After reading the posts, and doing a lot of research on remote controls, I've chosed the Palm Pilot.

1. Is it better than the Pronto? No. The pronto is a dedicated remote control created for that purpose.

2. Can it do the same things as the Pronto? Yes, for the most part. Everything you need a remote to do, it does (learning, macros, touchscreen, hard keys (yes they are programmable), and even a timer to set off macros at a certain time of the day).

3. Does it have the same IR strength as the Pronto? No. But, the extender is supposed to increase the IR signal 400times. What I am going to do to remedy this is to use my leapfrog unit which attaches onto the remote and converts IR to RF, and then back to IR via a receiver, which shoots it at the target. This way, there is no need to 'point' the remote anywhere. I know of similar pieces of hardware which mimic the leapfrog on the web.

Bottom line:
If price is no object, buy the Pronto. No reason not to. However, if price does come into factor, you have to consider this as the option to go with. They are selling the Palm III for $199 now (see www.cnet.com). Add the software and the IR booster and you're up to $240. Compare that with the Pronto's $400 tag, and their maybe some re-thinking to do.

Also, there are SOOO many other things you can do with your Palm Pilot that you can't with the Pronto. Granted, if you use it only as a remote control, you may never go beyond the remote control software. However, the occasional trip somewhere when no one needs a remote at home could perhaps consist of using it for games, a GPS navigating system, a map of the US, checking email, and receiving pages. These are just some of the things that might come in handy down the line. The uses are endless. This was also another reason I chose the Palm.

But let's not forget the real reason why you are even taken the time to read this. For $240, the Palm Pilot is a damn good remote control which can perform similar, if not exact, functions as the dedicated remote control's which cost much more. It is a touch screen, learning remote with hard key buttons and macros. The entire layout is customizable to your specifications (names, size of buttons on screen, etc.)(see www.pacificneotek.com). It definately should be considered as you shop for the best remote which fits your needs and price range.

For me, the Palm Pilot as a whole (price, versatility, etc.) is better than the Pronto. It does everything that the Pronto can do, and that's not even it's day job.

I think it's a bit inaccurate to say that the Palm Pilot "does everything the Pronto can do". More accurately, "it does everything a learning universal remote control can do". There's a difference there. If you're wondering what it is, just take a look at a few CCF files. :-)

It's more comparable functionally to the RM-AV2000 or RR990, but less pleasant to use. Yes, it has the capability to do a lot more than dedicated remote - but do you really want your remote control to balance your accounts?

You can get your PC to control your home theatre too, and have a wireless keyboard as the remote control. This way, you can edit your Word document, balance your bank balance, surf the web, let's the kids play games (with multiple windows)...and it's even more powerful than the Palm Pilot.

You can even save on buying a CD or DVD player because you can use the one in your computer.

Dan,

Let's put aside what the Palm Pilot does best (organizer), and just focus on the remote control portion. The main reason why I purchased the Palm was for the remote control capabilities. Balancing my bank account will certainly be easier having purchase the Palm, not because of it's functionality, but because it's much less than the Pronto! :)

To put it in the same category as the Rotel and the Sony would be inaccurate. Before I purchased the Palm, I bought the Rotel. Very nice remote, but it was NOT customizable. Everything is hard coded from the buttons to the titles on the buttons. This is the same as the Sony as well. I don't know about for other people, but for me that is a MAJOR pain. Who wants to remember that the channel up key for their Home Theater really means THX mode? This is why the Palm is definately not in that category.

The other reason is that those remotes are not upgradable. No patches or enhancements can be 'downloaded' onto the unit. Another reason why the Palm should not be in that category.

As far as how pleasant the use goes, the Palm is definately easier to use over the Rotel, and the Sony! The Sony requires two hands to use, and is the size of a small laptop. The rotel is a nice size, but the problem there is that when compared to the Palm, is much heavier. The Palm was designed to be carried around and held in your hand for long periods of times. Also, the rotel touch screen is far inferior to the Palm's. The Rotel touch screen has physical areas (buttons) on the LCD screen which are activated with the slightest touch. The Palm's LCD does not have these areas. The entire screen is capable. And the Palm requires a slight point to initiate the button. Not like the Rotel, which is initiated every time you touch the screen. As far as the Omniremote interface, it can be totally customized, from the size of the button to the title of the button. You make the interface and remote so it is pleasant to your specifications.

