I have pretty much decided on a Harmony remote. Looking for something around $150. I am trying to decide between the 550, 720, 880, and the HK TC-30. Listed below are what I see as the good and the bad. Help me decide.

The 550 will meet my needs with the limitations of monochrome display, not rechargeable, and only 4 activities. ($100-120)

The HK TC-30 is a 720 in Harmon Kardon clothing with a color display, rechargeable, and 8 activities. But don’t have the Logitech tech support. ($160)

The 880 has the color display, rechargeable, and 8 activities. But it is the dreaded peanut-shape and small keys. ($160)

The 720 is color display, rechargeable, and 6 activities. But limited availability and over budget. ($200)

The 550 is quite outdated, IMO. It's not cabable of enough, probably.

Is the only thing that's stopping you from getting the TC-30 lack of Logitech tech support? You should be able to get it from HK then, I'd think.

I don't think that the 880 or 890's shapes are "dreaded." I also don't think the button's are too small. But if it's a concern, then don't get it.

Maybe you'd be better off with something from URC, say the MX-700? It's about $150 (make sure you get it from an authorized dealer...surfremote.com carries them) and although not with a color screen, I think that it is a much better remte than any of the Harmonies mentioned. The buttons are good size, in my opinion, and the buttons next to the LCD screen are smaller but spaced far enough apart to facilitate use. The URC remotes are slightly harder to program, but overall much better remotes.

All of the remotes you mention would be fine. They can all have up to 255 activities, the only difference is the number of activities displayed per screen....activities and commands can be displayed over multiple screens if required.

What you pick depends mainly on your budget, and what you like the shape/layout of the best. I also believe you are correct that the HK tech support is not up to the same standard as Harmony, but you will get plenty of help from the Harmony forums here if required.

The 550 is actually one of Harmonys newer models, and is just as capable as any of their other models...the only thing it's missing is the colour screen and rechargeable battery.

All of the Harmony remotes are at least as capable, and in my opinion far more capable than an MX700. You need to look at an MX950 to be able to match a Harmony. I used to like the MX remotes for certain purposes, but these days I could never recommend them due to their new customer un-friendly poilicy.

I disagree...they're doing a fine job and it's the PRODUCT that matters the most. URC has always been helpful to me.

But I'm NOT going to turn this into a debate thread, that's a huge no-no. That's all I'll say related to the policy.

IMO, URC's offer much more flexibility and customization than Harmonies...not that Harmonies aren't great remotes though!

I agree. I have never had any problems with my MX-850's, including live updates. In hindsight, I'm glad I bought them from an AD.
And any questions I have are answered here. Wonderful bunch of people here at Remote Central.

You guys are getting off topic. I didn't ask about URC remotes but Harmonys.

Allright, back on topic.

What do you require from your remote? What will you be using it for? Which remote do you like better? Just asking for personal opinions doesn't work well, as each remote does have its plus and minuses. You first need to address your specific needs.

The harmonies are lacking in customization, my parents bought one about a year and I had a tough time trying to customizing it to my tastes to make it easier for them, As a programmer of remotes and using the products I use I found it to be a worthless remote.

They still have it, but dont use it as its to complicated with the help screens and to many questions to verify the device power states. they still continue to use the handful of OEM remotes..as do I when Im over there. This year they get a URC or RTI remote that can be programmed properly

This is my opinion....buy a real remote. I have only dealt with this one Harmony and to me as a CI...it was a decent remote for the money but not something I could ever recommend to a client or friend
if you look at URC buy from an Authorized Dealer to get the right software and assistance if stuck on programming

Okay, I have changed this post a little bit. Which remote do you suggest and why?

I prefer an acitvities-based remote as to make it simple for the kids. But I would also like the capability to control all of the functions of my existing components/remotes. Still want to keep the cost aronnd $150. Here is a list of components:

TV - Panasonic CT-32HXC14
HD Cable - Motorola DCT6200
DVD - Denon DVD-2200 (DVD, CD, SACD, DVD-A)
Receiver - Denon AVR-3803
VCR - Zenith VR4227HF (seldom)

You've made the right choice with a Harmony. They are very easy to setup, and even easier to use. When they are setup properly you never need to use the Help etc...only if someone walks in front of the remote so a device misses a command. If this does happen, the Help function is brilliant, and gets everything back in synch.

As I said above, the Harmonys are at least as powerful as any URC remote short of an MX950, and in my opinion more powerful. You can customize them enough to do anything you need to do. Most of the customizing people do to URCs just gets them to the stage that a Harmony is at out of the box.

I originally tried an MX800 and spent hours trying to get it working with my system, but it could never cope with a couple of my devices that didn't have discretes for inputs or power. I then tried a Harmony and it was working my system perfectly within 30 minutes. The Smart State is invaluable in my book, and makes life so much easier.