Harmony Smart Remote Control (refurbished) $89.99

I got one from Best Buy in January and the battery in the remote was dead too lol

I bought this one brand new at BB for $79 couple years ago

I love the way the cell phone is shown as if is part of the package

In case you're just interested in a hub controllable by voice (Alexa, Google, siri) I can heartily recommend the Broadlink rm4c mini for $30. Really happy with mine.

https://www.amazon.ca/Broadlink-BestCon ... B07ZGH8CLL

I got this thing. pOS 90% of the time it's disconnected from my wifi. Hate it so much. I would never but it again. My WiFi is perfectly fine, expect the hub always disconnected.

EEE2 wrote: ↑ I got this thing. pOS 90% of the time it's disconnected from my wifi. Hate it so much. I would never but it again. My WiFi is perfectly fine, expect the hub always disconnected.

Maybe you have a lemon. I have 5 Harmony's in the house... none ever disconnect... or perhaps the once in a bluemoon... Running them for about 4 years give or take.

Byzantium wrote: ↑ In case you're just interested in a hub controllable by voice (Alexa, Google, siri) I can heartily recommend the Broadlink rm4c mini for $30. Really happy with mine.

https://www.amazon.ca/Broadlink-BestCon ... B07ZGH8CLL

Is there a remote that goes with this

Byzantium wrote: ↑ In case you're just interested in a hub controllable by voice (Alexa, Google, siri) I can heartily recommend the Broadlink rm4c mini for $30. Really happy with mine.

https://www.amazon.ca/Broadlink-BestCon ... B07ZGH8CLL

I have Alexa linked my Harmony Hub and use it to contol my TV/home theatre setup

They are good if you use it to its full potential. Sad to say but i have to sell my ultimate soon because my wife says so.

I already own a Harmony 665 remote for one of two TV's. Can the hub connect to this remote, or is the hub only to use your smartphone as a remote and have Alexa/Google integration?
Would I need one hub for each TV?

The Logitech Harmony Companion All-in-One Remote Control w/ Hub is also on sale:
Regular MSRP $180, on sale for $138 here, and $105 for the "renewed" version.

EEE2 wrote: ↑ I got this thing. pOS 90% of the time it's disconnected from my wifi. Hate it so much. I would never but it again. My WiFi is perfectly fine, expect the hub always disconnected.

I've used it for 4 years now and literally 0 issues with Ubiquity AP's. Maybe your wireless isn't as good as you think.

This thing with a Shield/Xbox is gold and wouldn't change it for anything else.

Just with they would come with a new version with voice support.

ImpKnight wrote: ↑ I got one from Best Buy in January and the battery in the remote was dead too lol

Isn't the battery in the remote just a button cell (CR2032) that you can get at the dollar store?

skorbs0190 wrote: ↑ I already own a Harmony 665 remote for one of two TV's. Can the hub connect to this remote, or is the hub only to use your smartphone as a remote and have Alexa/Google integration?
Would I need one hub for each TV?

The Logitech Harmony Companion All-in-One Remote Control w/ Hub is also on sale:
Regular MSRP $180, on sale for $138 here, and $105 for the "renewed" version.

No, the 665 can't be used with the hub. Can use your smart phone app or a remote like the one that comes with the Companion or this Smart Remote.

skorbs0190 wrote: ↑ I already own a Harmony 665 remote for one of two TV's. Can the hub connect to this remote, or is the hub only to use your smartphone as a remote and have Alexa/Google integration?
Would I need one hub for each TV?

The Logitech Harmony Companion All-in-One Remote Control w/ Hub is also on sale:
Regular MSRP $180, on sale for $138 here, and $105 for the "renewed" version.

Hub cannot connect to your remote. The hub can connect to compatible remotes. I know of 3 models, 2 with touchscreen, 1 without. You would need a hub for each TV (if the TVs were to be independently operated).

Practically, the only advantage of having the hub over your 665 is you can control it with your phone if you like. You can also use voice activation via Google Smarthome or Alexa. Also, the Hub has bluetooth as well making it possibly easier to control some of your devices where the IR might be a little finnicky.

Most poeple don't care about using the phone.. in fact, most people would probably prefer to use an actual remote if they had one. A lot of people buy this for voice activation features. If you like smarthome integration and voice, you will probably like it as well. Otherwise, there really isn't sort of upgrade over your 665. In fact, if you're used to using a remote, you'll HATE using your phone instead of having a dedicated remote. Also, you'll also want one of the models with the touchscreen as well. It's much more enjoyable to use.

I always feel like I should buy one of these when they go on sale, but I just can't think what I would use it for. I have several Harmony remotes, and I like them. But somehow the ability to use voice control compared to just pressing a button on the remote doesn't feel like a step forward. So what else do people find it useful for?

The hub is useful if you have a bluetooth device Nvidia Shield TV. You can't use another Harmony remote with the 2019 Shield TV without a hub that can control a bluetooth device. As stated, the only useful feature is being able to use Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speaker to control it. If all you have are IR devices, the standard Harmony remotes are good enough.

cow07 wrote: ↑ Is there a remote that goes with this

For the BroadLink there’s no physical remote, just an app for your phone. On iOS you can create Siri Shortcuts for access as widgets.

ktkn wrote: ↑ Also, you'll also want one of the models with the touchscreen as well. It's much more enjoyable to use.

The major down side with the touch screen remotes is the battery. My battery requires charging at least once a week. I only use the remote a couple times a week with only a handful of presses. Often I forget to charge the remote and resort to using the phone. Not as intuitive, but I can always count on it working.

Scote64 wrote: ↑ I always feel like I should buy one of these when they go on sale, but I just can't think what I would use it for. I have several Harmony remotes, and I like them. But somehow the ability to use voice control compared to just pressing a button on the remote doesn't feel like a step forward. So what else do people find it useful for?

YOu can use your phone/tablet as a remote. Voice control from another room (if you went to bed and forgot to turn off the tv, or kids have volume too loud.)

Also great feature of the hub - remote does not need to be pointed at the TV/devices at all.