I have a couple dozen MX5000s in the field. Long enough to have begun replacing batteries. I guess 3 years plus. Maybe that is a small sample, but I have had no reports of battery life being short, nor have I ever had to send one in for repairs. I would say that compared to an all button remote, my clients perceive them as more of a luxury product, with the touchscreen and haptic feedback. My experience has been very good with them. That being said, I do not consider them to be Wi-Fi ready. I use them in IR mode with MRF base stations.