Logitech discontinues Harmony remotes

[DaveSanDiego]

I had a 650, which gave up the ghost when a few buttons "wore out"... So I replaced it with a 950 which is a POS!
It resets to factory "new" at least 4 times a day... So now it looks like I need an alternative as well

 

[SigEp265]

I have never used the physical remote. Only use the phone’s app. I can also control the routines with HomeKit thanks to some additional software. I‘m still super bummed by this – my Harmony has always been a very solid experience.

 

[srbNYC]

Global Caché WF2IR iTach WiFi to IR Module - Connects Infrared Controlled Devices to a Wi-Fi Network

The Global Caché WF2IR iTach adds smart control to any infrared devices over a wireless network and internet. The module features an 802.11b wireless interface and a 2.5-inch antenna (requires wireless Internet router). It gives you quick access to control over IR devices such as cable boxes, ...

www.amazon.com

Looks like that app uses a hardware wifi to IR gateway like the product above. In the reviews, that gateway also works with the iRule and Roomie remote apps, so those might be good options for you also.

That's a pretty expensive fix. The hardware is $115 and the app is $31

 

[Weaselboy]

That's a pretty expensive fix. The hardware is $115 and the app is $31

I don't think it is too bad when compared to the price of the similar Harmony setup. I just looked on Amazon and I paid $149 for my Harmony hub/remote a few years back.

 

[KBJ55]

I had a 650, which gave up the ghost when a few buttons "wore out"... So I replaced it with a 950 which is a POS!
It resets to factory "new" at least 4 times a day... So now it looks like I need an alternative as well

You must have gotten a faulty 950 if it's doing that every day. I have a 950/Elite and it's been the best Harmony I've ever used. Are you using a Hub with it? Maybe it's the Hub that forces those resets.

 

[Phuz01]

Thanks for the heads up. I just picked up an extra Logitech 665 from Best Buy, which seems to have plenty in stock as of right now. Really sad that programmable universal remotes seem to be going the way of the dodo, as I still have enough physical media to demand more than just an Apple TV as my media center.

 

[bluespark]

No DIY solutions out there unfortunately. URC, RTI, Control4, Crestron et al, all use a dealer base to install and program the systems.

Jason

If the above are smart, they will change that policy. I used to use URC and liked the remote a lot, but the need to rely on installers every time I needed a change was absolutely infuriating, and extremely expensive. Most of the installers also didn't understand my system and approach as well as I did, so my Harmony remotes have worked better for me than URC remotes programmed by installers.

If any of the above want Harmony's market, they have to give consumers the tools to program their remotes.

 

[srbNYC]

Thanks for the heads up. I just picked up an extra Logitech 665 from Best Buy, which seems to have plenty in stock as of right now. Really sad that programmable universal remotes seem to be going the way of the dodo, as I still have enough physical media to demand more than just an Apple TV as my media center.

Do you like the 665? I currently have the 650 and I love it. Is the 665 a good backup? (Not that I may have any choices....)

 

[Weaselboy]

I just picked up an extra Logitech 665 from Best Buy,

Thanks for the tip. I just did the same.

 

[bluespark]

Oh wow... basically my whole system is Harmony-based. I understand that it will keep working and being updated for now, but remotes do break occasionally. Also, when tech companies say things like, "Don't worry, we will keep supporting it for a long time," sometimes in the tech world "a long time" ends up being about two weeks. I'm not saying I don't believe Logitech, but I do feel quite cautious, especially since I don't know of any alternative.

Thank you for the info.

Same. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do.

 

[Phuz01]

Do you like the 665? I currently have the 650 and I love it. Is the 665 a good backup? (Not that I may have any choices....)

I also have the 650. Judging from the specs, it seems close enough that if my 650 dies, I should be able to sync its settings (though I may just pull this out of its packaging and back up those settings when I receive it tomorrow). And $60 wasn't too much to drop for an insurance policy.

 

[lostom]

Global Caché WF2IR iTach WiFi to IR Module - Connects Infrared Controlled Devices to a Wi-Fi Network

The Global Caché WF2IR iTach adds smart control to any infrared devices over a wireless network and internet. The module features an 802.11b wireless interface and a 2.5-inch antenna (requires wireless Internet router). It gives you quick access to control over IR devices such as cable boxes, ...

www.amazon.com

Looks like that app uses a hardware wifi to IR gateway like the product above. In the reviews, that gateway also works with the iRule and Roomie remote apps, so those might be good options for you also.

I’ve been looking into the Global Cqche, it’s ~$155 aud.
looks like they run on a rca connection for non ir devices, so just want to some more info.
There is a distributer, not far from home, so I’ll call by and see if I can get better understanding.

 

[nickdalzell1]

"Hey Siri turn on living room tv" Works pretty fine for my 65" Vizio. Apple TV remote controls Apple TV.

I had a Harmony hub (way expensive, came with a touchscreen remote) and the blasted thing always wanted to disconnect from wifi when I wanted to use it, and since the touchscreen remote paired with it, it wouldn't work in IR mode. I ended up trashing the hub and resetting the remote it came with and can use it in IR mode, but prefer the simplicity of Homekit.

Also got a very skeuo remote app (Vizio Remote) that controls the TV and ATV via CEC through wifi. At least the TV's wifi is stable.

