Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater MX 700 or 800 or ??

After doing a search, I believe Ray’s Voodoo got me. I’m going to buy one of those MX remotes. But which one?? Price isn’t really that big of an issue for me, as I only want to do this once. Should I go for the 700, 800, 850 or 650 or other?
I need two remotes actually. One for the upstairs HT and one for the second zone stereo downstairs. I have dish net (501), the two dvd players, the HK and the TV upstairs. Downstairs I have the M80’s with the LFM running off the HK’s second zone through a remote sensor. The remote sensor lets me control the HK and one other devise upstairs, which happens to be the Integra universal player. So no matter what I go with, I’ll still need two remotes. Now, I have to remember to carry the Integra remote up/down the stairs.
Does the MX 700 come with the second remote or not? Depending on where I look, it is listed as a standard package, and other places make no mention of this. What about the 800 or 850? Any advantages?

The primary advantage to the 850, 800, and 650 is that they are capable of emitting both IR (infrared) and RF (radio frequency) signals, while the 700 is IR only. You can read about the advantages RF can provide here.

The RF capability is, I believe, the only difference between the 700 and 800. These are both recently discontinued models and can be found online for very nice prices. If you want or need RF capability, I’d stick to the 650 or 850. So far, the big difference between the 650 and 850 that I've been able to determine, is that the 850 uses the computer software for programming. If so, I'd eliminate the 650. I LOVE being able to program my MX-700 on the computer.

That would narrow it down to the MX-700 or MX-850. If you want, or need, RF capability then the 850 is the one for you at $499.00.

The new models, the 650 and the 850, have a redesigned "Select" button in the center of the joystick that should be a slight improvement over the same button in the 700. I think the new models also have “new laser etched buttons.”

More info on all these models can be found here.

Being discontinued, I don’t think you can find an MX-700 with the accompanying MX-200 sidekick anymore. They stopped making the sidekick some time ago, and I’ve not been able to find one anywhere. So, if you go the MX-700 route, be sure to pick up an open box model, for around $180 at either SurfRemoteControl, or at BlueDo. Both are authorized dealers, so the remote will be completely warranted.

If you want the RF capability, and/or the new “Select” button, and/or laser etched buttons, then the 850 is the considerably more expensive thing for you at $499.00. You can get the 850 without the MRF250 Base Station for $399.00, but you lose the RF capability without the Base Station. The 850 is available at both the above web sites, or you can look for it on EBay for considerably less money, but no warranty. To further complicate the 850 I’ve seen it called the “Orion,” and I’ve seen it called the “Aeros.” I have no idea what that’s all about.

Good luck, and holler if you have more questions.

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To further complicate the 850 I’ve seen it called the “Orion,” and I’ve seen it called the “Aeros.” I have no idea what that’s all about.

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Well...don't you think you or Ray need to find out?

I love my MX-700!

I learned everything I need to know about MX- remotes from Jack.

The Orion/Aeros is the same remote (MX850). It was a name change after introduction. I'd expect that a call to Mike at SurfRemoteControl would yield a lower price than $499 on the MX-850 (MRF-250 RF base) or $399 for the 850 itself.

Whichever you pick, you will really enjoy it.

At some point, I need to get with you guys about the remotes in my system ... I have the learning remote that came with the Emotica DMC-1 ... and really should program it ...

Craig, that Emo remote is a re-badged MX-500. It's a very good remote. The MX-700 is just a step up, in that you use a computer program to create the setup, and then download the setup to the remote, kinda like the RDES. Although, knowing how computer challenged you are, in your case, that may not be an asset. .

The 850 is basically the same as the 700, only it has RF capability as well as IR, a redesigned "Select" button, and laser etched buttons. The RF capability makes it more versatile if you have your equipment hidden out of sight, since the RF signal can go through cabinet doors, and even walls, while IR is line of sight communication.

Download the MX Programming Manual and the MX Editor Software, install the software on your computer and fool around with it. I found it helpful to print the manual, although it's 71 pages including the Table Of Contents, and Index. Needless to say, I printed on both sides of the page. I just find it easier to read a hard copy than a computer version.

Call me anytime and I'll try to answer any questions you may have. It will be easier to explain on the phone than by email. Anything I can't help you with, Ray can. He's a big liar. He taught me everything I know, which is why my remote is all screwed up!

I got the MX-850 from BlueDo for $380 USD Shipped, and I loves it

Get it, you won't regret it, I sure don't.

- D

OK Ray, you voodoo’ed me.

I just got off the phone with Mike and placed an order. He sold me an open box MX-850 for $199, an open box MX-350 for $99, and a new MF 250 base station for the 850 and 350. I’ll keep the 850 upstairs with the HT and the 350 downstairs for the second zone stereo. I only listen to CD’s and satellite stereo off the DishNet 501 downstairs, so I should be able to program the 350 fairly easily without the computer interface. With shipping I got all that for just under $400, and with the “as new” warrantee.

