OK, so my MX-500 has the issue that appears to be common where the center select button in the circle pad doesn't work. Also my light button doesn't work?? So.... I've been doing a lot of researching and I'm not clear on what I should get!

Any help would be appreciated!

Here's what I want:

1. A remote that feels good and is durable (I LOVE my MX-500 in this way. I tried a harmony remote... maybe a 680 or something, and it only lasted a few months and seemed very cheap and sometimes wouldn't switch correctly... probably due to not enough pause time?)

2. A remote that has activity based buttons at the top so I can choose to watch a movie and it will set the receiver how I want it set, the TV how I want it set, and so on...

3. I would prefer (very much) to have HARD buttons like the MX-500 with associated digital labels that can be programmed by me. Like on my MX-500 I can make all of the buttons linked to anything I want and have the associated text say whatever I want. I really don't like the touchscreen only where there is no associated hard button, but I may be able to compromise here.

4. I'd like to have as many of the programmable hard buttons as possible. The MX-500 has TEN, which is awesome! It looks like the Harmony One and URC-R50 only have like 6 or 8 max?

5. I want a remote that can learn codes like the MX-500 where I can point the original remote to it and learn a code.

6. I'd like to not spend anymore than $250 retail price.

I can figure out how to program the remotes myself, I've done fine on the MX-500 and do NOT want to pay someone to do this. I really would prefer an upgraded MX-500 type of remote that allows me to create/assign macros to the buttons at the top. I am a little confused on the URC stuff because I'm reading on here that a lot of the newer models (any that start with MX?) are "professional remotes" and can only be programmed with software that users can't get unless they buy from an authorized dealer or pay someone to program it????

I don't need RF, but wouldn't turn a remote down if it had it and met my other criteria:)

Any thoughts???

Thanks!

See if you can find an MX-850 used.

Thanks for the reply! Besides looks, is the main difference from an R50 and MX-850 that the 850 has pc software and the R50 is strictly done on the remote? Well, that and the smaller number of hard buttons at the top...

I can definitely find a used 850, but I'm concerned I may not be able to get the software to program it based on what I've read where people say they can't get it because they didn't buy it from an authorized dealer. Can the 850 be programmed by itself like the MX500 can?


What would I be losing if I went with a R50 instead of an 850?

You should be able to find an authorized dealer to pass over the MX850 program when you buy the remote. It still uses the stand-alone program, not CCP.


No RF in a R50. You may consider the MX450 that does have built-in programming and RF.

Check out the NXG NX-RM505, available at Amazon for <$50. It is a rebadged MX-500.

thats awesome,thx a ton!!v] i ended up gettinga mx500 on ebay for $50 but will keep this link for future reference. Maybe I should buy one as a backup for this price tho????

The good news is that you can clone your old remote to your new (used) one, so all your files copied and you don't have to reprogram (unless you're really into that...). You can find the MX500 owners manual that explains cloning here: [Link: universalremote.com]