I was looking for an all purpose remote for some time. Based on what I had read, I was leaning toward a Pronto or a Harmon Kardon/Microsoft Take Control, but the cost was stopping me in my tracks. When I came across the $97 Take Control Remote deal (through the Tech Bargains link - $102 shipped), I couldn?t pass it up, especially since it?s through Harmon Audio which has a 30 day return policy ? so if it didn?t cut the mustard, I?m just out the shipping.
Anyway, I?ve received it and have to say that I like it. At first I was extremely concerned about the cons listed on several posts at remotecentral.com; I was prepared to swap out the IR LEDs, but the weak LCD fix (larger batteries with a major battery compartment modification) just seemed too messy. The unit I received was the JBL version and had already been upgraded to the version 1.5.065 software.
As for the complaint?s I?ve read about, here?s my take on them ?
· Week IR - My sitting position is 23 feet away from all of my equipment, and all of my equipment is behind a set of smoked glass doors. The remote has absolutely no problem controlling my Dish Network satellite receiver, new HK A/V receiver (which, interestingly enough, the canned codes in the remote didn?t work), Panasonic DVD player, Sony VCR or Mitsubishi projection TV. Granted I do need to point the remote in the direction of the equipment, but I had to with the remotes this replaced, so this is nothing new. Perhaps at a closer range you don?t need to be directional, but I?m not at a closer range.
· Dim LCD - The LCD is definitely nothing to brag about, but it is adequate; not the brightest display I?ve ever seen, and yes it?d be nice if it was indeed brighter, however it?s easily on par with any of the three Palm PDA?s that I?ve owned, and probably better than the m505 I have now. It?s adequate in daylighgt, and just plain
· Button to transmit lag long - I honestly can?t say that the ?lag? between pressing the remote LCD buttons is anything excessive, perhaps a ½ second delay at most. The scroll wheel has virtually no lag as far as I can tell; surfing is a breeze.
· LCD screen timeout a pain ? It can be, but then just set the time out option for a longer duration - What?s the issue here?
Other comments -
The software is easy to understand (and it better be ? there aren?t any instructions (which I?d just leave in the box anyway)), and the remote?s learning process is the best I?ve experienced and I?ve owned several ?learning? remotes.
Cons-
No it isn?t a perfect unit, but unless you design one yourself, you?re not going to find one. Things that tend to be a pain:
· I can?t seem to customize the location (text yes, location no) of the buttons; if there?s a way to do this, I?d like to know.
· You do have to go through multiple screens to view all the buttons for a devices, but this is a problem with almost any display remote.
· It?s definitely a physically larger remote; not uncomfortable in one hand, but something you need to get used to.
All in all it looks like it?ll be a keeper.