Just curious how some of you became beta testers of remotes? For URC only or any brand?

Maybe this remote would be the one to replce my RM-AV3000... I'll keep reading here.

It certainly sounds like a great remote!

I'm looking forward to seeing the software, along with some reviews. I'd like to replace the MX-850 my wife is using with one that is a little more current... and a little more narrow-band so it will work with the MSC-400.

I wonder if they'll update the 950 to a color screen now that they are using one on a lower model. Is the screen the same size?

And while I think the Device and Function buttons could probably have been left off, I do see what they were trying to do there. I will say that the Watch and Listen buttons on my 950 are the dumbest idea in quite some time. I use only the Watch panel because I hardly do anything that is really just listening with no visual. It is a silly waste of prime button space.

It definatley has a slightly cheesy feel compared to the 900 and the fact that you have to plug it in is wack. I mean what could a cradle possible cost? Sorry for the cell phone shot.

I agree about the charging station, but I like the positive "click" of the buttons better than the 900.

Not shipping this unit with a cradle will be a big mistake, I hope the will at least make it an optional part number.

I can imagine the first time I try to explain they will need to plug it in like a cell phone every few days. That's not going to give the "pro" feel good experience.

Thought I would post a cleaner image of the shot above. I really like the feel of the buttons and as mentioned earlier the definite "click" is nice.


CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL RES SHOT

-3B

Agree with others. The lack of a cradle will be a huge "dis-incentive" for this remote. The colour lcd that lights up with a tilt sensor is going to be power hungry. Even Harmony has cradles, granted, they don't work well - but at least it is a cradle.

Are you saying you would be happy if they included a cradle from the MX-950 even if it didn't necessarily work with the MX-810?

I can't see how they could make it an option. Wouldn't there have to be some sort of contact points on the back of the remote to connect with the cradle? As it looks now, the way to charge it is via the side connector. I do agree that a cradle would have been real nice, but think about your cell phone. Do you get aggravated when you have to plug it in to charge it every couple of days? I don't. It's just a fact of life I deal with. I am curious as to how much life I'll get out of a full charge. I know that will vary based on usage and backighting preferences, but if I only have to plug it in every couple of weeks, no biggie.

The jack for charging is on the bottom of the remote. It's similar to a cell phone charger jack, so a charging cradle would have to include the plug. It would be an awkward setup.

I do like the fact that you can either activate the backlight on pickup OR by using the Light button on the side of the remote like many of the other URC remotes. Gives you more options depending on the installation.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

In regards to battery life, I checked mine last night and it still shows about 30% battery. This is after an initial charge about 10 days ago (cant remember the exact night). I have used it for regular channel surfing etc for the past week. I think the remote, even under heavy use will last multiple days and personally dont see having to plug it in as much of a problem. It is still much better than replacing batteries.

It would be nice if it was via cradle, but with the type of plug that is on the remote, there is no way they could make a cradle in the style of say the 950 or 3000 where the remote just rests on the contacts.

-3B

Marcus,

I understand that the 810 was not designed with a cradle. I am saying that I believe that this will prove to be a costly design choice if the power drain proves to be such that you have to plug the remote in for a charge too frequently. Although it is nice to hear that after 10 days it is still alive and kick'n. Lets face it. A remote is not a cell phone. The common accepted standard for rechargeable remotes that use Lithium Ion batteries (no memory or fear of overcharging) is a charging cradle (like MX-950). This means two things to the customer: 1. The remote is always, or has the ability to be always, charged and 2. The remote has a 'storage' place (harder to misplace a remote if you place in back in the cradle).

In order to give the MX-810 a cradle it would take a physical redesign. I just can't figure out why URC chose this route (a cell phone like charging system). They already had a cradle form factor from the MX-950 that they could have used when designing the MX-810. Same part for both models would have made sense to me. It probably has something to do with wanting to use the same form factor between the MX-810 and the R-70, without negatively impacting remotes currently at a higher price point.

Only time will tell how this design choice will impact final acceptance from the consumer. I do think that every major reviewer will mention the charging system as a "con".

That being said, I am looking forward to seeing how this remote performs.

I have to say, I've been using one for a while now, and I love it. Battery life is quite good and I keep the charger right next to the couch and when I see the battery getting low I plug it in for a night. I probably charge it every 2 weeks or so, this little gem has to be charged much less than the 950 or 3000 because when the 810 shuts down, it is really not doing anything at all, unlike the 950 and 3000.

I think when these get out into customers hands they are going to love them. You can't beat it for the money, great screen, great battery life, great ergonomics. Everyone is so used to plugging in their cell phones the charger won't even phase them, heck, it hasn't bothered me yet because I have to charge my cell phone 5 or 6 times for every time I have to charge the MX-810.

I think the difference is this, the 950 and 3000 have to have a cradle because they have to be charged constantly because of the processor that is always running. The MX-810 can get away without a charging base because it has to be charged fairly infrequently.

I agree with your comments Eric as it will be easy for me to set up the charger in my different viewing areas. What I am more concerned about is what the programming capability will be. I am hoping it will be able to do mostly everything the mx-900 can do and also have some of the graphics capability of the mx-3000. Can't wait to hear more details...

Pete

You can't beat it for the money, great

That's the point! This is a $399 product with lots of features. If you want a rechargable w/cradle, spend $699 and get a 950 or $1k for a 3000. Or just wait for the new MX980...