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What makes the MX-1000 most pleasant to hold is the wonderful tactile coating used on the case. I�ve had the pleasure of using several other remotes with a similar coating, which furnishes them with an almost "microfiber" feel. After holding a remote that uses it, you�ll wonder why more manufacturers haven�t bought the rights. Since there�s nothing worse than an expensive remote that feels inexpensive, I was pleased to see that the two halves of the plastic case fit together perfectly on all sides. All edges on the remote are well rounded with a high-quality feel, while the moderate weight of the remote gives it a commanding feel. The case cannot be twisted in any way and should be very durable over the long run.
Impressive design...
As mentioned, the MX-1000 includes more buttons than has been the norm for touchscreen remote controls � even though the list price is far less than some. Three remote-specific keys and eleven user configurable buttons give hard button fanatics plenty of sight-unseen control over their components. The buttons themselves are extremely glossy in appearance but are manufactured from a grippy rubber material, nearly transparent in color. All such hard buttons, except for the light button, are backlit by an aqua green electroluminescent panel.
Lighting the five-way joystick wasn�t possible. Instead, the design team at Universal Remote placed a deep blue lens around the stick which highlights its position. Overall the backlight appears good for most lighting situations. Tactile response on all hard buttons is great, requiring a firm push (not too firm) before being sensed. That, of course, stops the annoying "resting hand" syndrome in its tracks. You know what I mean � when you inadvertently rest your hand on a corner of the remote, only to have the TV change channels or power off at a crucial point in a movie. Such an occurrence could, at minimum, destroy your reputation as a savvy home theater buff.
The hard button complement is nicely shaped with a good feel, although I found placement of the transport controls around the joystick a little too close to the raised blue backlit lens for complete comfort. The five-way joystick has a very firm feel � again, a benefit. The "pressing" action also requires a decided effort, which means you won�t be sending "enter" without really meaning it � a problem many joystick controls suffer from. The one nuance is that you must press the stick in exactly the direction you intend to go. For instance, if you�re holding the remote and using your thumb on the stick, the tendency will be to press north-north-west for "up" and south-south-east for "down". The remote won�t actually sense that � you must always press exactly up, down, left or right. Although that may sound awkward, I found it easy to get used to the requirement. After an hour of acclimation the remote was sensing all of my directional commands.
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