User reviews for the Radio Shack 15-2133 Kameleon from Radio Shack. Ratings Reviews MSRP (USD) Average: 3.82/5.00 Median: 4.33/5.00 100 $59 This sleek six-device remote features a brand new technology that only illuminates the commands available for the selected device on its colored touch-sensitive panel. Includes learning capabilities and basic macros. Message Forum Our Review Clicker Picker Specifications Add Your Review Find universal remotes at:

Written by Richard from ct. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 30 made on Saturday March 29, 2003 at 3:30 PM. Strengths: glows in the dark, use many devices Weaknesses: slippery in the hand, hard to hold. I'm considering using a Velcro loop to make it easier to hold. Review: Bought it for my 82 year-old uncle because he got confused with the number of remotes (cable box, TV, VCR)but he would not use it. I use it myself with 4 devices at home (TV, cable, VCR, DVD). Most devices are from the Panasonic brand, a known brand making it easier to program. Was very convenient to use at the hospital when my aunt was hospitalized, not having to walk to the TV to change channels. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Richard from Greensboro, NC. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 29 made on Thursday March 27, 2003 at 8:16 PM. Strengths: Good idea Relatively inexpensive Strong signal Well designed (mostly) Weaknesses: The back is not flat, so you cannot use it on a table--it tips when you press it. Awkward learning mode Too fast time-out (not adjustable) Learning mode times out too fast too Review: I agree with those who say this is a "first try" at what will probably be a great product in the future. Designing a remote that cannot be used on a flat surface (because it tilts when pressed) is rather stupid. Conserving battery power is fine, but leave the time-out duration up to the user. I don't like it going black in 7 seconds, especially while I'm trying to program it in learning mode. Maybe it's my unit only, but the "motion turn on" feature sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. The manual has Spanish annoyinging intermixed with English--not at the end, as usual. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Tom from SC, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 28 made on Saturday February 22, 2003 at 9:02 PM. Strengths: cool look..wife likes it controls all my devices(even Denon) sturdy, solid feel,even battery compartment screws in...no cheap plastic snap on Weaknesses: sides are slippery... could use rubber sides display times out a little quick Review: Works great and the radio shack customer service is excellent, walked me through downloading the new Denon codes over the phone. It has enough macros for most users. Easy to program with codes or learning. This may sound strange but it is the perfect size for tall people with big hands. It is long and fits in my hands perfect, whereas some remotes seem tiny to me. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Peter from Virginia, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 27 made on Tuesday February 18, 2003 at 5:04 AM. Strengths: Customizablity, upgradablity, visually unique Weaknesses: Large size, multiple screens, lack of intuitive feel, battery compartment Review: The Kameleon is a fairly solid device but seems to be a test, a stepping stone to another generation of remotes for those who like the feel of a tactile remote but who don't want to go to an LCD with it's accompanying expense. The display is definitely an eye-catcher and it's multiple screens are a plus for those into the golly-gee-whizzery of gadgetry, but after using it for awhile, I found it to be a cumbersome device to use. The Kameleon must have been designed with a strong eye for making the functions work in a sleek case rather than with an eye towards ergonomics. The hardware required to make the animated, illuminated graphics, the changing screens and also give the tactile sensation must be on the large side, which thereby must have forced the designers to do what they did. The case is wide and long with the result that you will frequently have to use two hands to operate it. Although the changing screens are interesting, the concept is probably a by-product necessitated by the size of the hardware inside that makes it work. I can imagine a design meeting at OFA at which they realize the Kameleon would be as long as your forearm if they put all of the functions on one screen. Some young designer then probably said 'what about multiple screens for each device?' The assembled crowd would stroke their chins and say Hmmmmmmm. Then a guy from Marketing probably jumped up and said, 'Yeah! We can market the heck out of this thing using the multiple screen deal!' The multiple screens are interesting but bothersome if you need to customize buttons for a device across two screens. On other points: Why they decided the battery compartment required a screw-down connection is a mystery to me. Very inconvenient. The unit tends to go