"Glow"



picture of european version with row of colored buttons beneath numberpad

Hope this helps...

Dave

Finally, large print buttons. For our application this may actually be worth replacing the 659.

where did you see that. My guess if anything it would be less not more. 7xx had more 6xx had less, 5xx my guess means less (also a lower price makes it more obvious that it is less not more)

Maybe not... after all time has passed since the 6xx release... maybe the 520 has nearly the same features and costs less because a new 6xx series will do more than the new 520... Sounds good to me.

They probably limited the number of devices to 12 on purpose to make it a little less powerful than the 6xx... I think that for the less "professional" user the 5xx would be a good choice (less buttons means easier sometimes)... at least if, after limiting the devices to 12, they don't do something stupid like limiting the activities to, let's say, 8?
That would make the remote all but useful...

Actually, I think that the 520 has less than the 2 MB of memory that the 6XX models have. (I don't know how much the 880 has.) This is possible because they eliminated the Media button. Honestly, I don't think many people really use it as is. The lower memory is probably why the 520 can't support as many devices. There are very few A/V systems where I can think of 12 devices being a serious limitation, though.

As for capabilites, I can't see what they would change. If you take away any capabilities (other than the Media button - which relatively few people use), you'll change the whole Harmony activity-based model.

As for the graphical setup program - I think that they're trying to make their business model more scalable - that is more able to support a larger customer base without capitol investment in servers and bandwidth. As a result, I think the new software will be more of a client server model but will access to the online database. The real bottleneck is the processing power required to assemble/compile the remotes' ROM for upload - moving that process to customers' computers should save Logitech some serious money in the long-run and allow them to expand their marketshare without having to invest in additional hardware for each customer.

Notice that they are rolling the new software out to all remotes.

Honestly, though, the 520 has about as few buttons as the 768. Its tough to operate a DVD player (and some PVR's) using so few buttons.

I think the lower price point may be because Logitech is not Harmony. Logitech's style is to sell to all price/feature points. Correct me if I'm wrong but my short time shopping for remotes, Harmony seemed like a company that was playing in the mid to high end market in price and performance. Logitech will play there, but they also like to make money in the high volume market too. They can do this because they have the manufacturing ability to crank stuff out and the volumes to squeeze low prices out of suppliers. I bet that Harmony had no where near the clout Logitech has with suppliers.

So the 520 may be the first play for the lower end market. Trying to draw people away from the RCA/Radio Shack universal remote crowd. Next guess as to what they do is simplify the mid range by discontinuing models. Harmony's lineup is just too confusing the way it is setup now.

Looks very good. Might get one for my bedroom.

I like the fact that the LCD labels are using two lines:

I'm sure many people benefit from the media button. Makes the wife's life a lot easier. No messing around with a guide - just zap straight to one of the programmed favorites !!

Anyone found any for sale yet??

Wow. That is one beautiful remote. I hope it works as nicely as it looks!

Looks to be an awesome remote _if_ Harmony improved the responsiveness/feedback of their buttons.

I would choose the 520 in a heartbeat over the 676, 688, and 880.

I've gone through a number of remotes in the past 5 years (Pronto, Sony V1000, HTM MX-500, RTI T2 URC-200, and variou Logitech Harmonies) and I've come to two conclusions:

1. The most advanced remotes with software programming for multiple system components (no matter have intuitive the software is) don't mean d**k if ONE DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO PRORAM it (working professionals, you know what I mean). The Pronto fails miserably in this criteria. The RTI T2 has an excellent software program but it still took time and had a problem with ergonomics (see item #2 below). This is why I love Harmony's online programing -- it took me 20 minutes to program my Harmony vs. the 5 years of fiddling around with these other "sophisticated" remotes.

2. Unless you are a turn it on/leave it type of A/V enthusiast and not a channel surfer, HARD BUTTONS and ERGONOMICS are KEY requirements to enjoying the remote. The Sony (the slim line, not "AV" line) and HTM/URC remotes excel at this; however, they do not have the superior software programming vs. the Harmony. The Harmony on the other hand does not have the ergonomics nor tactile feel of the Sonys and HTM/URCs. The 880 has poorly placed hard buttons. The 676 does have separate the buttons (vs. 688) but one STILL must look at the remote to see where the buttons are; the volume and channel buttons are incorrectly placed in the lower half of the body -- an odd place for the thumb to press. The 688 is perfect ergonmically in a sense that all the most used buttons are placed where the thumb than naturally reach; it's only shortcoming is the buttons are tightly compacted and the directional center button is not the most tactile.

The 520 -- from detail views ([Link: assets.logitech.com]) seems to address the ergonomics issue I have with the 6xx and 8xx series. It reminds me of a slick Sony remote combined with a good layout of HTM/URC.

Side-by-side comparison of 520 and 890 Pro

Wonder why they made the numeric keys so small.

The 520 remote should be shipping to stores in the next 30 to 45 days. It will however only be sold to the "national" chain stores. I believe Walmart.com may be the first store to get product but Best Buy's may sneak in sooner too.

Looks like the "Sound" and "Pic" buttons are back on the 890 compare to the 880.

I like the looks of the 520 -- but I think that any remote with a Guide button really should have Page Up/Page Down buttons, which are some of the most frequently used on my remote. (I appropriated the A/B buttons on the 676.) I don't see obvious candidates on the 520. I think it would be better if the Glow button were divided in half and dedicated as Page Up/Down.

So, I'm curious, which buttons would you appropriate to use for Page Up/Page Down on this remote?