Long time user of URC remotes. I owned and program / reprogrammed my MX-700 and tow MX-900's through various pieces of equipment over the last 5-6 years, and I have the software for both. Very comfortable programming the remotes, as I am an IT professional and A/V geek.

But, the buttons have died again on my second MX-900 after two years. I tried the method shown here about cleaning the inside and applying the conductive paint and that helped for a couple days, but now the buttons are worse than ever.

My question is should I opt for another MX-900 (around $200 on e-bay) and leverage my already coded set up knowing it will die in a year or two, or should I switch the the Logitech Harmony One and be done with URC remotes.

If I could buy another URC remote MX-950 or 980 and have it come with the software, I would probably opt for that, but since I cannot I'm between a rock and hard places.

Opinions on the Harmony One Advanced are welcome.

I have not experienced or heard anything good about Harmony's RF. Secondly, a wizard based programming software like Harmony should not be a part of your repertoire if you know what you seem to know and have already been using it. Open architecture gives you so many more possibilities...

To me there's no comparison between URC pro models and Harmony, period. I also don't understand why on earth you're remotes are lasting you two years. I've got probably a hundred or more that have been out there for at least two years and I've never had any calls about them wearing out. The only problems I have are when they are dropped and that has been twice in my career, same customer both times.

I'm with you on the open architecture. It's fun just thinking of ways to improve your remote and coding it. That is why I am hesitate about switching, but I'm tired of having to buy a new remote every two years or so. Fool me twice....

If I could get the software for the 980, I would try this one.

Just do a search on this site on the MX-900 and you will find a thread on the button problem with that remote. I've experienced first hand on two separate remotes.

I need to make a decision relatively quickly, since I am basically (universal) remoteless. The wife said she really had a hard turning on the TV/system this morning. :)

Totally agree with Freddy. I've never had a bad 900. If you enjoy pushing a Help button constantly then get a Harmony for sure.

Just look down the page in this forum for the thread entitled "MX900 Key Problems" and you see many others with the same problem.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

I'm with both of you on the URC remotes. I love their flexibility and functionality. It's just that I do not want to pay $200 + for a remote that last about 2 years.

I wonder (as a non-dealer) if I can send one of my MX-900's back to URC for a replacement and pay the $125 fee mentioned in the other thread???

yes