big, it is not overly large (unlike my RC3200). Buttons are laid out in a near-perfect arrangement, with the most-used buttons where you want them, and seperated enough you don't have to worry about hitting the wrong one in the dark. While I have only had it a very short time at this point, using it is a dream. My wife hates changes to anything she is used to, and I had just finished programming the 850 just before leaving for a five-day out of town trip and left it and the Cox remote on the table for her to use, wihtout telling her anything about it; I get back and the Cox remote is sitting in a drawer!! I am an end-user who has a natural intuitiveness, so I did not want to have someone program the remote for me. I also am not exactly what one would consider computer-savvy. Though I have only had experience with programming the RC3200 (before the software stopped recognizing the remote), getting the MX850 programmed was possibly the easiest programming task I could have ever hoped for. It took me about an hour of just casually playing with some of the software functions before I felt comfortable with actually fully programming the MX850. Starting from a blank slate, by the end of four hours I had a fully programmed, with full macro functions, MX850 that was completely useable with only three things I had to go back and fix manually. The pre-programmed IR codes URC has in their database are over 99.9% accurate. The software is simple, with click-and-save features that anyone familiar with Windows programs will understand. And yes, the programming is so easy an 8-year-old can start from scratch and in five hours' time have a fully functioning remote!! The only parts I'm not fond of about the MX850 is obviously the MSRP, the inability to learn IR codes directly from the remote unit itself, and the limitation of button-labelling to only five characters. I had gotten used to my RC3200's ability to learn IR codes directly from the remote itself, without having to connect it to the computer. This is extremely helpful and when my computer or software stopped recognizing the remote when I tried to connect it it was the only way I was able to still have a functioning remote; I was still able to adjust buttons and macros and learn new devices, it's just that it was much more time-consuming. With the MX850, the only way I am able to learn a new IR code is to have it connected to the computer--I hope I don't run into the same problem, or I will lose all updating and reconfiguring ability (at least on my own computer, by myself). Also, I had gotten used to being able to label the soft buttons on my RC3200 with almost the entire device name, or at least enough characters so that I didn't have to try to decipher what I meant by "CRCLC" or MCHST". The MX850 only allows up to five characters per button, so when a device has a "Multi-Channel Stereo" or "Multi Room Power On" button, it can get a bit frustrating trying to come up with five-character shorthand. In all seriousness, this remote is way too awesome to try to list even half the great things it has going for it. I can't imagine having anything else in my house. Once I have a need for the RF abilities, I will report back on how that turns out. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Daniel Havel from Miliatary in Japan. The reviewer has used this remote control for 6-12 months.

Review 2 made on Friday May 6, 2005 at 2:38 AM. Strengths: There are too many to list so here are a few. Programming is simple Custom button labeling Comforatable in your hand Good looks Controls every function Very durable feel Decent battery life Easy to follow manual Weaknesses: ABSOLUTELY NONE. Well Ok, maybe one, the cost at $400 but then again, it's one hell of a remote. Review: Let me start off by saying I have a semi complicated home theater system with many components. I wanted to get rid of the pile of remotes on my coffee table and also make it easy for my wife to operate when I am not home. I did my research here on this website and at custom audio stores. I tested everything from the Pronto, URC 300, Sony 3100 and all the Harmony's and WOW I coulndt have made a better decision than the Orion 850. The others didnt come close in everything I was looking for. I am not a computer kind of person at all, barely know how to turn one on. The computer based program for the 850 is so simple an 8 yr old can work it. The simulator is unbeleivable! Download your the code for your remote from the online database, click save and change any of the buttons to say what you want them too. That easy. Macro setting is just as simple. Once you have all your component remotes loaded into the 850 then you just copy and paste the command to whatever button you choose. I have one button labeled "Movie". When my wife wants to watch a move she presses "Movie" and all the components needed to watch a move come on and go to the correct inputs like TV-Video 1 for example, then Recv on and surround mode, dim the lights and so on..... There is no component or individual function of a component that I found that you cannot control with this 850. Words can't describe how awesome this remote is!! Quality: Features: Value:

Written by t bolton from georgia usa. The reviewer has used this remote control for 3-6 months.

Review 1 made on Saturday January 29, 2005 at 12:23 PM. Strengths: The best remote i have ever used or programed. The RF work great!!!! Weaknesses: none Review: love it,Ive had it for a few months now. If any one has a discrete on/off code for a toshiba 51h93 PLEASE LET ME KNOW Quality: Features: Value:

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