10/24/22 - In searching for the perfect day, Timmy discovers something unexpected!
9/04/22 - That childhood favorite is back in a new Timmy video.
7/31/22 - It’s time for my second new Just Like Timmy video!
7/12/22 - Why not check out my new YouTube animation channel, Just Like Timmy!
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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
| User reviews for the Harmony 520 from Logitech. |
 | | Ratings | Reviews | MSRP (USD) |
Average: 3.85/5.00
Median: 4.00/5.00 | 16 | $99.99 |
The Harmony 520 is the most economical activity-based remote control from Logitech. It features a completely redesigned format, backlit LCD screen with 4 adjacent hard buttons, fully backlit keypad, code learning, USB communications and online setup.
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Now viewing user reviews page 1 of 3 for
the Harmony 520 remote.
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| Written by Tomahock from Philadelphia Area. The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month. |
| Review 16 made on Monday January 14, 2008 at 12:39 PM. |
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| Review: | I like the idea of this remote. I like to use my PC to program it. The software sets up macros very easily and the preset macros are pretty "smart". The preset device codes brought up a better set of commands than the OEM remotes do! My TV (Olevia) wasn't listed in the preset list, but when I submitted it to Logitech, they came back with a great set of commands. I also like the fact that the setup is stored in a place other than the remote itself so if and when the remote crashes or whatever, it will be easily reset.
The buttons are laid out well. The most-used buttons are right where you want them and easily accessible. I really like the way the macros leave on some components and turn off others when you switch between activities. And the "help" button is great for when someone other than my technonerd self uses it. It asks you questions until it finds out what is wrong then it fixes the problem (i.e. "is the cable box on", you click "yes", it says "is the TV on?" you say No, it turns it on and asks if that fixed the problem).
All that being said, I had to return the remote. The delay between when I push a button to when the remote sends the command was too slow to be acceptable. Almost a full second of delay. When navigating through menus and guides and everything else you need to breeze through in order to operate today's DVR and 400-channel set top boxes, a .8-second delay or so after each key push is just way too much. I liked the remote enough to try to deal with it, but when I realized I was sort of dreading typing in a search string to find a movie, I realized it was just too slow. I assume (and hope) that higher-end Harmonies don't have this problem.
The creeky assembly is not a deal breaker, but it does make the remote itself seem cheap (which I guess it is, really). Where the face of the remote meets the base, the seem is a little loose. The result is when you squeeze the remote in your hand, it creeks as the top and bottom rub against each other. If this was the only problem with the remote, I would have been able to accept it, but it did bother me a little.
Final word: The software and programming and completeness of the remote are great. I was very impressed with the presets. But the interkey delay was too much to deal with. I'm going to look for a higher-end Harmony. |
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| Written by cobra47 from Australia. The reviewer has used this remote control for 3-6 months. |
| Review 15 made on Thursday December 20, 2007 at 8:06 PM. |
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| Review: | The initial software installation onto my computer went fine. However, programming the remote proved to be a HUGE PROBLEM. I have four(4) devices, all current models, to be included on the 520(updated firmware). I made several individual attempts, before phoning the 1800 support. Turns out, this is a call centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Five calls, & three different Technicians, & 6 days later, they were able to come with a solution. Could not recommend. |
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| Written by Joe94131 from San Francisco. The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month. |
| Review 14 made on Friday March 9, 2007 at 1:58 PM. |
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| Review: | It's hard to keep these reviews simple. This remote was bought after checking out the reviews here (good and bad). I've spent years programming a Pronto, going through quite a few different multi-function programmable remote devices, etc. This time, after moving, I wanted a lightweight remote that didn't have a thousand dollar price tag. This was on sale for $80.
INSTALLATION
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You connect to the internet, throw in the installation CD, and connect the device to the USB port. The installation takes place, you register with Logitech, and it asks you to fill in the model numbers of your equipment. It has checkboxes for specific unusual scenarios, like how my receiver controls volume (not the TV), and my VCR is my cable tuner, and how my PlayStation uses my VCR's LINE 1. Defaults are highlighted, and you can change them now or later.
Total install time: about 10 minutes, but I had my model numbers written down in advance.
Installation rating: easy, simple, and convenient. Isn't that the promise of the internet, after all? Some people seem to hate this type of installation process. But compared with entering codes into a remote, and "learning" IR codes from your existing remotes, this method is really a breeze.
I did not have to do ANY special "learning" process to transfer IR codes to the device from my existing remote control collection. That was a first for me.
USE
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The device organizes itself by "activities", such as "Watch TV", "Listen to the radio", etc. This essentially eliminates nearly all of my typical macro programming I'd have to do with my older remotes. You can still do limited macro programming, but for me it was completely unecessary.
I simply pressed "Watch TV", and the receiver turned on, switched to VCR inputs, turned on the VCR, changed the VCR from LINE 2 to ANT, then the plasma monitor turned on and switched to VIDEO 1. Within three seconds everything was on, the volume control came from the receiver, and the channel buttons affected the VCR instead of the cable box -- exactly as specified during the setup process.
When I was done watching TV, I pressed the "off" button. Everything powered down -- even my weird NEC plasma monitor that has separate on and off buttons.
Ease of use: almost TOO easy. Even my $1,000 Pronto had trouble with the separate on/off buttons of my NEC display.
ADJUSTMENTS
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Every remote control, especially multi-function units, requires the user to change a few habits. For me, they were as follows:
Changing "Activities" -- If I wanted to switch from watching TV to viewing a DVD, I found it easiest to press "Off", followed by "Watch DVD". This powered down everything and powered up everything for the new activity. Some might say this is the "long way around", but for me, it just meant pressing two buttons to get to what I wanted. That's easy, even if it took six seconds to have things power down and power back up with the new "Activity" setups.
Volume/Channels -- This is minor, but I wish I could trade the locations of the power up/down and the channel up/down button arrays. I'm just used to them being on the opposite sides of where they are on the remote.
CONSIDERATIONS
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If you are a remote control hobbyist, you will be dismayed at how easy this is to set up, and how little you get to "play" with the settings. After the initial 10 minute setup process, that's pretty much it.
If you want an incredibly lightweight remote with real tactile buttons that essentially programs itself with the help of the internet, this is a great choice. I didn't have to make it learn any IR codes, the database recognized perfectly all of my new and old equipment, and I found myself able to use the device without looking at it within about 30 minutes of typical use.
SUMMARY
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I am amazed at how I so rarely have to look at the remote control's menu to do something special or unusual -- yet I still don't have to reach for one of my original device-specific remote controls.
Based on how accurately it set itself up for my system configuration, I could see myself spending at least a couple of hundred dollars more for this remote. It really seems a bargain, and it's unobtrusive design is quite elegant.
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