I have installed 100's of mx850's and 900's. Would love to have charger/battery and a light to automatically come on. Is the cost difference for the mx950 worth it? I will not be using the variables...

I would say it's really more about how many devices/zones you need to control. The MX-950 is capable of 255 devices and 255 pages per device. Just for a rechargeable battery and light that comes on upon pick up, that's $250.00 more than an MX-900. If you need to control multiple zones or a lot of equipment, then it's worth it. If you don't need the power of the remote, then it may not be worth it for you.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

I have a 900 and a 950 to control two seperate systems.

The 900 would fulfill the needs of either systems but I do like the 11 digit ability on the lcd of the 950. The rechargable battery is an added bonus. The larger, more flexible lcd display with the ability to change the backlight colors and the auto backlight(actually there is no display until you pick it up) would probably be the main reason I like the 950 better.

I recently added lighting contol to the 950 in the house. Thats were you may run out of 'power' with a 900 depending on how many activitys you have set up and the amount of lighting control you have.

I thought I would never replace my 850 but the 900 is better and the 950 is that much better than the 900.

If all you want is a rechargeable remote, it may not be cost effective.

If your always looking for new things to control with your remote(as I am), the 950 is money well spent.

Why do you like it better for multiple zones?

I like it for multiple zones, because it has 10 LCD buttons, making it easier to navigate a lot of options, plus it's ability to have up to 255 components and 255 pages per component.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

I'm curious as to why everyone likes the rechargeable remotes so much. To me they are a disaster waiting to happen. The kids pick it up and use it half the night and when you get up in the morning and pick up the remote it's dead as a door nail. Now your forced to leave it on the charger until charges up enough for you to use it. I also don't like being "tethered" to the cradle. At the end of the day the remote always has to find its way to a charger that may not be where your sitting at the time.

The other disadvantage IMO is the fact that the rechargeable batteries wear out, can be expensive and may be difficult to find if you need to replace one. if these remotes would take rechargeable AAA batteries that you could recharge on a cradle as well as regular alkaline batteries that would be the cats meow. That way if the remote got left off the charger you could just pop in some regular batteries to get up and running again.

Just my 2 cents worth as an end user/DYI.

I was concerned about that at first.
When I replaced my 850 with the 950, I pointed out that the remote MUST be returned to the charger when your done with it.
It has worked out great.
Not only is the battery always charged, you can also find the remote!!
No more searching through the couch cushions our anywere else.
When you want to watch tv, the remote is always in the same place.

The battery is a standard pack that is commonly used in the RC car and plane world.
I've seen them priced from $14 to $20 although I haven't needed to replace mine YET.
It's been almost 1-1/2 years so I know I'm getting close!

It would be nice if they were rechargable AAA's so you could keep a back-up.
I'm sure my pack will fail at the start of a 3-day holiday, our the hobby shop will be out!

Everyone here has a cell phone which needs to be charged regularly, we got used to that. Most of us have cordless phones which have to be charged regularly, we all got used to that. Many of us have PDAs that have to be charged regularly, no problem, we got used to that too.

Rechargable remotes are no different. Like Pilgram said, what happens is that it is always charged and you always know where it is. It takes very little getting used to. At night when I put the cordless phone, cell phone and PDA on the chargers I drop the remote into the cradle.

Much like the other devices, if you don't put it back every day, so be it, the remote doesn't die that fast. I can get 3+ days out of my 950 and 3000 if I forget to charge them.

If you do find it dead, it will power up and operate as soon as you put it in the cradle so you're not


You really do make it a normal part of your life pretty quickly.

I guess it makes sense. But training the other members of the family is the real challenge. I bought the 900 over the 950 because of the charging base. I didn't want to deal with having to put it in the charger. I guess I would get used to it as several of you have said.

I'll wait and see what URC comes out with next in their complete control line. Then maybe I will upgrade.

I have a 900 in my shop/office/garage because of the charger base! I have the 900 mounted on an 'arm' from the left side of my desk. The charger base would have looked stupid connected to the 3/8" square tube mount I made. I also need the display to be on at all times since I don't pick it up. The 950 display comes on with a button press but that isn't what I wanted.

I'm glad they make a variety.

Pick the one that works best in you situation. I'm happy with both!