Logitech discontinues Harmony remotes

[AZhappyjack]

The new Mac (64-bit) software is a bit unintuitive... but works... so I added the new 665 and cloned the old 665... and now the remote list is:
Harmony 665
Harmony 665 (2)

with no obvious way to rename the remotes...

 

[eclipse01]

Why is there so much love for the 650/665 in this thread, that remote is so archaic in every way, once i went to a hub based harmony there was no turning back, not to mention the screen looks like something straight out of the late 90's

 

[AZhappyjack]

Why is there so much love for the 650/665 in this thread, that remote is so archaic in every way, once i went to a hub based harmony there was no turning back, not to mention the screen looks like something straight out of the late 90's

It's a combination of cheap and available as a replacement, and the 64-bit Harmony software doesn't work with the hub-based remotes... all of that is coupled with the uncertainty of what Logitech will do with the platform, and how long it will remain active...

 

[adrianlondon]

I much prefer the hub-based remotes (I have the Companion) as it works via RF to the hub, and the hub has an included "IR blaster" so I can keep all my AVR stuff in a n enclosed cabinet out of sight.

It's a pity there's no (modern) MacOS software to program them, but the iOS app works. Well, it's bearable.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Logitech announced that they "will continue to support existing products as long as customers are using them". What that means exactly, no one knows, but "won't likely stay up for much longer" doesn't seem the case.

Google once said the same thing when they acquired ReVolv, the smart home platform. We all know how that one panned out!

 

[Jamesehale]

this is a bit of a bummer .I have also been very happy with my Harmony, not Logitech's support hough. looking a amazon's offerings I saw this http://sofabaton.com/u1.html . Anybody have experience with this beast. All my components are in their database which is a good first step and i seems to do macros (switching been devices) so a possible replacement.

 

[srbNYC]

O Logitech, you're breaking my heart. Got my new 665 as a back-up, and used Harmony Desktop to sync it with my existing 650 settings. Took a dozen tries for the software to recognize a remote was connected (even though my MacBook Air had it recognized, and the remote said "USB connected"), and running the sync triggered the very first crash my 6-month-old M1 MBA has experienced.

Finally succeeded in running the sync, and the buttons, activities, and assignments are mismatched or incomplete. Started over as if it were a new device again, and same results.

 

[adrianlondon]

Could you not use the iOS app instead? There's an "add remote" option which should then allow yoiu to copy an existing config. I only have one remote, so haven't tried it myself.

Edit: Ignore this (if you don't have a hub-based remote). Thanks for the correction, Weaselboy.

 

[Weaselboy]

Could you not use the iOS app instead? There's an "add remote" option which should then allow yoiu to copy an existing config. I only have one remote, so haven't tried it myself.

I think the iOS app only works to sync the hub based remotes. The non-hub models like 665 need to be synced over a USB connection. At least that's how I remember it.

 

[Beerstalker]

Why is there so much love for the 650/665 in this thread, that remote is so archaic in every way, once i went to a hub based harmony there was no turning back, not to mention the screen looks like something straight out of the late 90's

I dislike touch based remotes, and much prefer the tactile keys of the 6xx series.

I tried the Harmony 1000 and 1100 back when they came out and hated it, went back to the 880 series. I'm still running a couple Harmony One's that were replacements for my 880's when they failed. At that time the Harmony 6xx series didn't have a remote that could control as many devices as I needed to, so I had to use the One even though I don't like the touchscreen. The One's still work so I have not bothered replacing them, even though I am tempted every time I have to look down at the remote to see where I am touching the screen to hit the correct button.

I don't care what the screen looks like on the remote, because I don't look at the screen. I look at the TV screen and use the remote by touch/feel.

 

[srbNYC]

Yes, confirming that these aren’t hi -based remotes.

 

[HDFan]

I think the iOS app only works to sync the hub based remotes. The non-hub models like 665 need to be synced over a USB connection. At least that's how I remember it.

That has been my experience over several Harmony generations.

