This comes from a thread about MX850 problems:


Okay. I'm with you. I see what you're getting at. And surely you're not suggesting that because it's been around for a long time, we should do without something that works as well as it does.

So...
What remote control with similar features is on the market now?
*no illumination to drain the batteries, so rechargeables aren't necessary
*consequently long battery life with regular batteries
*simple to operate
*a years-long track record of WORKING and not falling apart or malfunctioning
*button artwork that takes YEARS to fade (you don't have this problem with more "advanced" remotes that quit working before the buttons could possibly fade)

What is the product that will take the place of the MX850?



(About buttons fading: it's been noted that, among the general population, cancer is as prevalent, or more so, than it has been in the past. But analysis shows that advances in control of other diseases have made it possible for people who might have died of other things to now grow old enough to die of cancer. You won't die of cancer if your heart kills you when you're 30 years old; buttons won't fade if the remote dies in a year!)

If you are glued to URC, I would guess the following.... (retail prices)

TRC 780 - 250
MRF 350 - 300

I do Pro Control (and some RTI) so for 1-way RF ....

Remote - 250
Processor - 250
Dock - 30

A double or triple A battery is probably not an option anymore, that I can think of, on the pro side of things.

I finally have to replace my first Pro Control remote if four years for a client. (It still lights up but the touchscreen is unresponsive. It's in a poolhouse too, so I know it takes a beating.) Out of maybe 50 systems in the field, I'd say that's pretty good.

I have hundreds of remotes out there, mostly MX900, MX780, and MX890s. I have not come across a single one with faded buttons. I did have a couple TRC1080s in the TC lineup that did have the buttons chip, but that was a known issue and URC stepped up to the plate and replaced them. MX900 is light years better than the 850 and just as reliable. The only issue is the known button problem where the keypad wears and does not make proper contact. A simply swap of the keypad and its as good as new. These keypads are available from URC and VERY inexpensive. This remote give you true/false variables, the ability to have more than 2 main pages, long lasting battery life, and feels good in the hand.

The MX780 works like the 900 in terms of programming. It has a color screen and is a little smaller. You can set the button light turn off time, as well as the screen if you wish to have the remote batteries last longer. Most I have out there seems to last 4 or 5 months on a set. If kids are using it or an extreme channel flipper, a little less.

For a more powerful solution and more customization, step up to the 890. Best feeling remote in the hand I have ever used. Ergonomically, its just fantastic IMHO. You can do some custom graphics if you wish to to stand out. You can purchase some themes and graphics from some places as well, like blackmancustoms.com. You can program string variables and do some more powerful stuff, and can also utilize the built in clock features, which REALLY were great when coupled with the URC lighting that sadly were discontinued. Before switching to Total Control and Ra2, my MX890 handled all the schedules for my outdoor lighting.

Like I said, the MX850 was a great remote in its time. But two main pages, limit to 5 characters per button, no variables, serial connection. Its time for it to be put out to pasture.

TRC780 is a total control remote. That and the MX780 retail for $299, not $250. The MRF350 retails for $250, not $300.

Yup, I screwed up the 780, but all the pricing is C@pitol's loaded MSRP ! :)

Either way, Ernie should take a deep dive (deeper than I) on the current CCP line.

I see the MX-780 getting on average about 4-5 months battery life as well (good alkaline batteries).
I have some customers, that are heavy users and I have the backlight & screen set to 20secs. They go thru batteries the most but still get a good 2 months out of theirs.
I have had a few customers that went an entire year on the included URC batteries. Got a call when they went dead "something is wrong with the remote". Once on site and checked it out "You have never replaced the batteries?" WTF!

The dealer cost on the MX-780 is cheaper than the MX-850 or MX-900. But the $299 retail price is kind of bogus, since URC allows the remote to be sold for $199 EVERYWHERE on the internet. I sell mine at $249 and 1/2 the time the customer will see it for $199 on the internet and balk at the price.
"For $249 if something goes wrong with the remote, I come out and swap it right then".
"If you buy it from the internet, good luck not watching TV for a week while waiting for a replacement"

I did have an idiot one time get mad with me, because I wouldn't swap his remote that he bought from the internet.
Customer: "You are a URC dealer right?"
Me: "Yes but I didn't sell you the remote"
Customer: "Well the car dealership has no problem with warranting my car I got from another place"
Me: "Well when people start paying $40K for a remote, I might get paid by the manufacture to care"

Maybe he's from Canada, eh?

Close :)

Take off, eh!

What's that all aboot?

I've been pleasantly surprised by the MX-990. Looks almost identical to the MX-980 in photos, but it's a lot thinner, lighter, and better feeling. Finally has the color buttons, too.

Ive used the MX-980 as a goto remote for years
Just got my first MX-990 20 minutes ago and so far I like it.

Like Mr tonks said. thinner lighter, color buttons etc

ProControl has been good last few years. Sometimes locks up when battery drains - requires resetting power button. Processor has relays and sensor and option to use iPad app.

Forget about the fading of the keys on the mx-780, how about the darkening of the OLED screen on the mx-780?

And how does that affect any of the 780s sold today? It was a known issue and they replaced any remote with screen issues. They since changed the screens to bright LCDs that do not have the dimming issues.

C4