The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
User reviews for the Harmony 659 / H659 / SST-659 from Logitech.
Ratings
Reviews
MSRP (USD)
Average: 3.88/5.00 Median: 4.33/5.00
89
$199
The Harmony H659 remote control features simple Internet-based programming via USB, Smart State control for easy system automatation, full backlighting, a redesigned user interface and a large complement of hard buttons!
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 33 made on Wednesday June 2, 2004 at 6:04 PM.
Strengths:
Programming, user interface, user friendly, great freeken remote!
Weaknesses:
Battery cover sucks, and wish the buttons would have a better click or push to them, they feel really bouncy and sometimes you don't know if you really pushed them. It's not that bad though.
Review:
I must say it's the best damn remote I have ever spent money on! Hard buttons are the way to go for me, or at least enough to get the job done. I can't stand looking down and seeing what I am pushing every single time I use a remote. This takes care of that, and the lcd screen is great and gets the job done, but providing my directv guide or at least my favorite channels and what is on at that time. Plus you just can't beat macro buttons that say watch tv, watch a movie, etc. etc. It doesn't get any more user friendly than that!
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 32 made on Sunday May 30, 2004 at 6:05 PM.
Strengths:
Kind of easy (not quite, but exactly kind of) to set up if you don't have too complicated equipment and don't expect a lot of control of it.
Weaknesses:
Battery life absolutely sucks, no macros, Web interface is slow and down when you need it most.
Review:
A set of brand new batteries lasts only TWO WEEKS. This is with lights on only when quick buttons are pressed. I'm on my FOURTH set of batteries in TWO MONTHS. Unbelievable!
Several times their Web site was down - exaclty when I wanted to adjust something. The idea of Web interface is just ridiculous. All that is needed to be loaded from the Web are latest device files, after tham I don't want to be connected.
Unbelievably lame lack a macro commands inside actions threw away quite a few handy macro sequences I had with my cheapy old remote. Heck, if you don't like "macros", call them "sub-actions", but please don't throw away the most basic functionality of an universal remote.
Overall - I HATE THIS REMOTE. Wish I never bought it.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 31 made on Sunday May 23, 2004 at 3:53 PM.
Strengths:
Ease of setup and configuration through a web interface, including advanced functions.
Weaknesses:
Have found none at this time.
Review:
Have been playing with other remotes working through manuals and not getting to the end game. The activity based design has made my wife a very happy women. Push one button to watch a movie, listen to music, or watch the tv. This includes haveing the buttons programmed to do the right thing at the appropriate time. This thing even handled all the functions of the cable box with ease. I'm tickled pink at the purchase and happy consumer with this product.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 30 made on Sunday May 16, 2004 at 6:36 PM.
Strengths:
Online Configuration provides basic as well as advanced options. No punching in arcane codes. I love the ability to pull up my configuration online and tweak my remote. Change your mind, and want to move a function from one button to another? No problem! Logon and make the change online - quickly and easily. The remote itself is designed well - great for users who "feel" for buttons on their remote.
Weaknesses:
Website can be slow at times (so don't program your remote for the first time during prime time). Otherwise, I have no complaints.
Review:
THE best remote I've ever owned. Setup was easy and highly configurable. I got the remote to do exactly what I wanted. Some reviewers said setup was difficult, but I bet their VCR's are flashing "12:00" as well. Nothing is more difficult then typing codes into a remote. Harmony eliminates this chore with a well designed graphical user interface. If you're undecided, I suggest you create an account at Harmony, and setup the remote online before buying (you can do this without the remote).
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 29 made on Thursday May 13, 2004 at 1:31 AM.
Strengths:
It works!
Weaknesses:
Email support not very good for system type problems. Web client will not work with Norton Internet Security Intrusion detection enabled.
Review:
Note for Norton Internet Security Users on XP Professional. To get to the Harmony logon page, I had to completely turn off intrusion detection. Something is not right about how Harmony and Norton interact. Set up went fine after I turned Norton off. Remote worked as advertised on the first try!
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 28 made on Wednesday May 12, 2004 at 1:30 AM.
Strengths:
Can't tell, Web site not working
Weaknesses:
Total dependence on web site means I have an expensive paper weight.
Review:
Just got the device because my wife is frustrated with number of remotes in living room. My main problem is the Web site not available messages when I try to log on the initial configuration screen. I'm also getting an URL traversal Alert from my Norton firewall. Initial email to company got a response of "Thanks for your email. Are you still having a problem? I'm not really sure why you were not able to log in." I have emailed screen shots to Harmony and will keep you posted on progress with them. I don't know why a local web based application can't be included that accesses the web site for a database update prior to setup.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 27 made on Friday May 7, 2004 at 8:32 PM.
Strengths:
Ease of use Ease of programming Nice backlighting Slim and usable Design Flexability
Weaknesses:
Backlight went out on first remote after three days; had to return.
Review:
See strengths and weaknesses above. Owned a Philips TSU 500 previously. Got tired of it breaking everytime it was accidentally knocked off the coffee table. Tried something different with the H659. Thought I needed the TSU 500 for its flexability to control different types of devices. After using the H659 for a short period of time, I realized I never needed the hoopla of the Pronto-style remotes. I can now FEEL the keys I want to press (a slowly realized irritating feature of the LCD screen), there are all located nicely (except the rewind/play/forward array should have been above the numbers) and I have the Harmony running more devices than I ever wanted to have run by the Philips. I only wish the different clusters of buttons could have had a different feel from one another to aid in peripheral navigation of the device.
Return to the user reviews index...
