Just wondering what remotes the other pros are using for a $200/retail for the cheap customer. I am currently using the MX-500 but dont really care for any of the Univeral Remote Control remotes. I have not tried the MX-700, however it is priced in the pronto/rti range and I dont need another remote at that price point. Has anyone tried the UCommand stuff, if so what do you think?

Personally, I have not found one yet. I've tried, but found that a cheap customer does not have cheap expectations, and the inexpensive remote won't do the trick for them or for you.

I agree Theaterworks, I am just losing time and money in service calls because the customer cant "get it". I wanted feedback from all who are in the business and post here, about there experiences with other remotes around this price range. I wonder why manufactureres dont produce a quality remote at this price point.
Thanx Theaterworks and to all others in advance.

We usually sell the Prontos, but for the clients that wanna cheap out and deal with aggrivation we sell the SL-9000. They are great remotes for a few components, but most clients have problems using them. We have one client that constanly calls us for help on his Pronto. I don't get it! I go to his house and he says "O.k., so I hit the 'On' button to turn it on, and then what do I press if I want to watch TV?" Me: "Just press the 'WATCH TV' butoon sir"
Him: "O.k., but what do I press if I want to watch a DVD" ME: "Just press the 'WATCH A DVD' button sir"

You wouldn't think that is hard to figure out, but he still doesn't understand. The thing that really gets me is that he is only in his 30's, and I wrote instructions up for him with pictures of the buttons.

I've found that the SIMA SUR-20 (also available under other names) is pretty easy to use for most folks; plus it's hi tech enough that they are attracted to it.

No labels, but it's a ton easier to set up than an SL9000.

We really don't have a remote right at that price point but we do a good bit of work with the marantz RC3200 if the RC5200 is just more than they want. Below that we can do the marantz RC1200 and 2000 remotes, but of course they're not pc programmable and not quite as user friendly, though I can usually get 'em down to "one-button" macros.

They're really paying for the convenience, and if they are put off by the price, well then, how much do they want it?

Nick

The more I use the MX-500 the more I come to respect just how powerful it is, I know that it's not PC-programable but, since all of the guys at my shop got together and decided on a standard layout (useing the "Push and Hold" macro's we seem to be having a lot less headaches with customer stupidity.

One of the other guys I work with has suggested that we try out the ProntoNeo, But we haven't convinced the Boss yet, What do you guy's think, Neo or MX-500?

If you don't need a touchscreen, the Xantech URC2 is hard to beat, at the $200 price-point. It's PC-programmable and you can place *any* command or macro on *any* button.

Guys, I can't urge you enough. Sell the Sony RMVL900. This remote, over the counter sells for about $69 retail. We sell it for $100 - $125 programmed with macros. Here's what you do. You put the discretes found on this website into an unused function, like MD. Then program your macros per function...ex. function TV: tv turn on, amp turn on, tv to tuner, amp to tv. To execute the macro, the customer presses and holds the desired function. The remote also has 3 unlabled macro buttons, that I use for system off. We call it the "One touch" remote.

I'm with you Tony,

the xantech URC-2 is definitely my pick for cheaper customers and even for more complicated systems. It has most of the benefits of the pronto (without the screen) and its more durable for the kids.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Tony and Wil, how do you handle the transport functions and menu control functions for DVD and VCR players? The URC-2 stacks these functions on the same buttons, right? I like what I have seen about the URC-2 except that one feature. Maybe I am being to picky or looking for something that dosent exist, I dont know. I do know that my customers arent receptive to the MX-500, so I need to change to something else.

Try the Harmony, but beware, it needs ALOT more TLC than they (Harmony) claims. It does some pretty cool semi-sync thing though..

What I do for those functions is I make two of the arrow keys at the bottom of the remote to place my tier 1 and tier 2 command. It is easier than having to hold the function key for 3 seconds exactly. My customers can never get it to work that way.

I also use the URC-2 alot. I had issues with the transport functions also. I started putting both the cursor commands and functions on the same button. For example "arrow up" and "pause" commands both are sent when that button is pressed. I rarely have an conflicts other than the circle with the line through it on the screen. The one command you can't enter is the "stop" button. I just have customers use pause.

Tim,
Have you seen or tried the SIMA SUR-25? It has more "hard" buttons than the SUR 20. What do you think of it?