Buy.com has the Intrigue Technologies Harmony SST-659 for 149.99 with free shipping

[coolred]

Harmony SST-659

I don't own this remote, but I have heard nothing but good things about it. Here is a very in depth review of the remote.

Also here is another review from Cnet as well as 37 user reviews, with a 92% positive rating.

I am strongly considering purchasing one of these, although Harmony just rbought out a new model, the 688 model sells for a bit more(250.00 I think), not sure yet of the differances. I do know that the 659 is supposedly family oriented, so anyone should be able to use it.

 

[bradolson]

nice remote. if you want to save a little, overstock.com has reconditioned versions for $104.99 here. i would imagine that nothing is wrong with them - probably just returns from people that didn't know how to operate them or who didn't realize that you need the PC interaction to make it work.

also, etronics carries it new for around $119 plus shipping here

 

[coolred]

Sweet even better deals, thanks.


I am still trying to deicde if its worth it for me. One problem i see is that I use a PS2 for DVD playback, and I don't know if the remote is capable of starting the PS2. I say starting because its pretty much always on witht he red light, but you have to insert a disc or press the button to get it to start. Also I would rather use my PC as my DVR rather then invest in a Tivo, not quite sure how this works. I did see All In Wonder and AIW 9700 listed when i did the test drive on harmony's site, but not sure how that works as they are RF remotes not IR.

 

[bradolson]

yeah, if you need RF you would run into problems. you might want to look at the universal remote MX-600. i have the MX-500 and it is great. the 600 adds RF capabilities and some other improvements.

 

[coolred]

Well the Ps2 is IR, the only thing I have that is RF is the AIW, but I suppose since it comes with a decent remote, i could always just use the 2. Just wondering if its worth the cost. 120.00 is a good deal, but when i consider that I only need the Tv remote to watch TV or VCR, the only thing the harmony would help me with is when watching a DVD, then I have to use the TV, Receiver, and DVD remotes.

 

[nvektus]

the sst-659 is a very cool remote! it took me 30 minutes to program all my gears into it which is a relief. and i don't have to worry about losing or messing up the programming of the remote either since intrigue stores it in their server. i used to have a sony avr-3000 and was a pita especially if you have to re-program. i'd ask intrigue though before buying from buy.com, they might not be authorized reseller. if you end up havingg problems with it, you might not get tech support.

 

[enddogg]

I've been looking into purchasing this remote and there are some coupon links out there that could possibly take this down to $125 ... I've never purchased from buy.com before but there are 2 $10 ones and 1 $5 one ... don't know if they are stackable or not but they loaded into my shopping cart alright.

 

[JoeyM]

Overstock refurb $105 if you're willing to take a chance.
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=650092

 

[T2T III]

I've been looking into purchasing this remote and there are some coupon links out there that could possibly take this down to $125 ... I've never purchased from buy.com before but there are 2 $10 ones and 1 $5 one ... don't know if they are stackable or not but they loaded into my shopping cart alright.

Surfremotecontrol.com has it for $119 + shipping. Surf is authorized, too. Their Web site indicates the price is $189, but you'll just need to click on their link to request an updated price and they'll send it to you via E-mail in about 2 minutes.

I've been playing with this remote for this past week. Very nice remote. Very easy to program. I might return the current on I have to Best Buy because the volume button seems to be sticking a little bit. Also, Best Buy's price is $199 + tax.

When it comes to remotes, it doesn't get much easier than this.

Also, Logitech is buying out this company as was announced about a week ago.

 

[jasonja]

Is anyone having problems with their website? I tried the testdrive and the website gave me contant errors. I also saw a couple reviews that complained about the same issue, rendering the remote useless since they could never get thru the setup.

 

[aperry]

I have not used their testdrive site, but the member's site works like a charm for me... I even have my DVD jukebox titles loaded in (so I don't have to remember that MASH Season 3 Disc 1 is in slot 347).

 

[jasonja]

Is the site working for you now? I click on members login and I get the standard "Page cannot be found" error. I'd be pretty pissed if I needed to program my remote right now.

 

[corinthos]

damn... $150 for a remote? it must be some remote!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: corinthos
damn... $150 for a remote? it must be some remote!

Hopefully I'll find out (one day).

 

[ActuaryTm]

...ensures support of all infrared-controlled devices made by any manufacturer, including TiVo, HDVCR, HDTV, Plasma Displays, Monitors, Projectors, Lighting Control, CD/DVD-R, PVR, Satellite Radios, Amplifiers, DVD Players, Receivers, Dual VCRs and even combination devices like DVD-VCR components.

Will hold out for the model that also supports "wives".

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: bradolson
yeah, if you need RF you would run into problems. you might want to look at the universal remote MX-600. i have the MX-500 and it is great. the 600 adds RF capabilities and some other improvements.

I have the MX-700, which is programmable via your PC. Very powerful remote. Obtainable new on ebay for around $180 shipped. The MX-800 adds RF capability for another $100.

The Harmony SST-659, which this thread is based on, was high on my list of candidates. I did read a number negative comments about it, however, most notably complaints about the position of the transport buttons, at the bottom of the remote. I read much less negative about the MX-700, but it is more expensive.

 

[bradolson]

For anyone still considering this Harmony remote, Buy.com has it as part of their One-Day-Sale today for only $110.49 with free shipping. Same link as in the original post.

 

[IgorTs]

i bought it for $1, had a problem with satellite receiver, going on ebay...

 

[coolred]

1 dollar, what the heck are you talking about. I am still wondering if I want this or not, it sounds really cool, but just not sure how it will work with my setup