I need help deciding between the following options:

1. IPAQ H5450
2. Marantz RC9200
3. Philips Pronto Pro

Advantages and Disadvantages???

I guess with option 1 I have a top class PDA plus a Remote Control, but no RF option. Would I need an IR booster?

With options 2 and 3 obviously just dedicated Remotes but with RF options. Does anybody know if the Philips comes with an RF unit with the Remote. I know the Marantz does.

In addition to my audio visual items I would like the remote to control my environmental system. I have an infra red system that controls lights etc. plus my door entry / intercom system. I have limited mobility so I would really like one remote controller to do all.

Anybody have any thoughts.

Thanks in advance

Milan

With *any* PDA, you'll need some kind of IR booster or extender to make it really useful. Even the so-called comsumer IR on the newer devices is quite weak as compared to dedicated remote hardware.

These devices are usually well under $50- and don't work on all PDA hardware or PDA-based remote control software. But you will need them.

Since he's in the UK, he can use the Powermid pair from X-10. An added benefit is they communicate using 433.92MHz so it's possible to send IR to the Powermid and have the repeated 433.92MHz communicate with X-10 transceivers like the TM12 & TM13. You get an IR extender plus X-10 RF control.

I always forget about the Powermid people seem to like them though. I don't use X10 and my home is reinforced concrete and steel wall/floor beams.

The Powermid is right at the $50- level in the 'states.

but the powermids are not clip-on or anything, so the IR receiver part will need to be near and in front of his PDA

My X-10 Powermid receiver has a miniature jack to plug an IR emitter in.