WOW! I am a newbie to the whole remote thing. Here is my two cents for what it is worth.

I have a friend who is a part time installer. I have been a programmer (computer industry) for decades so he asked if i would like to help him out programming some remotes on the side. I thought it would be interesting. By coincedence, I was using a Harmony 880 that i found pretty cool when i bought it years ago. It just happend to die (buttons lost contact points etc.). So i thought to myself, Ill look into a higher end remote for better quality and kill two birds with one stone so to speak as i would get first hand experience in the programming aspest of it.

Now, I find Rich_Guys remarks to be childish. I dont know many people that would realistically go out and pay 300+ for a remote and not do a little research on what it will provide them, what they will be capable of themselves in use and programming, and what would require expert help.

By doing my research, I chose the MX-980 for several reasons. One: it can handle everything i wish to accomplish with my system, two: I looks really cool *grin*, three: my friend the installer is thinking of using it for his upcomming projects and installations (so i could get some extra $ helping him, see above).

Now, with that in mind, I went the route of a normal home based retail customer. I read everything i could get my hands on regarding the MX-980 and URC policies. Is that not what any semi intelligent consumer should do? I knew from my research that I had to purchase from a URC authorized retailer to obtain the updatable software. I am not going to argue URC's policy as this is America and they have the right to make any policy they wish regarding their products and customer base. I KNEW from my research if i purchased it from a big name retailer like Best Buy or Magnolia that i would "only" get the software that was not updatable. If i was unable to find a dealer that was able to give me the software then i simply would have gone a diffenent direction. If i had bought it and realized i was unable to get updatable software (due to lack of research) i simply would have returned it. I believe that is referred to as "common sense"?

Furthermore, I had some issues with getting Vista to recognize the remote. I read posts here and elsewhere. I even posted my delima and received several replies as to what could be the issue, all very welcomed and giving me some sort of direction. I called the authorized dealer and though they could not directly help me assured me they would support me if no resolution was found. I called URC and found the tech support guy to be nothing less than professional and helpful. He was not aware of the issue i was having but regardless, never questioned my status as a retailer, dealer, installer etc... he just simply tried to help me figure it out.

I was able, with some time and playing, figure out a work around to my issue. I also sent the retailer and URC my solution and was thanked by both. I got several thanks on this forum for posting my findings as well. All good things in my opinion.

So, in conclusion, I have found my first exploration into the high end remote world to be a good one. I never had to wait hours on the phone waiting for some customer service person to reply, I have been treated with respect from both dealer and URC. I was welcomed here at this site by long standing members even though I was asking newbie type questions.... and I ended up solving my delima.

So i have a hard time reading posts like the ones from Rich_Guy because it seems to me like its all sour grapes (buyers remorse) for not fully researching what he was getting into.

my two cents....