Progress marches up hill.
The answer, of course, is to slowly start trickling down the new USB-based hardware platform created for the MX-3000 and MX-950 into lower priced products. The first stop on URC�s redevelopment TripTik is to fill in an obvious model numbering hole between the MX-850 and MX-950 with � you guessed it � the Complete Control MX-900 �Genesis�, priced at $449 USD MSRP. For those of you now reaching for something to wipe the coffee off your screen, remember that the MX-900 is a member of URC�s elite Complete Control series, which is targeted to the custom installation business. Although the higher end of URC�s consumer-oriented remotes are currently looking a little long in the tooth, good (and much cheaper) things will be heading that way soon enough.
The MX-900�s �Genesis� designation should get its own entry in the �curiously named products� department, since it both breaks the former vowel theme used for other Complete Control models � Aurora, Aeros, Omega, Osiris � and isn�t the first model released or the first to do anything in particular. So, to prevent any unnecessary exercising of the marketing centers of our brains, we�ll just stick to calling it the �MX-900� from now on.
The MX-900 is smaller, lighter, curvier and � most importantly � costs less than the $699 MX-950. Understandably, it drops most of the high-end features of the MX-950 such as graphics, sounds and variables. It also cuts back on total device and command potential, but does keep many practical upgrades and would appear overall to be a perfect midpoint between the MX-950�s abundant capabilities and the MX-850�s programming simplicity and superior ergonomics.
A hard buttoned remote that�s better than the MX-850 and a third cheaper than the MX-950? Maybe the �Genesis� is the beginning of something special...
Contemporary curves.
Since the good folks at Universal Remote Control continue to �not fix what ain�t broke�, the MX-900 follows the same basic design principle as its older siblings: a sizable number of real hard buttons, complimented by an LCD screen that�s used to custom label a number of adjacent multi-purpose keys. This style has proven to be one of the most popular of all recent remote control concepts, since it combines the intuitive tactile operation of a traditional hard buttoned remote with the core customizability of touchscreen models � I mean everyone likes their remote�s buttons to do what they say they will!
The MX-900 measures 2.36 inches wide, 8.88 inches long and 1.08 inches thick (6.0cm by 22.6cm by 2.8cm), although it tapers slightly to 2.13� wide (5.4cm) below the screen. While still quite long and narrow, the MX-900 shaves off three-quarters of an inch in length (1.9cm) over the MX-950 � which may not sound like much but is nonetheless quite perceptible. The MX-900 weighs 7.6 ounces (215g) with four bundled AAA alkaline batteries, or 6.1 ounces (171g) without. This is a nearly 20% initial weight reduction over the MX-950, although the difference is lessened to 10% once the MX-950�s more efficient lithium ion battery is factored in. No rechargeable battery facilities are provided, so be sure to stock up on alkalines. The MX-900 is well balanced, with the center point just below the [Cursor Up] key.
| 
Enlarge this photo.
Enlarge this photo.