I checked out the CCF files, and I must say...those are VERY cool. The Palm can't do that....YET. That is another reason why I believe the Palm is one of the best remotes. A new slick interface, has the possibility to be a download away.

The Palm Pilot certainly as it stands now, does not have the slick interface of the Pronto. But, functionally, it can do the same things. Yes the Pronto is easier for the average person to use, and more pleasant to work with. I don't argue with that one bit. I also don't argue that the Pronto is currently a better remote. All I'm saying is that the Palm can do everything you would want a remote to do and much more. Does it have all the bells and whistles of the Pronto? No, not yet. Will it? Maybe, maybe not, but it has the potential. But when you get down to the nuts and bolts of things, it will control your system as good as any other remote. And it will do it for a price which the wife won't have THAT hard of a time agreeing with...(once you convince her that it's not a remote control!)..another reason why I went with the Palm :)

PDD,

As an owner of both the PalmPilot and a Pronto, which are GREAT products!, I have to say let's not mix it... One is an organizer and the other is a remote control.

The Pilot by itself is by far the best organizer out there. And I can still say that after reviewing some of the Windows CE devices. The reason why it's so great is that it does not try to do too much (like a laptop), or too little (like a little electronic address card). It's a perfect mix of usability and elegance. I totally love it.

The Pronto is an incredible remote control. Note that without the software it is GOOD, with the software it is INCREDIBLE. Enough said. Yes, it's that good.

Now a couple of scenario:
1. Your friends come over to watch your awesome home theater system. Even though they're great friends, you probably don't want them to see all of the personal stuff you have on your Pilot.
2. I don't know about you, but I take my Pilot everywhere. So while I'm out, what's controlling the theater system?.

Unless you get another Pilot, which I think is what you mean in your post.

Bottom Line:
1. I don't think you did enough research. Did you actually SEE a Pronto?. This is very important. Reading the posts and running the software won't cut it.
2. The difference in price that you quoted ($240 for Pilot setup) versus $400 for Pronto is now less. Some vendor are selling Pronto for $320.
3. Looks. I just can't bear looking at the Palm Pilot facing backward. Sorry.
4. As an engineer, I create stuff. Therefore I am a proponent of using devices as they were originally intended. Believe it or not, we engineer get frustrated when these things are not used properly (it's a "work" thing, we labored to get these things to work, then the users always find a way to use it "inventively"...). Yes, I'm against CPU overclocking...

By the way, I saw some post suggesting using the Pronto as a mouse for controlling PC. I guess you know where I stand on that issue.

Palm III is $199 now because Palm V is out. When the next Pronto is out, I'm sure the current Pronto's price will drop too.

I don't know how much the Palm V sells for in the US, but over here they sell for AUD$999, so I think it's probably around the US$350 mark in the US.

Daniel, maybe you need to create a Palm Pilot forum. :-)

Daniel N.,

I agree with most of your comments. However, I am purchasing the Palm Pilot for the main purpose of using it as my remote control. I don't have to worry about important information on the Palm Pilot because there will most likely be none on there.

I just want to emphasize that I agree that the Pronto is a better remote control. However, for those who can bear without the bells and whistles, the Palm is an excellent choice for functionality and value. I am not recommending of purchasing two Palm pilots. I'm recommeding that if you are looking at remote controls, using the Palm soley as a remote control is an excellent option.

I also agree that you probably should not mix the two. An organizer should be an organizer, and a remote should be a remote. If you choose the Palm for a remote, it's primary function should be a remote which everyone has access too. If however, the entire household goes on a trip, the Palm may help serve you well on the trip with the additional features it has (metioned above).

Everyone seems to be looking past the Palm for a remote because of the vast options it has as a Palm PC. It seems that those people who want a remote, want something that performs only as a remote. The additional functionality just confuses it's purpose. All I'm saying is that simply by itself, used as a remote, it is one of the best out there for any price. And if you take price into consideration, for those on a tight budget, it's an excellent choice for a universal remote, and endless other functions. Think of it this way, when the next remote control comes in 5 years which is in color, controls your computer, playstation, walks your dog, etc. all for $100, you then have the option to use the Palm as an organizer if you purchased it as a remote control (just exaggerating). :)

This is great. I want to get a pronto to control everything in my house including a 301 disc changer. Currently I have to keep a list of where each cd is in the changer somewhere in my living room (ugly). I thought I would get a palm pc to put the database into, that way I could find the location of the cd on the pilot and then use the pronto to play it. Do you think that by buying the Pilot V, configuring it as a remote, with an incorporated list of my cd's, then use it alone to archive my cd's and control my home systems.!!!! perfect.

