Logitech Harmony 880 Review

8/10

The Logitech Harmony 880 is a leap ahead of many other universal remotes on the market.

Buy it Now:

Highs: Has a color screen; uses the PC to program it; works as advertised; attractive design

Lows: Requires you plug the remote into the wall for charging;

Sex appeal come to your home theater with the new Logitech Harmony 880 remote control. It comes with a beautiful color display and looks like a million bucks.

Summary

No matter how many times I think I’ve found the cure to my out-of-control remotes, I always end up disappointed. Much as I’d like to get one clicker to handle everything, I’ve never quite been able to whittle down my infrared fiddlesticks to a single magic wand. So it was with some degree of skepticism that I tackled the Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote from Logitech.

Design and Features


 


The first thing you notice about the Harmony 880 is not the appealing 64K color screen (that’s the second thing) but the large charging dock that comes with it—the one that connects to an AC outlet. Since color touchscreens use a lot of power compared with monochrome displays that can last months on a single set of AAA cells, you need an outlet nearby to re-energize the device. Logitech rates the battery life of this lithium-ion rechargeable at one week. I knocked out one of three bars in an afternoon.


           


Harmony remote controls borrow from an impressive database of codes stored at Harmonyremote.com. Like other remotes in the Harmony lineup, the 880 operates up to 15 devices and 255 commands. Its Help button troubleshoots common problems, and prompts you through fixes when necessary. The remote has a backlight to illuminate buttons in a dimly lit room. Customizable buttons are available for each activity. For codes not known by the huge Harmony library, you can teach codes to the Harmony from the original by holding the two head to head. The device is compatible with Windows 98SE and later PCs and Mac OS X 10.2 and later.


           


Fifty-three buttons are included on the 8.1 x 2.3 x 1.3-inch device, with eight on-screen activity buttons for macros, or sequential commands. One smart extra is an aspect ratio button that appears on each video activity to let you quickly switch between 4:3 and 16:9 according to program material–without navigating menus.


 


Logitech Harmony 880
Image Courtesy of Logitech

Conclusion

 

Remote control is hardly a perfect science. Combine the functions of thousands of remotes speaking various languages into strings of commands operating at different speeds, and you’ve got a constantly evolving database of complicated codes and communication.  The only universal remotes I’ve seen that worked flawlessly are expensive touchscreen-based remotes requiring hours and hours of painstaking programming. Custom installation pros can charge $2,000 or more for the service.

           

At $249, the Harmony 880 offers a good alternative. It offers easy setup, distinguishing features and a patient toll-free customer support team as backup. The more complicated your system, the more important the latter will be, but I found the tech support friendly and helpful each time I called.  

           

On the down side, I don’t like having to plug my remote into an outlet. It’s not convenient and just adds another unwelcome wire to the living room.

           

I appreciate how much work has gone into the Harmony process. I have my work cut out for me to tweak the custom buttons to my satisfaction, but Harmony has the tools I need to make it happen. The Logitech Harmony 880 is a leap ahead of many other universal remotes on the market.

 

Pros:

 


-          Beautiful color display


-          Works as advertised


-          Compatible with tons of products


-          Attractive design

 

Cons:

 


-          Requires a docking station that plugs into the wall for charging


-          Takes time to program

Performance

 

           

My first command was Watch TV. In theory, the TV would go on and switch to input 2. Instead, the TV went on, the cable box went off and the input didn’t change from its last setting on input 3. I used the help button on the remote, which prompted me to turn on the cable box and switch inputs on the TV with the Hitachi remote. The 880 help wizard asked if that solved the problem. It did, but three remotes were required which defeated the purpose of a universal remote.

           

When I switched to Watch TiVo, TiVo turned off from its on state and there was no TiVo button to bring up the menu of programs I had stored.

           

Next I hit Listen to Radio 2

  • Brian
    There are so many issues to cover. I have never phoned logitech support at all, and i have resolved almost every problem you have/had. First of all, if your going to leave your cable box or tivo on all the time, you can set up your remote so that is does not turn them on or off when switching between various activities.

