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Posted By: player8 Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 03:26 AM
I know that the Universal remotes subject has been covered many a time but I'll kindly ask once more. My dad is looking to get a Universal remote and we (I've) decided to get a Harmony because they have them at BB and since my brother works there, the remotes come to about half off after the employee discount. So of the 676, 680, and 880, what are the "meaningful" differences between the three? Simplicity is of the utmost importance as it will be for my mother and father. I will be programming the remote, but ease of setup would be nice as well.

My father's components are as follows:

Denon 884 AVR
Denon 5 disc CD/DVD player
Hitachi RPTV
Scientific Atlanta cable box

So other than the drop-dead sexy looks of the 880, what else justifies its price over the other remotes?
Posted By: Ken.C Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 03:45 AM
The 676 and 680 are essentially the same unit with a different key layout. I think (and I could be very wrong, yet again...) that the 880 has similar internal hardware, but includes a color screen (with 8 buttons instead of the 4 on the others!), even more same shaped buttons pressed together reminiscent of Ford factory radios in the early 90s, and a charging base station.

Now that's a run on sentence.
Posted By: player8 Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 04:12 AM
So what you are saying is, is that any of the remotes will work the same for what my parents need it to do? With the recharging station on the 880 how long does that Lithion-ion battery last between charges? How much difference does the color screen make?

Just a few more questions.
Posted By: thyname Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 04:57 AM
Just get the 880 if you can get discounted. I have it and am more than happy. Color screen is cool and I also have put the logos for 16 favorite channels to watch tv. Battery lasted 11 days after the first charge for me.
Posted By: snakeyes Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 12:03 PM
i agree if you can get the 880 for about $125 with discount then go for it.
Posted By: Zarak Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 12:17 PM
I just got the 680 and it is working fine. A couple of minor tweaks were needed, but I was able to call support and get someone on the phone in 5 minutes or less. Everything looks to be working fine now. I looked at the 880, but didn't see enough benefit to it to justify the extra cost. I was considering the 676 as well, but found a deal where the 680 was about $40 less, so that made the choice easy.
Posted By: player8 Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/02/05 11:58 PM
Thanks for the replies fellas. While the $125 is a great price for the 880 I'm still trying to figure out the "usable" advantages of it over the others. It will only be for four components and a $50 difference is still a $50 difference. Ah hell, I'll just tell my pop to spring for the 880.
$125? Where?
Posted By: thyname Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 03:43 AM
In reply to:


While the $125 is a great price for the 880 I'm still trying to figure out the "usable" advantages of it over the others




Are you kiding me?!!! For $125?!!! Just get it ASAP, I am telling you, it is worth it! I got mine for full msrp price on $250 plus VA tax, and am very happy with it. Buying an older version is a sin with that price!
Posted By: bugbitten Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 01:39 PM
Yes. Where?

I'll buy 2 or 3 more at that price and give them as presents.
Posted By: MarkSJohnson Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 02:17 PM
Guys:
Read the original post.... that price is only with an employee discount:

In reply to:

they have them at BB and since my brother works there, the remotes come to about half off after the employee discount.



Posted By: bugbitten Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 06:36 PM
OK. Which one of you guys (gals) has a sibling or other relative with discount status at BB? Can they order 880s by the case?

Posted By: player8 Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 06:49 PM
I'll be telling my bro to get the 880 for my dad. If you wanna know about great discounts, cables is where its at. I know, I know, you all already know about Monster, AR, and the like, but the USB/Computer cables are an even bigger ripoff. My parents bought a new printer a few months back and bought a new USB cable with it. MSRP: 29.99 BB employee price: 1.26.

I couldn't believe it either. I'm just hoping my brother (or at least one of his friends) stays at BB long enough until I an afford a Samsung DLP. Roughly a $1000 discount if any of you are wondering...

Oh, and the actual price of the 880 is $114.
Posted By: Ken.C Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 06:54 PM
Manufacturing price for usb cable: $.30. Well, not sure about that, but my company has a cable company subsidiary. It's a huge markup... Not quite as bad as that markup, but still pretty bad. Or good, depending on which side of the equation you're on...
Posted By: richeydog Re: Harmony Remotes Revisited, Again... - 08/03/05 08:45 PM
In reply to:

Yes. Where?
I'll buy 2 or 3 more at that price and give them as presents.


Am I on your A list?
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