Anyone had a chance to try these firsthand yet? How big a form factor are we talking? How is the programming? Can that joystick on the 24.z be used for iPod menu control? etc...

If they are out already I'm going to be PISSED!

This isn't going to turn into another one of those two weeks threads is it?

June 2010 is the target

Is this where they are being sold too? This is a consumer geared product is it not? My MAJOR concern is what is going to happen with support.

I don't know why this move is just rubbing me the wrong way. It just doesn't "compute"...

It is NOT a consumer geared product. The software, while not the same as ID, will still be "dealer only".

It is going after the dealers that sell Harmony... and dare I say the trunk-slammers and sparkys of the world.

I think this is spot on. They are trying to compete with all those that sold Harmony and may have lost access to it, as well as the URC Wizard guys (mx810).

How the hell can you lose access to Harmony?

And just what in the hell is a prosumer?

I don't believe this product is going after specific companies like Harmony and URC for wizard type remotes. If that were so, they would just place one on every shelf right next to a Harmony in any electronic store. Rather, they are going after the less sophisticated client who wants a intermediate type of sophistication. Of course that is Harmony's market now, but I think consumers are getting educated enough to want a little more cutting edge technology.

I hate quoting myself...

While not verbatim, that is almost exactly how several higher-ups at RTI described it to me... right down to the "trunk-slammers and sparkys" part.

[Link: cepro.com]

Great article from Julie Jacobson, must see if you haven't already!

Looked at RTI's "where to buy" out of the blue a few weeks back and saw they indeed had broadened their distribution. I've yet to come across Zeep Essprex in the field, but seeing how they've staffed up nationally to service sales from Tarjey and the like, it must seem a good opportunity for manufacturers to move a boat load of product.

Utilizing a wizard setup is geared directly at end-users. Its hard to be upset about this, if it works even sorta then Harmony's gonna get thumped.

Now considering the above, why would they NOT place this item on a rack next to URC as well.

I'm disappointed that capacitive screens may be introduced with ProCon before RTI. I'm sure I'll hear about the ST-7 but come on- no talk of something in between?

Twice we have handed clients T3V's, which we love- to watch them slide their finger across the screen in hopes of a reaction. I just tell them its "not that kind of touch screen:)".

I hate to say it, but it seems like I maybe one of the few that was happy to hear about this product. I had been looking for a simple one room control option for my older clients at $500 or below. I had used Harmony 890's until the build quality continued to erode and the new models seem to be more confusing for my seasoned customers.

My whole product lineup is built on good, better, best scenarios so if this turns out to be a solid remote, it would definitely fit in my "good" category. And frankly, I'm always looking at new products and how they fit into the mix. I think that's part of being a good business owner. Things have really slowed down in middle Tennessee and we find ourselves doing more and more smaller one room jobs to stay busy. I just hope it passes the quality test. Not sure what it's going to feel like especially at that price point.

Welcome to the craziness we call Remote Central, Randall. And might I add, that was a very well spoken first post.

I agree with you,
but I am disappointed that RTI did not make this product upwards adaptable with its complete product line up. I believe this alienates potential customers who would otherwise probably grown into the larger systems over time. I have many times seen customers who were apprehensive about spending big bucks on a system change their minds after we had installed a lower cost system, which is why I like to engineer things so that they are expandable.

A customer who starts out with a T1B and an RP1 may six month latter want an XP8 a couple of K4's and a T3V, after it finally sinks in how cool and useful this stuff is. I have had several repeat sales that start out this way.

But with pro control, what you see is all you get and I think that is completely the wrong business model.