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 enlarge | Brand: Logitech
Category: CE
List Price: $399.95
Buy New: $279.99
You Save: $119.96 (30%)
New (62)
Avg. Customer Rating:  429 reviews
Media: Accessory
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 11.7 x 9.2 x 3.1
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: 966193-0403
Model: 966193-0403
UPC: 097855036889
EAN: 0840356439778
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 I changed my mind, it is ready for prime time! February 8, 2006
19 out of 22 found this review helpful
Well I've had this remote for about 18 months now and during that time Logitech has steadily improved the firmware for this product so that it's now pretty stable and works well. I also recently had an incident where the LCD on the remote stopped working, who know why. I got a prompt response from Logitech customer service with some initial steps to perform. After the LCD still did not work, Logitech replaced it. Good job Logitech, you stand behind your products, steadily improve them and provide a good deal of support. If you need RF capabilities then buy this product, it's now easy to set up, it's stable and a great company stands behind it.
Takes Time To Setup, But An Impressive Remote September 24, 2006
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
I was a little skeptical, but after reading some online magazine and user reviews, I decided to give this remote a try. Like others have said, it takes time to get the remote set up. I spent the better part of an afternoon setting everything up and testing and changing the settings numerous times. But once it's done, it's a great remote. I would have to say the included instructions did not provide me with too much useful information. Out of the box, you'll need to install the lithium-ion battery in the remote and then charge using the included charger.
I took others' advice and just installed the latest Harmony software from the Logitech site. Upon opening the software (which connects to the internet), you'll have to initially set up a username and password. The remote and wireless rf extender use the same included usb cable to connect to your pc. After signing in and connecting the remote, an online firmware update was found which prompted a download and update of the firmware (same when connecting the wireless rf extender).
When setting up the remote, you are prompted to enter the brand and model number of your components (one by one). If the brand and model is in the online database, the commands will be stored in the remote. I've added 8 components for control so far (Sony Widescreen RPTV; Denon A/V receiver; Denon DVD; Pioneer DVD; Sony DVD Recorder; Scientific Atlanta HD Cable Box; DirecTV HD Receiver; and Sony VHS). I'm currently not using the wireless rf extender (I guess I could have purchased the Harmony 880 instead???). The Sony vhs and dvd recorder were the only components not fully recognized initially. The software prompted me to use the original remotes to send some commands to the Harmony before they were fully added as components. There's also an option if you don't have the original remotes as well as being able to manually specify a remote action.
After adding your components, you'll need to define `activities' such as "watch a dvd" or "listen to a cd," etc. Once you're done adding components and setting the activities and saving them, you'll then need to transfer/update these settings to the remote using the connected usb cable by pressing the `update remote' button on the home page of the remote software.
There is much flexibility in setting what components turn on and also in choosing a setting for the component. For example, when choosing what I defined as my "watch denon dvd" activity, the tv, dvd and a/v receiver turn on; the tv changes to input 7 (dvi) and the receiver changes to its dvd input. This all happens with a press of one button as these were the actions that I defined for this activity in the software setup. If I subsequently press the activity button for "play vcr", the remote turns both the receiver and dvd player off, turns the vcr on and sets the tv input to channel 3. You define and name your activity. Once the activities are set up, the remote is relatively simple to use. In other words, your spouse/family members/friends can actually turn on and use your tv without you having to explain multiple remote controls.
There is also the option of controlling a specific component by pressing the `device' button on the remote. Depending on the component and how the commands were stored in the remote, you can use either or both of the commands displayed in the lcd portion of the remote or the command buttons on the lower part of the remote. There is also a global `off' button that can be used to turn all components off. The remote also seems to be motion activated, e.g., the backlight turns on when you move the remote. Very handy in the dark.
excrutiating frustration March 8, 2006
18 out of 23 found this review helpful
In all honesty, I feel like Logitech should be held legally liable for selling a product which is so far from functional.
I'm very technically adept and have been committed to getting this thing to work. The remote shows moments of great potential, but those moments are brief compared to the 15-20 hours I have personally spent on the phone with Logitech, and at least double that amount of time on my own.
