I think I understand now. The 3100 is IR-only and the X-10 remote can be switched back and forth. The X-10 should be in IR mode when used to program the 3100 and should be in RF mode when used normally. Only remotes in RF mode can be pointed anywhere and still control the X-10 devices. Therefore, regardless of whether I am using the x-10 remote in the IR mode or the 3100, the remote has to be pointed directly at the IR543.

1) Is this right? If so, it kinda sucks because the x-10 has more functionality with the original, ugly remote than with the expensive 3100 because the 3100 requires the user to be in line-of-sight.

2) Is there a work-around such that a user could control the x-10 devices other than by line-of-sight ?