yes, I didn't think of that.


But....I may have a surprise coming soon. I'm waiting for a very special email.....

Man, I hate it when thathappens, I just typed up a long description of the remote only to have RC's add.cgi script crap out on my and I lost it all!

Way to go Rob! You never fail to disappoint.

Disappoint??? :)

OK, so it was a triple negative. :-) I'm much better with numbers than words.

Any quick first impressions?

Not much to report yet, I haven't had a chance to play with it. But basically, it's in exactly the same casing as the 15-1995, but they've relabelled a bunch of the buttons, as you can see. Internally, it's totally different. The old 15-1995 used the same processor as the Producer 8's (ie, the Mitsubishi 740) whereas this remote uses the same processor as the RCu810 and the URC-8910 (ie, the Samsung S3C8), which is a similar processor to the one in the 15-1994.

I'll post more later

Rob

was anyone else hearing the theme to 2001 in their heads today? no? OK, never mind....

Hey, Rob has had the thing for hours already and the [ButtonMaps] and [DigitMaps] aren't yet updated in the RDF or in KM. What's the hold up :)

THANK YOU RADIO SHACK !!!!!

Thanks for bringing back the 15-1994, 15-1995, etc.

I was just days away from logging onto ebay and bidding on a 15-1994.

Now I'm going to either buy a 15-2116 or a 15-2117 (haven't decided which one yet).

I've been using the 15-1993 for years now and finally decided a few weeks ago to get an upgrade. What I wanted was more buttons and more devices. I jumped onto the net and checked the current models. I knew that the RS's were OFA's so I checked both companies and was disappointed with what I found. The button layout is extremely important to me and I did not like what I saw. After using the 15-1993 for years, I became used to a good layout. My thumb just felt for the button I wanted and rarely did I have to use the ol' eyeballs. One of many things I like is the dent in the 5. I'm always feeling for that.

I got a RS flyer in the mail and saw new items in it so I logged onto the RS web site to see if there were any other new items. When I checked remotes, I couldn't beleive what I saw. I did a double take. The buttons were the same! The first thing I did was to go to this site to see if the word got out. Sure enough it did. Now I'm following the messages to see if this new model is just as capable as the 15-1994.

Also, thank you remotecentral.com and web sites like it.
Just a few weeks ago before finding this web site and others like it I had no knowledge about JP1. I also read the forums so that I could get the straight dope on how remotes I was thinking about buying actually performed.

Excitement abounds!

Remember the 'good old days'?
[Link: remotecentral.com]



What strikes me is that the 2116 is only $30. That's less than what the 2104 debuted at. It's the same price that a 2103 cost at introduction. Components must be cheaper these days.

It's definitely going to bite into the profits of those guys who stockpiled 1994's and sell them one at a time on ebay. The most I ever paid for any remote was $40 for a new 1994 on ebay. I wouldn't have paid that much except that I was under the impression that no other remotes could be extended and configured in the same way. That's not the case as of this summer and now RS is providing a better remote than the 1994 for less than what the 1994 usually costs off ebay (in new condition).

I'm very curious to find out if it will accept an RF puck implant. We know the processor can handle it, but the question is whether or not there's an easy way to solder it in. I might just have to try it out. I don't know if I can bear to take apart my 1995 though.

I'm also curious to find out what the user manual says about learning and macros on certain keys. They can't claim anymore that only 'smart keys' can learn. No user manuals from the 211x series are online yet.

Rob,
I know you could easily find out about the processor used without actually taking the remote apart to peek inside. I also saw you posted a tentative RDF at JP-1, "modeling" after the 8910 RDF. However, even tho the modem capability isn't a factor for JP-1, or the RDF, I was wondering if they also offer this "feature" for the new RS's. Do you know if they mentioned anything about it in the manual or not, or did you perhaps take a peek inside? Layout-wise, the pix looks like it's a nicer alternative to the problems associated to the 8910. Also, I notice no dedicated learn keys, so this ISN'T a learning model? If not, that would give it a slight disadvantage over the 8910/9910. "My System" and "Audio" with distinctively larger keys looks like a nice "Feature". Hopefully neither are laced with limiting "quirks".
BTW, I noticed that your site didn't have any of the last 6-7 months new lineup's manuals. Will this be updated soon?
BTWb. I never noticd the concave "5" key, I guess my tactility on my thumb is a good bit dull, no doubt due to occupational associated problems. I have an RCA "universal" that came with a sat receiver, and it has a nice pointy dimple (up) on the "5" and it's easy to feel, even tho the buttons are much smaller than on my 1994. If I concentrate real hard, I can almost feel the "5"'s difference on my 1994.
Jim

It's a learning model. That was the point of my comment above. They sell it as a learning remote without 'smart keys'. We all know learning remotes can learn on other keys, too despite what the goofy manuals said. I'd like to know if the 2116 manual tells the whole truth or not.