Tech support have been extremely polite and patient, but they have not been able to make up for the poor software and apparent lack of any real QA or beta testing.
At this point I'm stuck - the remote will not synch with the extender and is therefore totally useless. Version "4" of the extender firmware was supposed to be a magic bullet, but the remote won't accept the file. I have yet to hear back on what the next step should be.
They tell me my recourse is to force the merchant to accept the return, even though I'm now well outside their return period. It burns me up that I'm supposed to dispute this via my credit card, harming the innocent merchant, while Logitech escapes without real consequence.
Also, beware of positive reviews for the 880. That's a totally different product and is apparently much more stable than the 890.
 Great remote for the price December 1, 2006
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I bought the Harmony 890 from Amazon 1 month ago and I recommend it highly!
The 890 is easy to program with the PC based software. The software uses a wizard to lead you through the setup. All you have to do is to tell the wizard the make and model of a component to be controlled and it automatically knows all of the functions provided by the original component remote and will load all of those functions into the 890. Then the wizard asks you what function you want to use your components for (eg: Watch TV), which components you want to use and then which component to use to perform basic functions (ie: Volume control, change channels, etc.)and that is it.
You could get really fancy and go to specific channels, etc.
I use My Harmony 890 to control 3 TVs, 3 DVD players, 2 Satellite Receivers, 1 VCR and a digital AV receiver that does video switching. I have set it up by function (ie: Watch HD TV, Watch HD DVD, Listen to CDs,Watch Bedroom TV, etc.). It does this almost flawlessly.
The RF transmitter feature of the remote enables you to operate AV equipment from anywhere in the house. It will not operate other RF equipment directly so you have to option them to accept IR signals and then they work as before.
The IR transmitter function of the 890 and the remote transceiver are very
powerful so you don't have to be very precise in pointing.
When you activate the help function on the remote it starts a wizard that asks you simple questions to correct a problem. For instance, if you activate a function and one of the components does not do what it was supposed to do it will ask you questions, correct the problem and remember what it did.
What amazes me the most is that the 890 remembers the status of all of the AV components. Pushing a single OFF button will turn off the components that you were using. In addition, you can be in one function and then switch to another and the 890 will turn off those components not being used anymore and turn on components needed for the new function. If a component is common to both functions (eg: AV Receiver) it will leave it on and make any changes needed to perform the new function. I love this!!
One annoying thing is that when you download new functions or changes to the 890 you must always also update the remote transceiver. This can be a logistical problem if the transceiver is not located close to your PC. This is a minor annoyance for me.
As was mentioned in other reviews, you have to be careful when placing the 890 on it recharging cradle.
I have used a $400+ Pronto remote and this blows it away.
The size is right, the display is in color and easy to read. I have big hands and I have no problem with the buttons on the remote.
Buy it, you'll love it!
 Getting better quickly February 10, 2006
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
This remote was plagued with many problems initially:
- RF receiver lock ups
- remote lock ups
- firmware update procedure flakey
- initial s/w install on PC touchy; if it can't connect to logitech at initial install there is no way to update to a working version
- completely dead out of the box, 100% doorstop
- No documentation/help 890 specific, non-obvious to upgrade from 880
IMO it was barely beta quality as released in Jan. I've had very good response from support however and clearly they're trying to fix this thing. The versions of the firmware at this writing (1.4/1.4) are performing much better and the device is actually useful.
My remaining complaints are intermittent lockups of the remote itself (with new firmware promised 'soon'), and sluggish performance (key presses take a long while to transmit from the RF extender intermittently, as long as 5 seconds sometimes).
I see no good RF alternative; I was forced to RF to combat severe IR noise from a new Samsung LCD TV. Previously I used an 880 and was happy with it, you would expect this is as good as the 880 and it certainly has the potential to be.
Unless you really need RF right now and are willing to spend a few hours getting this working I would not recommend it quite yet. If they continue with their focus and bring it to late beta or release quality before moving on to the next thing it will be a great product.
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