 

[eclipse01]

I dislike touch based remotes, and much prefer the tactile keys of the 6xx series.

I tried the Harmony 1000 and 1100 back when they came out and hated it, went back to the 880 series. I'm still running a couple Harmony One's that were replacements for my 880's when they failed. At that time the Harmony 6xx series didn't have a remote that could control as many devices as I needed to, so I had to use the One even though I don't like the touchscreen. The One's still work so I have not bothered replacing them, even though I am tempted every time I have to look down at the remote to see where I am touching the screen to hit the correct button.

I don't care what the screen looks like on the remote, because I don't look at the screen. I look at the TV screen and use the remote by touch/feel.

there is a physical hub based remote without a screen. IMO it blows the 6xx series away

 

[adrianlondon]

there is a physical hub based remote without a screen. IMO it blows the 6xx series away

I have one. A Harmony Companion.

It's the fact it has a hub which makes it unique; I can program sequences/macros that take time to execute and not have to point the remote at anything (as it uses RF to talk to the hub). The hub sends out a powerful blast of IR and even comes with an IR extender so it can control stuff in a closed cabinet.

For example, and probably not of use to most, but I have a sequence which turns the TV off and switches the AVR to radio. After 4 minutes it switches it all back. I use it to skip the typical UK 4-minute advert break.

 

[srbNYC]

I just had trouble syncing my new Harmony and logitech‘s support was very prompt and very thorough, Looking up my account and helping me on the server side.

NOTE: The tech just wrote back to me one last time and explained that "screen button customization is not included as a part of the copy settings." Sharing this information for anyone else copying settings to a new backup Harmony.

 

[mtbdudex]

Hurry Best Buy still has these in stock … sure $30 more that a year ago, still worth it.

 

[dorsal]

Typical!

I buy HomePods - Apple discontinues them.

I buy a Harmony Hub system - Logitech discontinued them.

Right, who’s up for paying me to stop buying ANY tech? ?

You must be young:
I bought an Apple printer - Apple discontinues them.
I bought an Apple wi-fi base station - Apple discontinues them.
I bought an Apple NAS - Apple discontinues them.
I bought Firewire hard drives (and a Firewire iPod) to connect to my Mac - Apple discontinues Firewire.
I bought an Apple Thunderbolt monitor - Apple discontinues them.
I bought an Apple webcam - Apple discontinues them.

 

[mtbdudex]

You must be young:
I bought an Apple printer - Apple discontinues them.
I bought an Apple wi-fi base station - Apple discontinues them.
I bought an Apple NAS - Apple discontinues them.
I bought Firewire hard drives (and a Firewire iPod) to connect to my Mac - Apple discontinues Firewire.
I bought an Apple Thunderbolt monitor - Apple discontinues them.
I bought an Apple webcam - Apple discontinues them.

Ha were in same boat, I’ve only owned Apple tech stuff since .. 1984 and my first Mac 128k

And of course …
MacPortable, lugged a 16lb laptop around, with a 40MB hard drive and 4MB static RAM
Apple PDA … Original Newton and the 110 , yep I tried to go paperless in 1993
And countless laptops, iMacs, mini towers , etc.
Ahh, apple printers also

 

[CPTmom2wp]

Just found this remote... Not sure how "advanced" it is.

Sevenhugs

smartremote.sevenhugs.com

It is pretty pricey.

Thank you for finding this! It looks like a viable replacement if needed. I currently have 3 harmony remotes controlling 3 different areas in the house and find it invaluable. In the main area, it controls an LG OLED, AppleTV, OPPO blu ray player, 6 speaker Sonos system, and Philips HUE lights. I think we purchased one of the earliest Harmony models and have updated when necessary, never looking back. This was always one of my favorite presents to give family. Nothing is better than just having one remote to control all devices. I don't even use the Apple remote.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Just found this remote... Not sure how "advanced" it is.

Sevenhugs

smartremote.sevenhugs.com

It is pretty pricey.