I am also very interested in what was said about switching to RF. What would be involved in configuring an entire house to RF but still use the Pilot V to control it (entertainment, lights, fireplace, locks, blinds, security, air, ect...)

I own both as well.

I have put OmniRemote on a Palm V and it's cute but it's no Pronto.

The Pronto is the best remote any where near it's price range.

The Palm Pilot is a great organizer and I highly recommend getting one.

A while back someone mentioned if the Pronto had the new screens of the Pilots it would be nirvana.

This is not true.

The Pronto works great in low light and pretty poor in bright light. Just what it was designed to do.

The new Pilot screens are great in bright light and pretty poor in low light even with the back light on. I'd go blind if I had to use it.

The range is a joke with the built in IRs, 4 feet or so on the Palm V (and this is supposed to be an improvement over the built in one on the III). A friend of mine is using a repeater with his.

Price wise your comparing list price with street prices. The price difference is about $60.00

The older Pilot screens are probably better for night and more like the Pronto but much less contrast.

Also consider every time you need to adjust the volume you have to turn the unit on !!! And then turn on the backlight if you need it then adjust the volume.

If you have the backlight on that much you will really suck those 2 AA batteries down.

The OmniRemote is nothing more than a "Look at what we can make a Pilot do".

No lighting on hard buttons.
No labels on hard buttons.
Poor battery life (compared to pronto)
Poor screen (compared to pronto)
Fewer hard buttons
Buttons on top I find very awkward (with booster)
Need to explicity turn it on after time out
Need to explicity turn on back light
Much less flexible graphics
You have to tell it what frequency to use
.
.
.
All to save $60.00 !!!

My question would be - if you already have a spare palm pilot (i.e. my girlfriends which never gets used) is it worth inveting in the omni software or am I better off saving up to get a Pronto?

My advice is please stop creating these new Pilot versus Pronto topics and learn to use the forum search tool. Everything that could be said has been said already.

Why are people so opposed to posting into existing topics on the matter?

Because they couldn't be bothered using the search tool.

I think if there's actually a Palm Pilot forum, then people who are very happy with Palm Pilots as remotes can discuss to their hearts' content there in their little corner, while Pronto lovers can continue to profess their undying admiration/obsession in the other corner. :-)

To the person who after reading this thread is thinking about getting a pilot instead of Pronto so he can database his CD's -
You could put a database of all of your cd's and tracks on a pilot and then be able to switch programs(to the database and back to the remote). However, you seemed to care a lot about looks in currently having to have an album or list around your room and wanting something less "ugly".

Well I would think having to switch back and forth between programs to look up a track and then go back to the remote program to type in a track # is pretty ugly as well. I can't see a visitor, or in most cases spouse, switching between programs and being able to find CD's - you'd still have to have a reference sitting on your table. Look at some of the changer Pronto CCF's where people have cataloged their changers with buttons that automatically will pull up a specific cd. If you want a neat and better way to find your changer CD's - until a palm program can have enough screens and flexibility to show and catalog your CD's from within the remote program THE PRONTO IS STILL BETTER!

I have a 200-disc changer that my wife would never be able to use if we didn't have the pronto! And she still wouldn't be able to if we had a pilot with 2 programs for the same function.

P.S. And yes these Pilot discussions are getting tiring since we all love our pronto and can't imagine having to settle for 1/2 a solution.

A Pilot/Palm remote forum would probably be helpfull for many - as I have not seen any similiar forum on the net. Another thing to keep all of these questions from being hashed over again and again would be to put some kind of summary in the FAQ and then refer anyone asking about Pronto vs. Pilot to the FAQ.

Thanks for the input about using a pilot as a database/remote. If I am going to have to switch between two different programs to do it it's not worth it, plus I would have to be using an inferior product. What I would like to be able to do is for a visitor or myself to be able to pull up a list on the screen of CD's in a specific genre, find the CD you want, then just click on it to begin play, or even further, select the track. It would also be nice if the device would display which cd and track was playing. I haven't ever worked with a pronto, and don't know the first thing about CCF's, but does anything resembling this seem possible?thanx