I just got an e-mail from Mike Gifford at URC Inc, requesting my home address so they can notify UPS to pick up my MX-500, so the new thumbpads/units must be in!!!
He said they would clone my remote to the new one and return the new one to me. So I don't have to reprogram!
I also just got a response from Mike after sending him my address, that a pick-up ticket has been issued for UPS and they would be by in the next couple days to pick it up.
I will post again when I get the new one and let everyone know how it goes.

I was going to post this earlier, but didn't have time to register (first post and all). Ditto what RobV said.

Had this remote for a couple of weeks, let me tell you I'm very impressed so far with URC. Hopefully this change will be addressed succesfully and quickly.

Rich

So, are they letting MX-500 owners exchange their Gemstone remotes for the one with the new thumbpad? What's their policy on this?

I just ordered an MX-500 from RRDeals and should get it today. Is it too late for me?

-Brian

Rob's post seems to say that the manufacturer has no problem replacing the remotes for every customer.

Randy
www.RRDeals.com

Anyone who has purchased the "first generation" GemStone MX-500 that is unhappy with the thumbpad will have it replaced by URC free of charge.

However, if you're happy with what you have, don't send it in. You may not like the new one as much. It is all personal taste.

Greg

Greg,

I agree. It seems to be a VERY small percentage of folks with troublesome thumbpads.

Randy
www.RRDeals.com

Excellent point, if it ain't broke....

If I could get mine to work consistently with my DISH 4700 satellite I would probably just "get used" to the somewhat difficult operation with my DVD player and preamp. Looking forward to a good fix, hope I'm not dissapointed.

Just want to also comment on the excellent posts and info posted by Greg, Randy, and others on this site. Been lurking for a few weeks, GREAT site. Off to find some discrete codes for my Mitsubishi CS35401 35" direct view TV....if they exist!

Rich

Maybe this means the MX-700 will be available soon!

I always thought the MX-500's thumbpad was pretty good. :-) At least on my unit...

Apparently, the current return request percentage is about 1%. There have been some (like Greg's I believe) where the "Select" doesn't work every time you push it. But even my "original" MX-500 doesn't work every time. I had one of the new ones that only worked about 1/3 of the time. In cases like that, replacement is necessary.

Mike
Surf Remote Control

Well, I have to admit, after reading someone's post about the funky thumbpad op, and how they used the flat of their thumb instead of the tip, I did get better at getting the unit to send a good select, but mostly it one-out-of-three tries. Something I COULD get used to, but the wife would never go for it. That's why I just programmed the ">" button for select. Works every time. But bein' the anal mo-fo I am, if I can get URC to make it better so it works the way it's supposed to, I'll give 'em the chance. Let y'all know how it works out for me.

Rob-

On the one I had that only worked 1/3 of the time, you couldn't see any "sending" indicator on the LCD, even though the Select button was "clicking". I agree that that is something no one should have to "get used to". Since you'll probably be one of the first to get the new model, we'll all be interested to hear how well it works. Good luck.

Yeah Mike,
That's how mine responds too. You'd feel a click, but the send-indicator wouldn't, or would kinda flicker a little. Just not right. But I've been forcing myself to use it and, like I said, I am sorts getting used to it, but, it's still not like it SHOULD be.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Daniel Tonks for this website, you are providing a valuable service to the community. Thank you! Really.

Now, if I can just solve the problem of the dreaded Sony 2-way IR Soundfield select issue............

ANYONE out there have a Sony DE-825? I've tried codes from the Pronto archive for the DE-845 with no luck.

FYI:

Here is the difference between the very original thumbpad and the current thumbpads on the MX-500.

They went from a single five way switch (original MX-500) to five separate buttons just like any other single hard button (first generation GemStone MX-500). Now the top joystick pad touches five hard button contacts on the PCB.

I would think this would result in a longer lasting thumbpad than the original.

So, I'm assuming that the "new new" thumbpad will just have a reduced "spring" tension on each of the 5 pads, resulting in an easier to use thumbpad (second generation GemStone MX-500.

Thought you might like to know.

... Greg

Greg, how will the reduced spring tension make the pad easier to use. I thought there was a sending problem when depressing the select? (apologize for being dense on this, just wondering)

Randy,
Any idea thru your supplier when you will have the new pads?

And thanks to all for the posts... really helps someone trying to decide on what to get & when!