I don't think I suggested that you did disregard my info. This is nothing personal, and that's not the point here. It's to put some flesh on the bones of my original suggestion, and to show in a graphical way what the control screens could look like. However, since you raised some additional points then I'll address each if I may...
I would be OK with the programming and use of that SL but others in my house could struggle.
Good programming means that the remote is easy to use for anyone. It takes minimal instruction, if any, for someone to make full use of the systems function if the control screens and macros are programmed correctly. So the assertion that "someone else would struggle" is self defeating or an admission that the remote isn't programmed that well in the first place. I mean, really, what could be easier than the selections
Switch on the system >
decide what to watch >
operate the source?
I had to consider that they have been used to the harmony i had before.
Fair point. But I would suggest that they had to go through a fairly steep learning curve with the Harmony. Let me put it another way; Having sold and installed a fair number of Harmony's as well as Nevos, Prontos, RTIs and other remotes I think I'm in a fairly good position to give some feedback on how each type was received when first installed.
I had some great feedback from a client recently after installing their Nevo. They'd tried Harmony. The wife wasn't impressed "Too many buttons". They'd also tried an iPhone app with a Bluetooth to IR blaster. That really didn't work well because initial pairing took too long and sending commands was flaky.Going for a Nevo was a big step up financially, and the lady of the house was sceptical. But on first use she said to her husband "I'm embarrassed at how good this is. It just works so well".
Now the good points in all remotes of this nature is that wonderful moment when one button press makes lots of things happen. For someone who has never experienced macros before then that's a bit of a revelation. It always brings a smile and "wow" reaction. Next, it's how effective the macros are. This falls in to two categories.
1) Do all my bits of gear respond 1st time, all the time.
2) Does each of the macros control the gear in the way I want.
If we take a like-for-like comparison of the remotes just working off the IR blaster, then the answer to #1 depends on partly on the power of the blaster. Then the simple fact is that the better quality remotes use far more powerful IR blasters. This significantly improves the chances of commands reaching all the bits of gear in the room from Nevos and Prontos compared to Harmonys.
The answer to #2, in my experience with Harmonys, is that they are a bit too rigid in their programming. One example would be how Harmonys switch off gear that isn't being used. That's okay if you're running only one room. But what if someone is set up to have second or third zone audio, or someone is watching Sky via an RF link in a bedroom or elsewhere. That's far more difficult to accommodate with a Harmony. Now, I appreciate that that's not the case for everyone but the point still stands.
If i'm honest, the other thing which put me off a little was the age of the SL. Didn't it come out in 2005 or something? do they still support such a product?
That's another fair point. But consider that these are made to a higher quality than a remote retailing for under £150. So while older, the technology used hasn't evolved that much over time that there's been anything significant to change or update. They got it right first time. The other thing is that the reliability is better with Nevos and Prontos than with Harmonys. There's been no epidemic of button failure or screen failure that has been an issue for so many Harmony owners.
Even if they do, i like to buy things new where possible so that if/when it goes wrong i stand half a chance of shouting at someone to get it sorted again.
Ah, now we're getting down to the real reasons. Okay.
The reason you need to shout at someone is because the codes don't work or the remote does something in a way that doesn't really work for you. Am I right? That's really not an issue with a Pronto or Nevo or RTI.
Whilst there are download libraries of codes for a huge range of products, you aren't tied to these. It's possible to learn all codes directly from the donor remote. So really there's no excuse for a code not working. I am aware that advanced Harmonys support direct code learning too.
The other issue is the way Harmonys rely on someone else's idea of how you should run your system.
That's really the crux of it, I think. It's that
gherkins-on-your-burger-whether-you-want-them-or-not thing.
Once again, it's a non-issue with Nevos etc. You program the system to work in exactly the way you want. So really, is there any reason left to shout at anyone?
As I said before, Nevos etc aren't for everyone. What Harmony tries to offer is a one-size-fits-all solution, and for a lot of people that's okay because it does what they need at a reasonably affordable price. A new Nevo, Pronto or RTI would have been way out of their budget anyway. However, there are used remotes going for a song. So my purpose is just to give you guys a head-up and say there is another way, and that it offers some distinct advantages. You've placed your order and I don't believe you'd have bought anything other than another Harmony because it's what you know. But for other readers looking at the thick end of £150 to replace a previous Harmony that's now broken..... You get my drift.
