Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Time for a new programmable remote…..

Mike, I'm in a situation similar to yours. My current computer doesn't have a serial connection. I'm still using my old computer, which does, to program my 850.

I don't know much about the 810, 900, and 950, but to add to your confusion Universal Remote is just shipping a new model, the MX-980. Here is some info about it at Remote Central. If you'll click on the Talk about the MX-980 & MRF-260! link at the bottom of the web page, you'll find more recent info on the 980 at the Remote Central Forum. There is also a wealth of info about the other Universal Remote remotes at Remote Central and it's forum.

The 980 is pretty expensive, but remember, if you ask about discounts at Surf Remote Control when the 980 is available there, chances are good you'll be able to get it for substantially less than MSRP.

Also a google search will turn up more comprehensive info on the 980.

For me, it's not even a close contest. To be fair, Harmony does maintain state for TOAD's (Toggle Only Actuated Device), but for me it's not even close.

The Harmony is tough to beat at its price. I have 2 of them.

I just saw that Jack. The 980 looks like the remote to get. I'll have to see what Mike and surf remote is going to sell it for (I buy all my remotes from him).

Hi Mike - been awhile.

I spoke to Mike last Friday (he doesn't have th e980 yet). I wanted to replace my 700 with a second 850 (I guess you can see where my head is at).

There are some simple solutions to the serial thing.

First, a serial card for the PC is dirt cheap and easy to install.

Second, there are USB > Serial Adapters that are available (and a bunch that don't work very well). I asked Mike what adapters are bullet proof and he gave two places to look . First, the Belkin F5U109, second - Keyspan products.

I don't know anything about the monoprice cable shown above.

Hope it helps.

Ray, you are one of the most helpful unemployed people I know.

Why, thank you Tom! I gotta tell you - this retirement thing is the nuts! I recommend it to everybody.

i was just surfing around and found mountsandmore.com has the mx900 fairly cheap. i know a lot of folks over at AVSForum recommend this site for PJ mounts. i have no experience with them. so, just an FYI kind of thing. later.

so... if i was able to get an mx-650 for $130 shipped.. those better than the harmony 880's? I definately like the layout on the mx-650 better. Hmm, I need to find a local store that has them so i can see which feels better in the hand.

Gmorf, it's not just which feels better to you in your hand, but how accessible the buttons are when it is in your hand. The thing I love most about my URC MX-85O, is it's ergonomic layout.

In addition to laying comfortably in my hand, the most used buttons, the ones between the screen at the top of the remote, and the numbered buttons at the bottom (volume, channel, previous channel, mute, guide, info, joystick, etc.), are easily accessible by my thumb, meaning that most operations are one handed. It is possible to use the screen buttons and the numbered buttons with just one hand if your hand is big enough, but, to me, using a second hand is a bit more convenient.

I've no real experience with the Harmony, and would not be a bit surprised if they have equally well designed ergonomics. I mention the above merely to remind you to compare the ergonomics of both to see if you have a preference.