From the messages here and the DirecTV forum I am really torn between the SST659 and the MX-500. I have a Sony widescreen TV, Denon DVD player, Sony 555ES receiver, Sony VCR, SAT-60 Tivo Satellite receiver and a SAT-55 Satellite receiver. It appears the SST-659 is easier to setup and the MX-500 is easier to use. My wife is very frustrated with the touch screen remote that came with my 555ES because she finds it hard to use. I am frustrated with it because it can't learn and is unable to operate the Tivo receiver. I can only afford one so I want to make the best choice. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

My .02 cents worth,

The MX-500 is a good remote but with limited macro capability. If you want to swith from, let's say, TV sound to surround sound, you will have to dedicate one of the macro keys to do that.

On the other hand, the SST-659 has what they call SST technology so the remote always knows what is your current devices status (i.e. TV on, Surround on, etc). Furthermore, in case of an out of sync situation, you have the help button on the remote to guide the user.

If you're watching TV and want to switch to music listening, just press the corresponding activity button and the remote will turn on and off the required devices.

In my view, and with the current discount, I would go with the SST-659.

Martin :-)

Current Discount?

What current discount?

I haven't checked out the other e-tailers, but if you click on the 659 at bludo, then they will e-mail a coupon code for $50.

I have both. I love the feel and versatility of the MX500, and it's great as a bunch of remotes in one.

But the 659 is so much closer to just-do-what-I-want, that I don't think I would have bought the MX500 if I had bought the 659 first. Compared with the ongoing effort to use the MX500, everyone at home instantly knew how to use the 659.

If I had thought about it and worked on it for about a year, my MX500 might have worked like my 659. Maybe.

"If I had thought about it and worked on it for about a year, my MX500 might have worked like my 659. Maybe."

I had the opposite experience. After 2 weeks of trying to get the 659 to do what the MX-500 can do so easily, I gave up and returned the 659.

It still amazes me that anyone could be happy with the 659 but I do realize that everyone's needs and likes are different. What's great for me isn't necessarily great for another.

My main advice is try both in actual use for a couple of weeks and make your decision only on your own experiences.

I had some initial frustration with the 659, too, and nearly gave up. It took some time to think in terms of being activity-based, and some reconfiguration time through the harmony site, and some download/update time. But in 2-3 hours I got 95% there. I've spent some more time noodling, trying to tweak things to perfection, and there's very little left that I would want to change.

By the way (and at the risk of sounding like an ad), the Harmony phone support is some of the finest I've encountered. I should have contacted them first, rather than making my situation into an unnecessary science project.

I miss the familiarity of my MX500 (remember how this thread got started?), but the 659 now blows it away.