Harmony 880 remote review thus far...

You're saying your remote made your receiver faster?

charlie460 said:

You're saying your remote made your receiver faster?

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It appears so. Or the remote before was quite a bit slower!

It responds slower because, with each button push, the Directv remote also sends info telling the receiver what model remote you are using. This is how the newer receivers know you have a model of remote that the receiver can program (instead of you having to manually enter the codes). You can program the remote to send only the info for the button that you pushed. It makes a world of difference on some receivers.

With remote in Directv mode:
Press and hold the Mute and Select buttons until the green light flashes twice.
Press 963 and the light should flash again.
Press the Channel Down button and it should flash again.

I love my Harmony remote...............however, the battery usage is sad, really sad. I didn't keep the PPP (my first month with DirecTV), that $6 per month helps pay for the batteries.....LOL.

I know what you are saying there, lipcrkr. I bought a new 650 a couple months ago to replace an older 670. After about a month, I went back to the 670 because batteries would only last about a week in the new remote. Granted, I was using a cheap brand of batteries but the same brand would last about four times longer in the 670.

Realize that they're expensive and not for everybody but my 900's and One use rechargeable batteries. Part of the purchase decision was indeed the reported low battery life of the non-rechargeable models. I figured in the long run I'd more than pay for the extra cost by not having to replace batteries and avoid the hassle. The major selling point for me though was the ability to program the remote using my computer, a feature I've really enjoyed.

Hmm, a review of a 9 year old product?

spartanstew said:

Hmm, a review of a 9 year old product?

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Sadly, when I looked around, I didn't see anything better. Didnt want the 1100 so the 880 based on what I had heard made the most sense for me...

Plus I got a great deal on it so if something does come along better, I'll jump...

onebadmofo said:

Sadly, when I looked around, I didn't see anything better. Didnt want the 1100 so the 880 based on what I had heard made the most sense for me...

Plus I got a great deal on it so if something does come along better, I'll jump...

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I replaced my 880 with a 900 a couple of years back and love it. The 900 is a much better remote, not that there is anything wrong with the 880.

I just upgraded (2 days ago) from a Harmony 550 to a Harmony One, and I can attest that my receiver (HR22-100) seems to be quicker, as well. Noticeably so.

TigersFanJJ said:

I know what you are saying there, lipcrkr. I bought a new 650 a couple months ago to replace an older 670. After about a month, I went back to the 670 because batteries would only last about a week in the new remote. Granted, I was using a cheap brand of batteries but the same brand would last about four times longer in the 670.

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Really? I've been using a Harmony 650 for probably close to 2 years (coincidentally, I also replaced the 670) and the generic batteries (CVS) last 2-3 months before needing to be changed. It gets used for several hours every night to control my LCD TV, HR22-100 and Pioneer AVR....I wonder if you (and lipcrkr) might just have a defective unit.

Vin said:

Really? I've been using a Harmony 650 for probably close to 2 years (coincidentally, I also replaced the 670) and the generic batteries (CVS) last 2-3 months before needing to be changed. It gets used for several hours every night to control my LCD TV, HR22-100 and Pioneer AVR....I wonder if you (and lipcrkr) might just have a defective unit.

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I agree, I have had my 650 in the bedroom for about 5 months now (replaced an 880) and I don't think I have changed batteries in it yet. If I have it has only been once.

My parents have been using the 650 in their living room for over a year and I think they have only replaced the batteries twice.

I got the 880 too about 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure it was discontinued then but it works the same with the Harmony program and it was much cheaper. It's great and I've never had one problem with it. It would be such a pain turning on the receiver, DirecTV box, TV...... every time I wanted to watch something.

Vin said:

Really? I've been using a Harmony 650 for probably close to 2 years (coincidentally, I also replaced the 670) and the generic batteries (CVS) last 2-3 months before needing to be changed. It gets used for several hours every night to control my LCD TV, HR22-100 and Pioneer AVR....I wonder if you (and lipcrkr) might just have a defective unit.

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Beerstalker said:

I agree, I have had my 650 in the bedroom for about 5 months now (replaced an 880) and I don't think I have changed batteries in it yet. If I have it has only been once.

My parents have been using the 650 in their living room for over a year and I think they have only replaced the batteries twice.

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The thought has crossed my mind that something in the 650 was defective, causing the batteries to drain. Even more so now.

Another reason I switched back to the 670 (but minor compared to the battery issue)is because the button layout felt more natural to me. It makes it quicker and easier for me to find the correct buttons by feel. Of course, this could be because I have used it for so long now. I don't know, though, because I don't remember having the same problem when upgrading to the 670 (from the 520 and 550) a few years ago.

My Harmony Remote is the 650. I came across a Monster ultra high capacity rapid charger remote in my closet from way back (maybe about 7 years ago)? Don't remember buying it.......i never buy Monster, overpriced, i must have suffered a brain fart 7 years ago, but i just noticed that there seems to have been a leak? I'll try it out and see if it still works.
The 650 works great and maybe i do use it more than most people, i also use it on my Computer and i channel surf a lot.

TigersFanJJ said:

I know what you are saying there, lipcrkr. I bought a new 650 a couple months ago to replace an older 670. After about a month, I went back to the 670 because batteries would only last about a week in the new remote. Granted, I was using a cheap brand of batteries but the same brand would last about four times longer in the 670.

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Interesting. I have a Harmony One with rechargeable batteries. When I was on cable I would only have to recharge it once a month. With DTV I'm lucky to get a week. It's not a problem but I'm not sure of the reason.

Just an update on the battery problem (i have the Harmony 650). I had said i found a Recharger in my closet. I put them in overnight and then in the remote......well, seems to work fine. So all is well..LOL.

The 880 has a lot of fans, even compared to the One/900. My wife is one of them - she prefers the 880 so much that I've replaced it once (with another one), and when one of the buttons on the second one died, she decided she'd rather keep it than switch to a Harmony One (which Logitech was going to send for free.) I also have a One, but it goes unused.

sbl said:

The 880 has a lot of fans, even compared to the One/900. My wife is one of them - she prefers the 880 so much that I've replaced it once (with another one), and when one of the buttons on the second one died, she decided she'd rather keep it than switch to a Harmony One (which Logitech was going to send for free.) I also have a One, but it goes unused.

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I've had both the one and the 880. I much prefer the hard buttons next to the screen on the 880, to the touch screen on the One. That said I prefer the rest of the button layout on the One to the 880. The buttons on the 880 just don't feel as good, are harder to distinguish, and don't last as well.

This is what pushed me to try out the 650 which replaced the 880 in my bedroom. I am very happy with it so far. I would even go so far as to say I like it better than the One if it weren't for the limit on the number of devices and only 4 buttons by the screen. I'm hoping they eventually come out with an 800 or something like that that allows for more devices and has six buttons next to the screen, and maybe a rechargeable battery.