I have my MX700 now and my first impressions are that I may not be able to live with the SELECT key as it is similar to the GS2. Why, oh why, didn't they go back to the works-everytime, flawless, original MX500 key?

More in a few days as I program it to see if that offsets this problem for me, but for now...shucks.

Jim

Jim,

The original MX-500 keypad was changed because the old MX-500 thumbpad was a cellular telephone part only speced for 100,000 presses! The new keypad style is more appropriate for a remote (versus a cell phone!)

Randy
www.BlueDo.com

This message was edited by www.BlueDo.com on 05/24/02 13:31.05.

Let's analyze 100K SELECT presses for my use with the 18 devices in my HT.

1. Use the remote 300 days/year.
2. Press SELECT key 50 times/day due to its heavy Direct/TiVo use
3. 300 X 50 = 15,000 SELECT presses/year
4. 100,000/15,000 = The SELECT key should last 6.67 years

I'll have replaced the remote probably 2X in that time,

IMHO, the new SELECT key is an overkill and I'll take the original.

YMMV.

Jim



This message was edited by Jim Christian on 05/24/02 14:02.34.

Well, some folks (like myself probably) press the button 100k times in one year! If the button broke or fell off after a year I'd be displeased...

Anyway, I know of folks with HTM products that are years and years old... and they still work fine. They should. And it's responsible for HTM to realize the shortsightedness of 100k presses and upgrade the thumbpad. Obviously the new one is a little different, but it's been many months already and in all honestly, I'd bet less than one tenth of one percent have mentioned that there is a problem overall with the new thumbpad.

Randy
www.BlueDo.com

While I wasn't about to trade in my pre-Gemstone MX-500 for a Gemstone model because I preferred the old thumbpad, I didn't have any problems using the GS2 Select. I think my old 500's days are numbered now with the 700 in hand. :-)

However, what about the dozens of other 5-way thumbpad/joystick style remotes out there? There's more than just a single 5-way switch available.

Yes. Some are good. Some are bad. And some last forever. And some break easily.

The MX-700's thumbpad could be better, and I hope they improve it's heavy feel, but I'd rather go with longevity than a cheap joystick.

... Greg :-)

Comparing the MX-700 side by side with the current MX-500, the buttons look indentical (color aside of course) but the MX-700 is a bit easier to push. Both find SELECT quite easily.

Without ever having used an MX-500, I am having no problems with the MX-700 thumbpad. It works fine.
I can compare it to the joystick of the MX-1000 and actually prefer the joystick style versus the pad of the Mx700.

Let me add that the MX-700 is hands-down now the preferred remote in our household, because the versatility of the software enables it to be more user friendly. If the software for the MX-1000 was as advanced as the Mx700 it would be a tough call.

I too am not having any real problems with the MX-700 thumbpad. It does take a little getting used to, but I've even used it (directional and select buttons) single-handed pressing with the index finger nail.

DJ