When I first purchased my MX-5000 around a year ago; I said to myself, "this is a stupid place for the USB port".
I didn't have much faith in it's construction. I delicately removed the cable every time I made a change to my configuration.

Well today the cable came off with the mini USB port.
A $1200.00 brick!

What do you guys think? Is the USB port on the MX-5000 well constructed or did I just create bad Karma towards my remote?

Has anyone opened one of these things? I'm sure I can solder the port back on the board and save shipping and repair costs!!!!!!

Did you already contact URC to see how they can help? How far past a year has it been? They may be willing to help you out.

I have not called URC. The remote is just over a year old.
My dealer is a flake and sells his products like "crack"!
I don't even remember getting a receipt with the purchase.

I'll see what URC can do today!

I understand you are angry, but not only have I sold quite a few of these with no problems from my customers, but I have one myself that I must say get's beat up quite a bit. I would think your problem is isolated. Not getting a receipt from a questionable dealer is never a good thing. You should call URC and at least explain the problem and should contact the dealer who should have a record of the sale. This does not sound like an incredibly expensive repair regardelss, but it's best to take action sooner than later.

Why are you limiting your options to either/or? It could be poor design AND bad Karma!

That said, your remote should have the USB port in the best possible condition since you realized at the beginning that the design was flaky and you therefore carefully protected the connection.

And, here's the old standard song again: what do you do for a living? Is this another case of someone who is not a dealer for URC, having a problem with URC? It's not intended for programming by end users.

Ernie,

You're probable right about poor design and Karma. :)

And the USB port is still in the best possible condition; unfortunately it is still attached to the cable and not the remote!

As for what I do for a living. Thanks for asking!

Aside from making poor purchasing decisions!!!!LOL
I work for Michael Jordan Motorsports as a race engineer.
www.23race.com/
Away from the track I'm involved in the designing and building of our wiring harness's for both data acquisition and engine management systems. All built with Auto-sport Millspec connectors. At the track I work with our other engineer's and the related software regarding the above mentioned systems.

Although I no longer work in the trade; I'm also a licensed Master Electrician in Ontario, Canada. I've worked on some large projects doing the conduit and cable pulling for you guys. I've even worked on a few theater projects in Toronto when there was a large theatre update in the late 90's and early 2000's.

No I am not a dealer with URC and I'm not upset with them in anyway.
Ernie, CCP can be given to end user's for programming. I find it less complicated then what I work with day in and day out in the racing industry!

My dealer supplied me the CCP software and turned out to be flaky regarding a defective R-972 Sherwood Newcastle receiver that I purchased through him.
Let's just say he didn't come through in the past and I don't expect him to this time either. I have e-mailed him about my problem! We'll see if he does anything about it!

I think the MX-5000 USB port is fine if you only plan on programming it a few times. It's held down with a couple of solder points. Guys like me who are constantly tweaking are probable not what this remote was intended for.
Now if they could just put in an Autosport Millspec. connector like our Superbike download cable............LOL

URC responded quickly!

We appreciate you contacting Universal Remote Control, Inc and your continued patronage.

Unfortunately we no longer do repairs on remote controls, however, we do have a replacement policy. Please give us a call at Technical Support at the number listed below so we can set up an RGA for you to arrange to have the remote sent back to us. In most cases we can transfer the programming as well however cannot guarantee that. We hope this information is helpful.

So I called the number and have been informed that URC only replaces remotes at the cost of $648.00 for the MX-5000. The only thing covered under warranty is the battery and battery door cover? The USB port or any solder connection is not covered under warranty. They basically told me to call my dealer and pass the buck onto him! Remind me not to become an URC dealer!

Well at least it's programmed and functioning.
I've also managed to put the USB socket on the cable and hold it in pace while it downloads.

Poor product support on such an expensive remote......Oh well!

Anyone know how to open a MX-5000?

I think you have to get pretty violent to open those things. They are basically snapped together if it is like their other remotes. Twist it real hard and wait for something to pop loose? :)

I want photos of the Millspec connector mod when you are done. Do it! :)

You're right. The Harmony remote was made for people who want to tweak. It assists them, even, by making it necessary!

How did we get to Harmony remotes? Are you sure you're not tweaking Ernie?
In case you didn't notice we are in the URC section of the forum!

On another note:
I managed to repare the remote on my own! A small flatblade scew driver and some patience and the remote came apart quite easily. I resoldered the USB connector onto the board and everything works fine. 15 minutes of my time saved me $648. My MX-5000 lives to tweak another day!!!!
No need for a Harmony just yet Ernie; I'll be sure too ask you for advise if I ever decide to make such a purchase!

Thanks guys;)

Very lame on URC's part. Hey, we are the ones that keep these places in business.

It's tough to point the finger if you are not personally involved in the incident, so don't judge. Not to say the remote was or wasn't abused in the process of "tweeking"...

Hate to bring up an old thread, but the MX-5000 died while charging on the cradle. So, it basically lasted just over two years!

Nice piece of engineering URC!

Any suggestions on what to replace it with?
1200 or 980?

RTI

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