BTW: the 2103 is a learning model that never had smart keys. The manual says "you can program almost any key on your remote..."

...and when I was looking up the online manual for the 2103, I stumbed across a manual for a 15-2127. I had to laugh:

[Link: support.radioshack.com]

This message was edited by revwillie on 10/30/02 12:23.47.

Jim, This comes so soon after the 8910 from designers who must somehow have thought all the limiting quirks of the 8910 (especially HT) were a good idea, that I'd be amazed if they haven't crammed a similar pile of stupid restrictions into this one.

Of course, all my speculation is less meaningful than a few experiments by the folks who have the remote.

I still don't understand why an LCD is worth the trouble. I really don't understand why (after knowing that an extender can do things like macros on device keys) anyone still wants a model that can't put macros on device keys (even if it didn't have extra stupid limits like the power key in HT mode on the 8910).

I'm not ready at the moment to rush out and buy one of these just so I can write an extender and have another remote like my RCU810 or 6012 sitting beside the computer waiting to test future bug reports or upgrades, while I continue to use my urc6800 (the only really good key layout) when I actually wathch TV. Maybe I'll get that crazy later. Maybe someone else will finally do something with all the commented extender source code I've uploaded. Meanwhile, I think these new remotes without extenders are just a worse deal than the remotes with extenders.

That's understandable. Even though I don't use one of your extenders, I definately appreciate the work you did. I'd be happy with just one special protocol if I had a 2116...fav/scan. As of now, that can be accomplished for some devices (RTV-Rob's hacked protocol) even without a special protocol. That's a testiment to the good button labels and layout on the new design. All I really use nicola's extender for on the 1994 is fav/scan on multiple devices. The one remote for which I really needed an extender was the 1995.

I probably would have used your 2104 extender eventually, but that remote was such a dog in so many ways...I gave my 2104 to a friend who lost his TV remote.

Your hard work is appreciated. The people who 'need' Mega Macro this and that can live with the remotes they've already got extenders on.

Just received the 15-2116. Initial impression is very favorable. 8 device buttons and a "My System" button for assigning 5 key groups from different devices to a single device. Volume punch through works well and allows you to individually remove devices from the punch through. The LCD screen is very intuitive and walks a user through the functions. Never seen the 15-1995 (in person) to compare how that worked but I assume its probably similar. See Rob's post for a photo.

RS must have had many complaints about the manual as this one is vastly improved (Still not as good as Rob's custom ones though) and its in large print that can be read without a microscope. The manual actually makes mention of keymoves and macros and lets you put them on almost any key (sorry, still not on device keys). I'll try to scan it in if there is interest and would need to post it somewhere; not sure if its really applicable to be posted to the JP1 group.

Speaking of JP1......the beautiful 6 pin connector shining under the battery cover begs to be plugged in. Already tried the proto RDF file posted (by Rob of course) in the JP1 Group. I was able to configure the remote with no problems. Saved settings, reset defaults and restored with no problems. Haven't done much more, though, so there may be some bugs in the beta version. Only time will tell.

Overall, I think this is a worthy successor to the 15-1994, et al. Everytime my wife drops our 1994 I get nervous since there was no replacement. Not any more. I am very happy with what I have seen so far. With that said.....I would like to have some dedicated macro keys, 4 would be nice. Also would like dedicated PIP channel up/down keys. Right now I plan to use freeze/move for that function and shift the regular functions on those keys. (I didn't see the manual mention shifting although it may be in there.) And would it kill them to allow the user to adjust backlight time. If anyone has any thoughts on this let me know.

All in all, I think the 15-2116 is the best remote for under $100 right now (replace with 15-2117 if you need RF, whenever available). Well time for apologies, I cursed your name Radio Shack for several days when you discontinued the 1994, and for many more with the 2104. You did alright.

PS. I would also love to give GM an apology for canceling the Camaro/TransAm but until they come up with a replacement...F'em. :)