    Secondly, one should realize very quickly that one flaw that this remote has is that when you want to, say watch a dvd, any devices that are off will be turned on, BUT any devices that are on will be turned off (as long as you are not switching between activities that use the same device). I think this would resolve half of your frustrations.

    As for the rechargable remote, I don't see have you could have liked this feature. I mean, how would you recharge the remote with no cord or docking station. Wireless recharging? I haven't seen that technology yet! Oh, so you are want to use batteries, theres an upside! Be realistic, rechargable remotes is the best thing.

    And on the battery life, maybe you should wait atleast a week before you write a review so that you can accurately describe the battery life. Yes, the battery life indicator is not accurate, but you probably didn't know that when you wrote the review. My remote does the same thing, basically as soon as it comes off the charger, it looses one bar. But my remote lasts for over a week and a half and I consider myself an above average channel flipper, obviously higher usage.

    Overall, I think this review is well.... I can't decide, first I think it sucks, but then i realize that this person has not used the remote enough to give it an accurate review.

    So that's where i leave it, when reviewing products, at least recognize when you haven't used the remote long enough, or at least don't comment on something you didn't take the time to test (battery life).
  • Will
    I have been using harmony for a few years now and have nothing but positive things to say of them.

    It takes a bit of time to truely understand the setup process but once your up and running - anyone can handle my rather complicated AV system. I have had all the same issues the reviewer had with my first harmony - but not after learning how to set it up.

    This is a great product - the color LCD was the only that differentiated it from the more expensive models and even now that gone.....

    Im willing to bet this will be a successful product.

    Happy harmony customer.
  • Master K
    I have looked at the Pho=illips Prontos and other remote costing between $600 and $1000 and have never been able to make myself part with that much for a remote. I have stuck with One-For_all remote with JP1 custom programming. This remote was a low enough price point for me to give it a try. It does things that a regualr learning remote could never think of doing and it is so easy to use it passes the mother-in-law test. As for the batteries the chager can go anywere and only needs to be docked for about an hours every 4 days or so. That is not badd at all. Most of the reviewers other complaints can all be easily solved in a few min. with the advanced setting screens of the programming system.
  • Blindog26
    Pound for pound and dollar for dollar this is the best remote out there. I have been using Harmony remotes for over 4 years now. I have installed well over 100 of these things. The setup can be difficult for a novice user. The Harmony tech department is fantastic in helping those with limited knowledge of their systems. In set up you can program the remote to run you system in any way you desire. Want to leave product on, it will. Want to add keys to the LCD, pick the ones you want and add them. The product data base is second to none. You can teach keys that are not in the data base. This remote rocks. It is by far the easiest remore for the end user to use. Plus with the smart state technology the remote will re-align the system if something should get out of wack. ie.... have pic but no sound, hit the help key and it will walk you through reseting the system. Its the best.
  • Raj
    Very user unfriendly. Key buttons are hard to reach, example: volume buttons are extremely thin and to the side so your finger doesnt easily find it. Now, why would they design something like that? because they sacrificed function over form. It just looks nice thats it. All important screens are hidden and you have to wade through a number of buttons to reach. Who would remember all this? I got rid of mine on ebay
  • Jimmy Le
    i've been reading a lot of reviews on this remote from a lot of different sites. and i've noticed a several people leave bad comments about the docking station to charge the remote. but if you look at the big picture, it will save you money in the long run. and i don't know about everyone else, but my remote is never where i left it last, so with the docking station, wouldn't it make it easier to find it again (most of the time)?
  • Mr Red
    I can't find the PDF manual and no - one seems to mention timers. Given that more expensive products tell you the time to the nearest fraction of a second and still don't fire macros at set times can we assume this device can't either.