As for 'long support for our customers' anyone remember Revolv? That smart home platform that Google acquired and killed and angered a lot of 'lifetime' paying customers? Another reason among many why I don't do 'the cloud'.

 

[redpandadev]

My Harmony companion (hub plus screen-less remote) are among the most reliable "smart" products I've ever come across - I rely on them as my exclusive remote solution. I'm also able to control my TV controls (power and volume up/down through the built-in HomeKit / AppleTV remote feature on iOS thanks to Homebridge (additional unsupported but free software). I am very sad to see them drop these products. I'm likely to buy an additional one just in case.

 

[JasonHB]

If the above are smart, they will change that policy. I used to use URC and liked the remote a lot, but the need to rely on installers every time I needed a change was absolutely infuriating, and extremely expensive. Most of the installers also didn't understand my system and approach as well as I did, so my Harmony remotes have worked better for me than URC remotes programmed by installers.

If any of the above want Harmony's market, they have to give consumers the tools to program their remotes.

Well, I’d suggest that Harmony’s market is not all that if Logitech have dumped it.

I have never been a fan of URC, extremely limited and restricted and also very difficult to program.

Thenot change their approach, Crestron is doing around $1.4 billion a year, Control4 around $400 million a year, not sure they’ll miss anything by dealing direct with the public.


Also, by using a dealer/installer base, they remove an enormous cost of trying to support end users with tech support

Jason

 

[bluespark]

Well, I’d suggest that Harmony’s market is not all that if Logitech have dumped it.

I have never been a fan of URC, extremely limited and restricted and also very difficult to program.

Thenot change their approach, Crestron is doing around $1.4 billion a year, Control4 around $400 million a year, not sure they’ll miss anything by dealing direct with the public.


Also, by using a dealer/installer base, they remove an enormous cost of trying to support end users with tech support

Jason

Logitech is a big company with a lot of product lines, though. The Harmony line might be huge for someone else.

As to the support costs, I'm sure that's an issue -- and probably a significant one given the relative complexity of these remotes compared to most electronic devices -- but other brands' installers in my experience don't know what they are doing. The difference from a consumer perspective is huge: with a URC (for example), you pay for the programming, pay again everything you change anything, wait to have the installer out when you otherwise could make changes on your schedule, and then ultimately deal with something that reflects the installer's preferences rather than your own. I'm sure there are good installers out there, but I've never seen one in the wild.

 

[thisismyusername]

I've been using URC remotes for about 15 years and always programmed them myself. They're much higher quality than Harmony and not hard at all to program although they are of course more expensive. The place I used to get mine from (surfremotecontrol.com) sadly appears to be out of business but they did give you the software to program it. If anybody's looking into URC, I highly recommend only getting it from a dealer that will give you not only the software but the version of it that can be updated; some places only give you the version that can't be updated or at least that's how it was when I bought my last remote several years back.

That said, I don't think I'll be getting another universal remote, URC or otherwise, in the future. Gone are the days where I need a remote to control a bunch of different devices. These days, an Apple TV is the only source device in the room where I've always used URC remotes and that hardly necessitates a remote setup that costs hundreds of dollars.

 

[srbNYC]

I also have the 650. Judging from the specs, it seems close enough that if my 650 dies, I should be able to sync its settings (though I may just pull this out of its packaging and back up those settings when I receive it tomorrow). And $60 wasn't too much to drop for an insurance policy.

Just ordered my backup 665!

 

[GeekyGrannie]

Just ordered my backup 665!

Exactly what I did last December. I started to program my Harmony 650 for my new Apple TV, noticed the paint was wearing off the "OK" key, and got to thinking about how long I had had it and how much it had gotten knocked around. After a bit of searching I concluded that the Harmony 665 would be the best replacement for me. I bought one from Best Buy, cloned it to match my 650 and then put it away in a drawer. When the 650 actually wears out, I have a backup ready.

 

[Phuz01]

Received my backup 665 from Best Buy Tuesday (really speedy free delivery). I'll clone it to match my 650 and then set it aside until needed. It looks identical to the 650.

 

[srbNYC]

The cloning is easy from the desktop app, right?

 

[Phuz01]

The cloning is easy from the desktop app, right?

I haven't tried it yet, but I recall that in the panel to set up a new remote, there's an option to port your settings from an existing remote. Seems like it should be straightforward, but those are famous last words, right?

ETA: Confirmed: https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/how-to-copy-a-previous-remote-configuration-to-a-new-remote

 

[Allyance]

Just got a refurbished 665 to replace my 700 because the Off button was intermittent. Opened the Harmony software and added 665 and copied settings for my devices, then synced. Worked like a charm, I was afraid I have to go through the whole setup again. (Forgot to add that the software was on my Windows laptop)

One down side to the 665 is that it doesn't recharge batteries like the 700. I bought 4 rechargeable batteries and a charger, I can use the batteries for other devices as well.

Amazon had the 700, but was $80 more than the 665.

 

[DJ Rob]

Logitech bought Harmony like 20 years ago. Maybe they just should have sold it or spun it off if they were done with it. While they did release new hardware over the years, the software not so much. Hence the *vintage* experience of the software programmer.

 

[nickdalzell1]

The last time I ran Harmony software (a year ago, to setup a 650) it still ran on Silverlight!