Best universal remote to control just four devices

[strapped for cash]

I simply need a universal remote that's well built; doesn't look or feel tacky; doesn't require an engineering PhD to set up and operate; and isn't prohibitively expensive. (Ideally no more than £50.)

The obvious contenders have channel number buttons at the very bottom of the control. Since these are the buttons I'd use most, they're rather inconveniently located. This seems true of all Logitech and One for All remotes. I'm really not sure what else is out there.

As per my kit list, the remote will only need to control a Panasonic VT65; a Cambridge Audio 651BD; a Yamaha RX-A810; and a Teac PD-H600. I have a PS3, too, but since this is near obsolete, and I only use it very occasionally for gaming, PS3 controllers are good enough.

I'm looking to compile a shortlist. All suggestions are welcome.

 

[bigboss]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Harmony-650-Universal-Remote/dp/B005FQNDTO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373729378&sr=8-2&keywords=Logitech+harmony

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-915-000113-Harmony-600/dp/B003B70C0C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1373729450&sr=8-9&keywords=Logitech+harmony

 

[bigboss]

You'll get used to the remote layout, whichever you choose. Don't worry about it. I don't find the channel number buttons to be inconvenient at all!

 

[BenLaw]

IMO this is one purchase where in time you will regret restricting your budget. Harmony with a touch screen for customisable buttons is what is called for, a One if you can find one, or a Touch.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Probably be a good thing to do Flubit on. I just tried it on a Blu-ray player and got £13 off!

 

[strapped for cash]

You'll get used to the remote layout, whichever you choose. Don't worry about it. I don't find the channel number buttons to be inconvenient at all!

Cheers BB.

For me at least, the number buttons look too small and are poorly located. For instance, I use the Freesat platform, which means I'm often switching to channel 108 or 109 (BBC1 HD and BBC2HD). The zero key is about an inch from the bottom of the remote at the narrowest end. That sounds picky, perhaps, but I find buttons near the very bottom of other remotes a pain, literally rather than figuratively, since they cause a recurrence of RSI.

 

[strapped for cash]

IMO this is one purchase where in time you will regret restricting your budget. Harmony with a touch screen for customisable buttons is what is called for, a One if you can find one, or a Touch.

Thanks Ben. I'd need to try a touch screen remote out first. I generally don't like touch screen devices (including my Android phone); and I'd have concerns about durability after spending that much.

I'm not an easy customer, but that's hardly news to anyone that frequents this forum. :shifty:

 

[bigboss]

IMO this is one purchase where in time you will regret restricting your budget. Harmony with a touch screen for customisable buttons is what is called for, a One if you can find one, or a Touch.

Thanks Ben. I'd need to try a touch screen remote out first. I generally don't like touch screen devices (including my Android phone); and I'd have concerns about durability after spending that much.

I'm not an easy customer, but that's hardly news to anyone that frequents this forum. :shifty:

My touch screen remote has been faultless even after more than 4 years of continuous use. Can't say that for some of the TVs now.

 

[bigboss]

This one displays he number buttons on the touch screen:

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/harmony-ultimate?crid=60

And in this one, the layout of the buttons is a bit higher:

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/harmony-smart-control?crid=60

I would buy a remote & try it first. Amazon has a good returns policy if not happy.

 

[professorhat]

How about this one? Seems to fill the requirements and pretty reasonably priced.

 

[BenLaw]

How about this one? Seems to fill the requirements and pretty reasonably priced.

I have a similar remote but lower in the range for use in my bedroom. For me, if you own an AVR then I can't see how a universal remote with hard buttons only can be satisfactory. There are so many buttons which just aren't covered. Some of these are obscure and you can tuck them away in page 6 of some customised touch screen buttons but others are more common. IME assigning buttons to hard buttons that don't quite fit the bill becomes a ridiculous memory game that ultimately leads to frustration.

Like BB I have nothing negative to say about logitech functionality and durability, including the touchscreen. They are also notorious for their excellent customer service, including replacing broken remotes well after the warranty period has expired.

