Harmony 520 Remotes Under $30

[FIREBIRD81]

HAve had a 520 for about a year. Best remote I have ever owned. I have never seen an all-in-one remote that integrates so well.

 

[cparker]

Harmony is your EASY BUTTON!

Until you've used an "Activities Based" remote (rather than a Device Based remote) you won't know what you're missing.

On a device based remote you want to watch something on satellite (and let's say you have an AV receiver as well)

Set remote to TV
Turn on TV
Set input to whatever input the satellite receiver goes to (I send video direct from device to TV and have AV receiver handling audio only)

Set remote to AV receiver
turn on AV receiver
set input

set remote to satellite receiver
turn on

sheeeesh


With an activities based remote:

select "I want to watch something on satellite" (usually the button text is far less than that but you get the idea)

DONE!

An activities based remote selects all the correct inputs, turns on all the correct equipment for the activity.

Also.. when you're done..... one button shuts everything off.

I will NEVER use a device-based remote again.

 

[Rey]

Yes. Just create two activities and configure them accordingly: one with TV only (and perhaps the satellite box), another one with TV, receiver, etc.

(rey_1178 beat me by a second )

 

[waltinvt]

I'm sorry I didn't see this thread earlier or I'd have advised you guys to think twice about this remote - at any price. While it does do the things Harmony remotes are noted for, this particular model is not constructed very well. Very dainty and won't last long under the pressure a normal man will usually exert on it. The upper half is very thin and can actually bend under normal pressure to the upper buttons. After a while the slight bending that occurs will crack the circuit board and some of the buttons will stop working. Probably why there's such a good deal on them. The 670 is more money but no where near what the other over-priced models are and it's built much better than the 520.

 

[gadgtfreek]

I can tell its kinda cheap. Ive been gentle with it. This is a test for me, and if im happy, ill look into one of the better ones like a 880.

 

[Ronnie-]

I'm sorry I didn't see this thread earlier or I'd have advised you guys to think twice about this remote - at any price. While it does do the things Harmony remotes are noted for, this particular model is not constructed very well. Very dainty and won't last long under the pressure a normal man will usually exert on it. The upper half is very thin and can actually bend under normal pressure to the upper buttons. After a while the slight bending that occurs will crack the circuit board and some of the buttons will stop working. Probably why there's such a good deal on them. The 670 is more money but no where near what the other over-priced models are and it's built much better than the 520.

Appreciate the heads up :up, even though I already bought a few. I will just have to be careful with them. If they do break, but they also perform how people here say, I will upgrade to a better model with better build quality

 

[gadgtfreek]

Yeah, this is a trial run with Harmony for me.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Yeah, mine showed as well. Going to set one of them up right now.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I did the software install, and it seemed to work without a problem, and it is controlling the 722 and sony xbr; it does not seem to want to control the sony Av receiver, even though it supposedly knows the device. Not sure what I did wrong.

I do like the activity concept; but am finding the remote a bit difficult to use. Like, what stinking button is the equivalent of the all important DVR button on the 722 remote?

 

[gadgtfreek]

I downloaded a newer version from the website, as opposed to whats on the cd.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I downloaded a newer version from the website, as opposed to whats on the cd.

So did I, based on what was written here. Never opened the CD. BUT I can't say I am impressed at this point. I might be putting the unopened one up on the classified pretty soon.

I just really like having a DVR button; I guess I can find a way to program it, but I am leery.

 

[tigerfan33]

So did I, based on what was written here. Never opened the CD. BUT I can't say I am impressed at this point. I might be putting the unopened one up on the classified pretty soon.

I just really like having a DVR button; I guess I can find a way to program it, but I am leery.

Call the Harmony tech support and they will put every function you want on your remote. All you have to do is have your remote hooked up to your computer via usb and you will get your dvr button. I did and got my dvr button.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Call the Harmony tech support and they will put every function you want on your remote. All you have to do is have your remote hooked up to your computer via usb and you will get your dvr button. I did and got my dvr button.

I will try that tomorrow; also need to re-install the driver for the SONY receiver; it is not talking to it; not sure why.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

If ANYONE in the pub wants one of these Harmony 520s, send me a PM. I definitely will not be using the second one I bought; and will sell it at cost. $30. I figure I'd post in the pub first, and then go to the classifieds if no one is interested.

I'll keep the one I opened, and use it as a second remote, but I don't see myself putting my Dish Remote in a drawer.

 

[HDRoberts]

I do like the activity concept; but am finding the remote a bit difficult to use. Like, what stinking button is the equivalent of the all important DVR button on the 722 remote?

You can reprogram one of the softkeys (buttons next to the LCD) to be the DVR key. I killed the aspect ratio control as I don't use that often. Tech support can probably do that for you.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

You can reprogram one of the softkeys (buttons next to the LCD) to be the DVR key. I killed the aspect ratio control as I don't use that often. Tech support can probably do that for you.

Thanks. Also sent a PM to you.

 

[KAB]

Call the Harmony tech support and they will put every function you want on your remote. All you have to do is have your remote hooked up to your computer via usb and you will get your dvr button. I did and got my dvr button.

Which button did it end up being?

 

[cparker]

I did the software install, and it seemed to work without a problem, and it is controlling the 722 and sony xbr; it does not seem to want to control the sony Av receiver, even though it supposedly knows the device. Not sure what I did wrong.

I do like the activity concept; but am finding the remote a bit difficult to use. Like, what stinking button is the equivalent of the all important DVR button on the 722 remote?

Sony AV receivers typically have 2 control sets. I think you need it on control set 1 for the Harmony to control it. I have 2 Sony receivers and the Harmony 880 controls both of them.

DVR button I just programmed to a soft key rather than a hard button.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Mine arrived yesterday. I'm glad it came then as opposed to today with me having to wait at home until it arrives before I can go up to my dad's for Xmas eve party.

I did read a few criticisms about the structure and makeup of the remote itself. But I figure it's better to try a lower end model first before I invest in a Harmony One that costs nearly 5x as much.

 

[snathanb]

Sony AV receivers typically have 2 control sets. I think you need it on control set 1 for the Harmony to control it. I have 2 Sony receivers and the Harmony 880 controls both of them.

I'll second that. I've had a couple of Sony receivers, and I've always had to switch to the other control set to get my Harmony remotes to work with them.