Thanks for all your help and the email you sent me. I have some playing to do in a couple days when my new toys arrive. Seeing how I’m hobbling around on crutches for a few weeks, I’ll actually have time to set these suckers up to get me a cocktail and play DVD’s with the push of one button. LOL

Regards………….mike

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hobbling around on crutches

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what happened? or have you already said, and i just missed it?

hope your healing goes well.

bigjohn

MIke - excellent!! Sounds like you are all set. If you bump into any problems, let me know.

Ray

Wow Mike...you made out like a bandit!

Well……, short story is I really should start acting my age and get rid of my snow machines and dirt bikes. I don’t bounce back from reckless accidents like I did when I was in my twenties.

Long story…., is my trip up the mountain was more graceful than my tumble down. After very rapid decent of about 1000 feet from the top of a 60 deg 2500’ hill side, Trigger threw me, then I cushioned his fall with my ankle, back, chest and shoulders the rest of the way down. Good thing it wasn’t all ice and the slope had some snow cover over the ice.

Thanks for asking and the healing wishes.

Yes, I’m pretty happy with the deal that Mike gave me. For contractual reasons with Universal, he can’t list everything he has as an “open box”, so if anyone is looking for a particular remote not in the "hot buys link", you ought to call him. And thanks again Ray for sending me his contact information. I think he knows you now……LOL.

Well I got my new toys, two days after my order. Don’t really know what an open box gizmo is supposed to look like, but I can’t tell if they have been ever used before or not. They even have that “new smell” to them. The 850 is an amazing piece of electronics. I’m totally overwhelmed by its versatility. I’m certain that it can be programmed to bring me a beer if I try hard enough! There seams to be no limit to what a person with plenty of spare time can program this thing to do. The 350 is also a marvel, but I favor the computer interface of the 850. Fortunately, I don’t need the 350 to do much, so the manual programming isn’t that daunting. However, if you do have a complex system, I’d most definitely recommend going with a model that you can set up with a PC.

One more thing, they are bigger than I had visualized. Not huge, but definitely big enough to bludgeon someone into submission, if that need were to present itself. So keep that in mind if you have small hands or like palm sized remotes.

Thanks again Ray for the recomendation, and Mike for his help and support of his products.

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Well……, short story is I really should start acting my age and get rid of my snow machines and dirt bikes. I don’t bounce back from reckless accidents like I did when I was in my twenties.

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Never did the snowmobiles, would be difficult at best down here in south Florida but I've spent some time on a dirt bike or two, last one was KTM 400 thumper which I really like. My 18 year old son is headed off to the dealership today or tomorrow to buy a new RMz-450 thumper. Can't wait to give 'er her a try myself.

Congrats on the remote!

Your assessment is exactly the same as mine, Mike. They are GREAT remotes, and the computer setup is the berries. I'm totally spoiled.

Now ya gotta get an X-10 set up so you can control your lights with the 850. . Ask Ray. Using X-10, I can even turn my in-wall AC unit on and off with the 850.

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Ask Ray

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No way. Every time Curtis or I ask Ray something, it just costs money.

I was going to sell the KX-250 and buy a CR-450, but now I'm thinking about slowing down and pre-ordering a new Mustang, Shelby GT-500. At least then I'd have four wheels on the ground and still get my 'need for speed' satisfied. The ER is getting to know my by my first name. -that's not a good sign....

The Dollar Doctor is IN!!!

Glad you like the stuff Mike.

I know what you mean, I last raced hare scrambles a couple of years ago at 45 years of age and the old bones just don't cure like they did at one time. We had a guy that was almost 70 years old racing, of course he was the only one in his age class group so he always won. I really liked the 400 for those races and dust it off every now and then for a ride, son rides it most often. I'm anxious to take the son's new 450 for a spin, should be fun. Those new Mustangs are really sweet, out of all of the new 'vintage' cars, the Mustang is the only one that turns my head to see if it was actually the original or the new one. Especially on the interstate from the opposite lane.

OK, I'm also looking for a remote and am trying to decide between the MX-700 and the Harmony 880.

The Harmony won't be hitting the shelves until early may so that's a point in favor of the MX. The Harmony will be about $20 cheaper and will be rechargeable, both points in it's favor. Both are software programmable, so that's a push. Anybody have any experience with both brands (I know no one will have specific experience with the 880 but controls should be similar to ther models) who can share any insight?

I'm not sure what the Harmony price is, but SurfRemote Control has the MX-850 at $239 and open box (when they have them) at $199.

The MX-700 may be tough to find as supplies dwindle.

Do a search on the forum for MX-700. There are a couple of in-depth threads from Sep-Nov last year.

I'll go check the site, but what's the advantage of the 880 vs. older Harmony remotes?