Thank you for finding this! It looks like a viable replacement if needed. I currently have 3 harmony remotes controlling 3 different areas in the house and find it invaluable. In the main area, it controls an LG OLED, AppleTV, OPPO blu ray player, 6 speaker Sonos system, and Philips HUE lights. I think we purchased one of the earliest Harmony models and have updated when necessary, never looking back. This was always one of my favorite presents to give family. Nothing is better than just having one remote to control all devices. I don't even use the Apple remote.

The reviews on Amazon are not good... and according to at least one person, this remote and the company that makes it are DOA...

Sevenhugs - Smart Remote U - Black

Sevenhugs - Smart Remote U - Black

www.amazon.com

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2021

The company was bought out for it’s IP and patents. They have not done any firmware updates, device updates, app updates or even commented on there forums in a few months. If you ask any questions or comments that are slightly critical of this they are deleted. They had an outage and it took a week almost to repair it last couple weeks. I bought mine last year and I loved it and highly recommended as it showed lots of promise. I however cannot recommend this to anyone. I believe the product is in maintenance mode till stock and warranties run out.

 

[OverTheHill]

Can’t find one on Amazon yet, but there is this….

SofaBaton X1- Universal Remote Control

Sofabaton one for all smart universal remotes have powerful cloud database ,with easy programmable macro function,to simply your entertainment life among multi-activities switch freely. Samsung Roku Alexa Apple Philips Logitech Tcl Vizio LG Hisense Tivo Sharp Nvidia XBOX TOSHIBA NETFLIX Directv...

www.sofabaton.com

 

[Weaselboy]

Can’t find one on Amazon yet, but there is this….

SofaBaton X1- Universal Remote Control

Sofabaton one for all smart universal remotes have powerful cloud database ,with easy programmable macro function,to simply your entertainment life among multi-activities switch freely. Samsung Roku Alexa Apple Philips Logitech Tcl Vizio LG Hisense Tivo Sharp Nvidia XBOX TOSHIBA NETFLIX Directv...

www.sofabaton.com

That looks promising.

 

[w5jck]

With most new home theater equipment we now have HDMI-CEC capability, which can pretty much put an end to the remote hell we experienced in the past. We no longer need a rats nest of wires connecting everything and a bushel basket full of remotes to control that complicate and convoluted mess of a setup. Nor do we really need a programmable remote which is cumbersome to program. Eventually those garbage programmable remotes with all their limitations and bad quirks will rest with the dinosaurs. Good riddance IMO. I put mine on a shelf a year ago when I switched to a new TV with HDMI-CEC capability, and now it collects dust. I know it takes time and hard earned money to replace older home theater components, but when you do I recommend getting ones with HDMI-CEC capability, and put the fear of death in your programmable remotes. Don't wait too long though, because those remotes are quickly disappearing as they are needed less and less each year.

 

[Allyance]

I have had two Harmony 665s, second was a 'refurbish' which didn't last all that long before some of the buttons failed. Just picked up a new one at Best Buy for $99, even though Logitech said they were not available. I went to store to verify it was new, which it was in a sealed plastic packaging. Amazon was selling them though 3rd party sellers for double the price, wouldn't trust them. I have them programmed to turn on my new 4k Samsung TV, an older Yamaha receiver and choose the proper inputs for the Apple TV4k, Comcast cable box and DVD. Problem with new 4k TV is the volume control only works for internal speakers. If I used optical output, then no control over volume. This remote allows me to use just one remote for everything. I used my iPhone to control the Apple 4kTV, much easier and faster than Apple TV remote.

 

[mtbdudex]

Can’t find one on Amazon yet, but there is this….

SofaBaton X1- Universal Remote Control

Sofabaton one for all smart universal remotes have powerful cloud database ,with easy programmable macro function,to simply your entertainment life among multi-activities switch freely. Samsung Roku Alexa Apple Philips Logitech Tcl Vizio LG Hisense Tivo Sharp Nvidia XBOX TOSHIBA NETFLIX Directv...

www.sofabaton.com

Hmm, seems the X1 is not all that ..