dormant too quickly for my taste...a nonplus if you're channel surfing. However, it makes up for this by being sensitive to awaken. The thing wakes up every time my cat even looks at the coffee table! (...only half kidding) This can't be good for battery life. The tactile feel of the screen is good but could use improvement. It still does not have the solid feel of a normal, button remote. Further, there is a certain intuitive knowledge one gets after using any particular remote for awhile...the size of the buttons, their individual shapes and locations on the device. These all frequently help to alleviate the need to look at the device while one is working with it. This is not effectively possible with the Kameleon because the entire screen feels the same and unless one looks at the device, there's no way to tell what screen mode one is in. In summary, the Kameleon is an interesting step in a new direction but it has quite a way to go. Keep coming with the great ideas, guys, but until then, I've replaced the Kameleon with a URC-8910. It has the same customizablity and upgradability as the Kameleon but with normal buttons. I've found the 8910 to be a functionally and ergonomically superior unit to the Kameleon and I recommend it. I give the Kameleon an above average quality rating because it does seem to be a well made unit. For reasons stated above, however, I give it low marks for features driven more by marketing and hardware limitations than by functionality and ergonomics, thereby resulting in only an average value rating. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Michael Barnhart from Elizabethtown, PA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 26 made on Monday February 10, 2003 at 6:12 PM. Strengths: Easy to use. VERY good illumination. Good Price. WOW factor. Weaknesses: Cannot rename keys. Cannot change screen setups. Review: I needed to find a remote my wife could use. When I saw this one, I knew my problems were solved. It is easy to use, easy to setup, and has a great WOW factor. It has 4 macros, enought for most anyone. It can control 6 devices, enough for most anyone. It has button punchthrough, so the volume can be made to always control the receiver no matter which component you have selected. Others have mentioned a buzzing sound, but I can only hear it if I place the remote directly against my ear. Otherwise it is silent. Return those that buzz for a new one. The only thing I do not like about this remote is not being able to rename the keys. For instance, my receiver's inputs are DVD-6CH, CD, etc. On the remote you must use the channel number keys. Easy to get used to using, but would prefer to rename. All in all, it is a wondrous remote. And for only about $50 US it is a steal! I think we are about to see a remote control revolution, with the Kameleon as the leader for now. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Philip from Losa Angeles, CA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 25 made on Wednesday February 5, 2003 at 1:03 PM. Strengths: New-generation technology Ease of use Simple to program Family-friendly Weaknesses: For the price, hardly any few weaknesses, other than an inability to program which buttons show up on a given screen. Review: This unit is what I had been looking for: a learning remote that performs most, if not all, of the functions I needed with minimal programming; that gets away from the "dozens-of-tiny-buttons" syndrome; and that is not intimidating to those less interested than I in the inner workings of remotes -- mainly, my wife. Programming a Sony TV, Sharp VCR, and a Scientific Atlanta digital cable box was child's play, taking perhaps 6 minutes all in all. Programming the Sony DAV-C770 "Dream" home theater systam was more of a problem -- no one seems to have the codes, with some claiming that no universal remote can absorb them as Sony's new units are using a different remote code system than previously. A call to Radio Shack's support number put the lie to that. Over the phone, they downloaded a code for the Audio key that manages nearly all the audio functions, and most of the DVD functions as well! Having tried a number of other remotes, I couldn't recommend this one higher to anyone other than total techno-geeks, for whom complexity is an asset. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Mike from Texas, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 24 made on Monday February 3, 2003 at 11:09 PM. Strengths: Looks great. Easy to use. The animationsa are very cool looking. backlight works great, even in the light Weaknesses: a very light buzzing noise, but not as bad as some of the others have said, you really have to put it up to your ear to hear it. no subtitle button for dvd, but i put it in one of the macro buttons Review: very cool and good looking. I went and bought from radio shack to get rid of the rest of my remotes. Worked great, i had all of my devices programed in 5 minutes. Quality: Features: Value:

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