Well, we don't know the full programing features yet do we? Still need the software... as an owner of the 950 and the 900 I think the button layout and styling looks like a nice improvement. But I really cannot believe they did not include a cradle. You know how unprofessional it looks having a loose cord sitting on a table or something to plug your remote into? And as the earlier poster said it gives it a real nice "home" so you don't lose it. And it sounds like the design of the 810 does not even allow an optional cradle purchase?! That completely rules it out as a respectable high end remote in my mind. ($400 price tag for a remote is high end in 90% of peoples minds). But the 980 is looking pretty promising so we won't have to live in cradle-less shame for long.

I really don't understand some of URC's decisions, like they decided to change to device and function buttons to the 810, but not the 980. They added record button (needed in the DVR age) to the 810 but not the 980. I suppose they are trying to make the 810 a more "simple" remote like the Harmony 890 but the price tag does not match up. On remotes released 2 months apart I'd expect similarities. Not sure if their overall vision and uniformity is under control. Just my $.02

I agree, although I think that a $400 remote is high end for more like 98% of the people!

Also, I totally agree about URC's inconsistencies in some areas, although by and large I think they have some overall great products especially since the whole RF is improving.

The 810 has PREV CH which is outdated, (which I've lobbied against for years already - it should just be PREV, since it is used to back out of menus, etc. - and is also above the MUTE button, which gets used a lot less than the PREV button) and yet is has a RECORD buton, which is up-to-date.

The more expensive 980, which has a great layout, has PREV in the righ tplace, but no RECORD button.

I don't get it... :-/

Yes, I love my 900 and 950 to be sure. I don't mean to come off as a URC hater at all. I like their products they've just got me a little confused as to their vision and marketing.

Edit: Didn't even notice the Prev CH button or the placement of it above Mute, agreed it makes no sense.

You don't come across as a URC hater any more than I do. They make a great product and are improving all the time.

I think once you see the programming software for the MX810, a more advanced programmer would be more inclined to jump from a MX900 to the MX980.

The MX810 software is truely designed for the "novice Harmony" type programmer. It leads you thru every individual device, brand, and model programming step, where in the MX900 you just used a single drop down screen to import a device, brand, and model.

Is there any update on when we might be able to purchase the MX810?

No. Still waiting for some software issues to be ironed out. As much as I'd like to see it released, I'd rather wait than be plagued with buggy software.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

It sounds like this is being delayed to the point of being released about the same time as the MX-980. Unless the 980 gets pushed back too. :(