    I WANT TO - thats who.
  • Paul
    I have had only minor troubles with my 880 and it only took me a week to master the feel of it. I have no problems finding buttons or changing settings for the remote. Oh and the docking station is great. I hate having to buy batteries.
  • */yves*
    Prior to buying this product, I visited logitech's website and test drove their online tutorial/configuration tool for the harmony remote. The registration process took less than 5 minutes, after that I found myself configuring the appliances that I have (42" HDTV Panasonic, Yamaha 6.1 AV Receiver, Sony DVD, and Hughes Satelite Receiver). After a few clicks and confirmations, all my appliances are fully configured. Now that's out of the way, time to set my activities such as Watch TV, Watch DVD, Listen to Radio, Play Game, Listen to XM Top 20). At first, I it was a little difficult, but you just have to figure out the correct inputs and you can get things to work in 20 minutes. T configure "Watch TV" I set the TV to Input 2 (Component) + Yamaha Receiver DTV/CBL + Hughes Satelite Receiver to "ON" and everything else was "Off". Next "Watch DVD" I set the TV to Input 2 (Component) + Yamaha Receiver to DVD to "On" and everyting else to "Off". Next "Listen to Radio" I set the Yamaha Receiver to Tuner and "On" and everything else "Off", Ok.. you get the idea. Once everything was configured the way I want it (things may not work right the first time around, but you can always adjust it later). Time to download the information to the remote. Connect the remote and press "Update" and wait about 5 minutes (which I think could be faster). The remote reboots itself after the update and you can then unplug and try your "Activities Action". Oh yeah, make sure your appliances are set "Off" the first time. Point it and press the appropriate action and you should see your appliances turn on. For me, I tested "Watch TV" and sure enough, my TV turned on and switched to Input 2 + Satellite Receiver + Yamaha switched to DTV/CBL = One Touch Solution!!! Let's say you want to switch from Watching TV to DVD? Press Activities and select "Watch DVD". For me, what it does is keep the TV On + Switches the Receiver to DVD Mode + Turns On the Sony DVD Player and actually turns off the satellite receiver. You can toggle between Activities if wish!

    Overall, I've only been testing the remote for a few hours and found it very useful. The next test is to actually modify the commands for each buttons pressed. I believe that this is a great investment if you have a lot of remotes that you control your different equipments... in short, less clutter!

    Oh yeah, I don't work for Logitech!!! Just simply expressing my opinion on this great product.

    Thanks!
  • JohnD
    It took about one hour to get all details programmed into their website and then a little patience to download the data into the remote, once done then TV, DVD, VCR, Laser player, Sat controller and amp/radio all worked and what did not, simply required the help function onboard. For the price I would have liked a little more substantial construction, my audio remote (French company) is very solid and cost less. But basically I just got rid of 6 remotes and although the charger fit is a little fiddly, it tells you when it is in place OK. Excellent unit.
  • kevin
    I currently have the logitech 550 i think it is.. I was wondering that the response time is from the remote. I have a disgusting delay when I try watching TV on my pvr with the 550.
  • Chas
    Very pretty design, from the industrial designer perspective. I bet they won awards with this design. But it is not functional. With the back lit buttons, the text is very very small. Not for folks with reading glasses. Well you say your fingers learn where the remote buttons are anyway so who cares. Well the buttons are great for kids fingers, small and close together, but not adults. Button feel is average at best. Very little tactile feedback. The mute button, one of the smallest, is in awkward position to get to.

    Try as I might and after contacting customer support, I could not get our DVR to access the recorded programs. Sure you can flip though the channels, look at the guide and even start to record a program, there seams to be no way to get to the recorded programs. We have a Dish Network PVR. Would consider them a player in the PVR market so they should be supported. Dont think that the remote could not control the Dish box, but just no buttons or reprogramming of buttons to get to the recorded programs.

    Another item, if a device is already on and you want to use it, then the remote will turn it off. Be sure to turn off all the devices before starting.

    This is a hassle with our Apex DVD player. You have to turn on the main power switch, then load the disc. But when the remote sets up to play the DVD, it will power off the player. So you have to get up, or find the DVD remote, to reset things.

