Thread: New Harmony Remote" the Touch

Many of you on this forum like Harmony Remote Controls. Here is a new one called the Touch. "It's features include a screen in the middle, with transport buttons at the top, and other buttons towards the bottom. There are less buttons on this remote then most Harmony Remotes. Disappointment: No RF Control at this time. They say that this Remote uses different software then the rest of the Harmony Remotes. There are a number of things that you can do on the screen itself like scrolling horizontally and vertically. Some of it's operations are not yet explained (fuzzy). The MSRP is $249.00.

I just reviewed this remote over at HTR.

I would thik twice before buying a new product from a company getting out of the remote business.

Originally Posted by k0rww

I would thik twice before buying a new product from a company getting out of the remote business.

I would have to agree with you Richard.

This does look like an interesting remote, though. I like the customization of the touch screen. I was going to criticize it for having all the transport buttons on top, but the video explains that you can program the touchscreen with gestures to act as fast-forward and other helpful functions.

I would have liked to see it have RF capabilities. Since they are really marketing the programmable touchscreen, I can tell you first hand, that it is more difficult to operate and keep pointed towards your equipment. "Hard buttons" are much easier to operate without looking at the remote.

Originally Posted by k0rww

I would thik twice before buying a new product from a company getting out of the remote business.

+1

I agree with you all that if Logitech is truly leaving the business like other's have done, I would avoid it also. I to, am disappointed that it will not have RF control. The big picture for me is this trend of companies getting away from manufacturing these Remotes. We lost Pronto, Nevo, etc. I really don't think that using smart phones, Ipads, etc are not a good way to do HT Remotes. I previously posted the Bit Wise info (Welcome to Bitwise Solutions, Inc.) It has certain deficiencies, and the price is high, not to mention buying the Ipad or smart phone for this. I'm sure that Logitech will continue to sell computer related items. Those things must be more profitable for them. One last point: Since Harmony Remotes were purchased at stores like best Buys. The customer's who were trying to program themselves, and had difficulty, tied up their tech support phone numbers big time. They had to hire a lot more tech support agents to accomodate this.

I submitted this review before the announcement that Logitech was getting rid of the remote line. I'm still holding on to hope that someone else will acquire the Harmony line. Dennis Burger makes a great case for why a company like Control4 should pick it up.

While I love my Harmony 1 & still use a 880 in my bedroom I won't be getting the touch until it's clear on what happens to the database & online setup if/when Logitech sells or just shuts down Harmony.