 

[professorhat]

I use one with only hard buttons - like strapped, I'm not a big fan of touch screen remotes and find them much more difficult to use day to day since you can't just pick it up and feel your way. You've got to pick it up, look at it, find the right screen for what you want to do etc.

When setting up an AVR, you do need quite a few of the buttons, but I find for day to day usage, I really don't need much more than the power and volume controls for my AVR. Having said that, my AVR remembers the last mode I've used for each source, so choosing CD input automatically selects Pure Audio, whereas switching to Blu-ray will automatically set back to Surround. If you don't have this, I can see why you'd regularly need access to these buttons.

 

[strapped for cash]

This one displays he number buttons on the touch screen: http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/harmony-ultimate?crid=60 And in this one, the layout of the buttons is a bit higher: http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/harmony-smart-control?crid=60 I would buy a remote & try it first. Amazon has a good returns policy if not happy.

Thanks bigboss, though I don't think I'm in the market for one of highly specified Logitech remotes. I'm really only considering this because the CA remote is poorly laid out (if not unusable). The high end Logitechs would feel like overkill, especially since I only need to control a small number of devices.

 

[strapped for cash]

I use one with only hard buttons - like strapped, I'm not a big fan of touch screen remotes and find them much more difficult to use day to day since you can't just pick it up and feel your way. You've got to pick it up, look at it, find the right screen for what you want to do etc.

When setting up an AVR, you do need quite a few of the buttons, but I find for day to day usage, I really don't need much more than the power and volume controls for my AVR. Having said that, my AVR remembers the last mode I've used for each source, so choosing CD input automatically selects Pure Audio, whereas switching to Blu-ray will automatically set back to Surround. If you don't have this, I can see why you'd regularly need access to these buttons.

Likewise, I'm a fan of the reassuring click of a button and the option to feel my way around a remote control.

As Ben notes, the AVR is perhaps the complicating factor, because there are so many buttons and functions that would not necessarily correspond with buttons on the remote. However, I'm happy to concede that most buttons on the Yamaha remote are rarely pressed. They come into play when setting the receiver up, but as long as I can turn the device on and off, switch inputs without complication, and adjust the volume, I'm pretty much covered. The old Yamaha remote can be retrieved if I need to make more detailed adjustments (to DSP parameters, etc.).

The cheaper remote you linked to may be all I need. The only remaining questions are:

1. How sleek or tacky does it look/feel? (This can be difficult to tell from photographs online, where the quality of construction often isn't apparent.)

2. Will it operate all my devices? (Admittedly I'd probably only know this through experimentation.)

In the absence of a perfectly designed, affordable alternative, a £14 experiment with the option to return seems pretty sensible.

 

[professorhat]

1. How sleek or tacky does it look/feel? (This can be difficult to tell from photographs online, where the quality of construction often isn't apparent.)

Yup, never seen one unfortunately so I can't help here, but I guess you can't expect too much considering the price

2. Will it operate all my devices? (Admittedly I'd probably only know this through experimentation.)

Should be okay on this front since it's able to learn from existing remotes in absence of a code - I specifically looked for this since I know this is a major limitation on the code devices. I am assuming of course you have all the original remotes!

In the absence of a perfectly designed, affordable alternative, a £14 experiment with the option to return seems pretty sensible.

If you go for it, let us know how you get on. Would be good to know for future recommendations to friends and family.

 

[bigboss]

There are more options from the same brand:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-For-All-URC7557-Universal/dp/B003MV57LQ/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

If you want a robust quality, check this out (admittedly the ugliest I've seen):

http://www.oneforall.co.uk/en_UK/product/1/universal-remotes/2/comfort/32/protecto-4

 

[strapped for cash]

Admittedly the "protecto" looks like Batman's remote, which may suit some people.

I'm sure my local Tesco superstore stocks One for All remotes. I'm heading in that direction, so I'll pop in and see what they've got.