I have spent years looking for the ideal HT remote, and have always been disappointed. I thought the Marantz might be the solution years ago, but found it tedious to program, difficult to read the screens, way too bulky and top heavy, and a battery eater. The HT 9000 was the best I found, though not without problems, and still a good choice for a bargain remote. I approached the Pronto w/trepedation given my experience w/the Marantz, and the fact that I am not only computer ignorant, but downright computer hostile. I expected to return it. It sat for a week before I'd approach it. Was I wrong! The manual was excellent. Programming it was incredibly easy, and downright fun. As I've used it, I've found changes needed in my custom panels to make it easier to use, and the macros involved, and changing is easy. I never used Macros before because they never worked. On the Pronto with the variable delay, they always do. I had no difficulty with entering any commands for 15 pieces of equipment, except, oddly, the power on a Faroudja LD-200 (all the other commands were no problem). My one reservation was that unlike the buttons on the 9000, which I learned thru use and could use w/out looking at the remote, the Pronto required looking at it. I have found that I can use the most common screens I use without looking at it. I am hypercritical of remotes, and can honestly think of no criticism for the Pronto. It is comfortable to use in one hand. I was intendng to get the battery charging cradle, but after hours of programming and use the battery indicator reads full strength. I believe the manual's estimate of 6 months battery life is accurate, or even conservative. I know a new software package is coming out, to improve the Pronto, but for the life of me, I can't imagine how it could be improved. It's everything I ever wanted in a HT remote and more.