Electronics

I love this remote (2008-11-29)
I have had this for 2 years. it is a godsend. I have different things hooked up and I just touch one button and whatever i want it to do, it does. If i want to watch the dvr, i press that and it turns all the appropriate things on. Then if i want to listen to xm, it turns off the stuff it doesn't need and sets everything up for xm. It was extremely easy to program and didn't take very long at all. Once i programmed it, i have never had to go back and redo anything.

It is also great that when I have company they can easily operate everything and I don't have to explain anything. Babysitters and pet sitters appreciate that rather than having to learn what to turn on, what station to set it to, or whatever.

Tami

One last thing that other reviewers don't mention much... (2008-11-26)
There's one thing that I'd like to mention that I think merits praise for Logitech, and that's their customer support.

I'd purchased a Harmony 890 just about a year ago from Best Buy. A few months ago, the screen began "washing out." It would glow, but not display anything. It appeared to be power-related: if the remote was charged too long, or not long enough, it would happen.

But after a while, it was happening all the time, so I called Logitech customer support. After trying various fixes, they mailed me a new remote.

As in, they mailed me a whole new remote package. They disabled the old remote from being updated (but not from being used!), and sent me a whole new 890 package, complete with new RF tranceiver, IR emitters, remote, charging station, the works. No hassles, and my system is back to working like a dream.

I'd like to mention that in previous experiences with Logitech customer service, they've been universally courteous, helpful, KNOWLEDGEABLE (!!!), and dedicated to resolving issues. I haven't had a negative experience with them yet (knock on wood), and the experiences I have had have been impressive.

It's not hyperbole to say I've had the single best customer service experience with this company.

RF is the only way to remote (2008-11-23)
I have owned several Harmony Remotes. The on-line programming is easy, buttons and menues are well laid out and the battery life is good. But aiming the remote at the many devices I use that are kept in a large glass doored entertainment cabinet often required several attempts or use of the help feature (great feature by the way).

When I built a dedicated Home Theatre with a separate equipment closet, I needed an RF unit. I wanted the ease of Harmony programming and both IR and RF. The 890 has been perfect for my complicated application. I have 5 source devices in the equip closet and 2 displays in the room and the Harmony controls all of them with the push of one activity button. The flexibility in programming the individual device functions is easy enough for virtually anyone to do.

Great product!

Nice remote (2008-11-20)
PROS:
- Nice 8 buttons for the LCD screen so there's less flipping to the next page
- No bugs unlike the Logitech Harmony 620 and 670.
- Nice how when I pick it up, it senses the motion and the screen lights up.
- Seems durable in case the kids drop it on the tile floor.
- The IR extender works great.
- Wife and kids love it.
- Terrific Tech support with almost no wait time.
- I like the Harmony 890's button layout much better than the Harmony 620.

CONS:
- The base charger did not make contact with the remote so I exchanged it for another unit and now it makes contact with the remote on the first try.
- Seems I have to charge it every 3-4 days.
- Can't import my photos to represent the icons
- Expensive
- Can only control RF, IR, and Z-wave devices which means it can't control Sony Playstation which uses bluetooth.

WISH LIST:
- Too bad the charger doesn't have a button to press to find/locate the remote like my cordless phone at home to help me find it after other members of my family uses it.

Do not buy this defect-plagued product (2008-11-13)
What a mistake. I am awaiting an RMA for my second replacement of this defect-plagued device. For close to $300 I expect so much more. Logitech has truly underwhelmed with their service and support. The screen on the first device failed, a common problem as you will see if you search the Logitech support forums. I spent an hour on the phone with a customer service agent who had me dismantling my home theater system in order to test individual components. Eventually he concluded that, yes, it was a device problem not an operator problem and that it was a common failure with these devices. They shipped me a new remote and told me to throw away the existing one. After configuring the new remote, which took some figuring because it does not ship with current firmware, it was apparent that the device was defective out of the box. Fine if you never have to select a channel with a 3, 6, or 9 in the number but otherwise a problem. I am now awaiting resolution of this issue and after two calls and promised emails that never arrive, I have written off the product. Save your money and buy an IR extender with a standard remote.