    Bottom line: Nice award winning design, but keep your other remotes handy to get things to work.
  • Brian
    I for one do not mind using three different remotes, but my girlfriend talked me in to purchasing the 880. I agreed thinking, it would be nice ot only need one remote for everything. $200 dollars later and 4 hours of trial and error, never being able to turn on a single electrinic device I returned it to the store. Thanks, but no thanks. I don't like to spend a good deal of money to just test my patience and leave me no better off.
  • Whitney
    Original author said the docking station is a down side, I disagree. One remote that recharges is way better than 3-5 remotes w/ 1-2 batteries each. Think of the money you save on batteries alone. Also I have bought new entertainment equipment; I have only had 1 problem. Some Satellite boxes don't work w/ IR but use RF. Other than that be patient and set up your remote. Once it is set up you rarely have to do much else till you buy something new. The best feature is the constant updates for new products. Think about one remote for anything you buy for years to come. BTW it works w/ anything IR like my A/C unit and remote light dimmers. :)
  • Josho
    Has really made things easier for me to use my home theater. One feature that's nice is the motion sensor, when you pick up the remote, the backlight automatically comes on-no fumbling in the dark! No one should have trouble with the initial setup. Write down your equipment model numbers, locate them on the Harmony website, and answer a few questions about your HT configuration and the remote will know what to do! The only thing it doesn't work for is my PS3 because that uses bluetooth. I have a feeling that an aftermarket IR adapter will come out to fix that though. Logitech constantly updates their database for new equipment so the remote won't become obsolete when you add pieces to your home theater. I absolutely recommend this remote.
  • Bill
    I've got an HD TV, DVD, VCR, son's PS2 and audio through an AV receiver. I probably spent more time gathering make/model info than I did answering the simple, guided setup. Worked first time, and a few minutes tweaking items (in our house we call it a DVR, not PVR) resulted in what seem to be a perfect setup so far.



    Love having the cradle to recharge the unit. Sure beats replacing batteries!
  • John Camel
    I have had virtually 0 problems with this remote basiclly 5-7 minutes to setup, 3 minutes to explore everything, and a week to get good at.
  • Jacek Ciesluk
    I don't have much time so I'll be brief. I'm one of these guys that loves to buy all kinds of stuff that make my life easier and make me happier. One of the toys I'm talking about is a universal remote. I've had one for years, but it recently broke, so I bought a Harmony 880 to replace it.

    The difference between the old and the new is huge. If you have one of the old ones that you have to program on the remote itself, break it and buy a Harmony. Just the fact that the Harmony connects to a computer is worth it. With the 880 I programmed my remote with the help of an easy to use wizard. It asked me for all the devices and model numbers I have. It then asked what devices I needed on or off for the different activities I'll be doing. Then it asked me to try it out. It worked flawlessly after the first try.

    Later, when I got more comfortable with the remote, and knew what changes I wanted to make to the button placement, I reprogrammed the buttons. So for example, if I wanted the pause button to be in the color window in position 7, I just asked the software to put it there. If I wanted the remote to turn on my light (light must have the ability to receive IR signal) I just taught it how to do that in a few seconds. I love this thing. It is very easy to use, looks good, and feels comfortable to the touch too.

    Prior to buying a remote I spent a day and a half doing research online. I read reviews, looked for specials, the works. I'm about to tell you something no one mentioned on any of the reviews that I saw. I only found this out after I already bought the remote and picked it up for the first time. The remote is in sleep mode when just lying there, but “wakes up”, or turn on, when you pick it up! It's the little things! I am so impressed with this device that I will look to Logitech the next time I need something else. If they have it I'll probably buy it from them. Hope this is helpful.
  • Drew
    This remote is great. My kids got so used to it in the living room with all of our equipment that I got one for them and the master bedroom. It makes life so much easier. Recommend it for anyone!
  • rodregan
    Mine stopped recharging after a month. I researched the problem, and learned there at least two well-known defects: 1) defective bases, which stop charging the phone; and, 2)battery loses contact with phone, requiring paper to be wedged in.

    I have the charging problem.
  • Art Ocone
    I have a new tTV and want to program my Harmony. No can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    DO THEY WANT ME TO SPEND 28 BUCKS ON A PHONE CALL???????

    THE HARMONY SUCKS. I SUGGEST YOU TRY ANOTHER BRAND.
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