How do logitech justify the price of harmony remotes?

Radiation

Radiation

Radiation

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12 Oct 2003
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Considering what they do and the technology involved is pretty basic, how do logitech justify charging what they do for what amounts to a fancy programmable remote control?

I usually like logitech stuff but after looking for a cheap universal programmable remote controller i can't find anything for around £30 or less that's any good, they want at least £40 for their most basic version that's actually useful (there's a crippled version for less) and don't get me started on the artificial limitation with the number of devices you can use one with, i just don't get it?
 
Becasue people will pay it? Like you say, you cannot find a decent one for less than £30, so what have you found thats comparable? I do not have, nor do I need a universal remote!
 
The Harmony One is the single best thing I've purchased for a while. The only small gripe I have is that it should support RF and Bluetooth as well as infrared, which would it make it compatible with Boxee Box and PS3 without the need for additional adaptor units.

For controlling all of my home cinema setup though, its invaluable.
 
Not too long ago, the 525 and 555 models were reasonably priced and fully featured but now the entry level remotes are indeed pretty much crippled in terms of how many devices they replace etc.

I have to say, having used my 555 for nearly 2 years now, and prior to that having used a Phlips Pronto for several years I have to say that programming the Logitech is well worth the money in itself!

The pronto was a hugely more powerful device and was so versatile when it came to programming it, you could do anything you wanted but it was much more fiddly!

The current crop of entry level Harmonys is very disappointing!
 
I only bought the Harmony 900 because I got a 50% off voucher. Even then it was very expensive. However I would say that it is an awesome remote. Harmony remotes are very customisable and also the Harmony remotes are reasonably priced in comparison to some of the other programmable remotes that can be upwards of £400.
 
You are crazy! The harmony remotes are amazing fornthe money. The versatility and ease of use is unsurpassed at their price point! The 1000 series with the wifi addon is getting close to the crestrion kit and their remotes cost thousands. The harmony one is amazing for the money! Save up for one buddy u won't regret it
 
£40 for a decent remote with a usable LCD seems fair enough, not entirely sure what you're expecting them to justify really. They can charge what they like.
 
The Logitech support is great, the LCD screen cracked on mine (due to someone sitting on it) and they sent me an entire new remote with just emailing them a picture of the damage. They do block the old one for any online stuff or upgrades though.
 
you may think they are expensive, but when compared to the competition they are a bargain + have much better customer support + software is complete and easy to use

got my harmony one for about £60, when they had a deal a while back on them. honestly do not regret making that purchase at all and was totally worth it.
 
With Harmony, Logitec has commoditised the activity-based programmable remote control. It's more than just a learning remote.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's comparable with Crestron or Pronto or Nevo or any of the proper touchscreen remotes. It is still a long way off matching their functionality and customisability. What Harmony has done is make it very easy for a home enthusiast to have simple macro and context sensitive control functions in an easy to program package. There are some very obvious limitations, but for most people that's less important than the benefit of one-button control.

If you believe that these devices are expensive then by all means have a go at coming up with a rival. There's plenty of smartphones with IR adapters that can mimic remote control functions. Once you try to replicate any good universal remote you'll come to realise that the power isn't in the hardware... it's the programming. That is something that is a real skill. I know, because I do it for a living. I program Prontos, Nevos, RTIs and various other hi-tec remotes.
 
Love my harmony one.

Just think it's so neat to be able to press "Watch a blu-ray" and bang, on comes my TV, blu ray player comes on, av amp comes on and chooses the right input, all in one hit.

£100 well spent for me. And the setup is a dream.
 
I too love my harmony one. 2nd nature now to use it. In fact dont think i have used the normal remotes in over a year.

It does everything I need, easy to add new devices.

Totally worth the £70 or so I paid for it 2 years ago.
 
i bought the harmony one a few months ago,infact amazon uk sent another 1 by mistake so i have a brand new 1 in the box that isnt getting used,the other 1 jst sits there not getting used etheir,it is a nice remote but i end up jst picking up the old remote as i know where all the buttons are,a big waste of money for me ?
 
I've had a 555 for 3-4 years and it's great. I found the setup a little infuriating, but that's usually down to the chosen hardware - sorted it in the end though. It's replaced 5 remotes in my living room which is fantastic, I only dig them out if I need to mess around in the settings on any of the devices as it's just easier, which is almost never.

Think I paid around £50 for mine at the time, not expensive for what it is tbh. Telephone support it great also, because the software you install requires an Internet connection, they're able to log in remotely and update your remote rather than talking you through it on the phone!
 
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