Can someone please tell me the difference between these two remotes?

Also there are two different looks for the 800 (see below):

Notice the joystick and the circle surrounding it. I think one has a lighted joystick. And then I came across this...

Which one is the real MX-800?

If you look below the picture on my page, it states that it's an actual photograph of an MX-800. That's as real as it gets. ;-)

BTW, the other two aren't authorized dealers.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

I want to check out these remotes in person. Are these available in BB, CC, or GG? I sitll don't know the difference between the 850 and 800. What extra features that the 850 has?

Best to go to http://www.hometheatermaster.com/ and read on both.
The 850 has a list price $100 less than the 800 but the 850 doesn't come with the RF remote unit. Cosmetic difference and in my opinion the New Center Select Button makes the 850 the way to go.

The differences are as follows:

1) MX-850 has a separated select button at the center of the thumbpad, which is a design improvement

2) MX-850 is dark grey, instead of the "champaign" (metallic rose) color

3) MX-800 has glossy "gemstone" buttons...the MX-850 has "laser etched" buttons (not glossy)

Having worked at Universal Remote, doing support and repairing remotes, I think the separated select button is a feature that makes the MX-850 worth it.

Feel free to contact me if you want more information or to find out about our Feb special on the MX-850.

I hope this info is helpful for you!

Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer

I believe the 850 also has full white light backlighting of the LCD screen.

That's right! It has a blueish colored backlight. Good call Gerald!

Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer

I've used both remotes and the new features of the MX850 are nice (backlight and seperate center select button). I think the black/charcole color is cool but it does make it harder to find in a darkened theater setting. To get up, turn on the lights, find the remote, to ajust the lights defeats the purpose. The MX800 feels like a more refinded remote (solid) and the MX850 feels like a generic copy (harsh but I don't know how to explain the difference in the feel). HTM took a couple steps forward with the MX850 but forgot/overlooked some of the simple details that made the MX850 so great. Please don't get me wrong. This is my opinion. They're both the excellent remotes w/features that far out weight the price point. But you have to see both remotes side by side and form your own opinion. Good Luck.

Thanks for your replies. The MX-800 from the manufacturer's website looks like this (taken from the manual)
[Link: universalremote.com]

Which I kinda like. This is different from the one being sold at SurfRemoteControl.com

I went to Good Guys over the weekend but they didn't have the MX-800 or the MX-850, that sucks! I really couldn't decide yet which model I like unless I compare them side-by-side and in person. However, everyone seems to be big on the added features of the 850 so i'll set my sights on that model for now. I've narrowed down my choices to the HTM and the Harmony remotes (676, 680 or 688). They only have the 676 model at Fry's Electronics and so far I like the feel of that in my hand.

BTW, what are the special deals going on in February? And why are there no reviews here of the remotes I'm checking out?

The pictures in the manual and on the Home Theater Master website are wrong. The MX-800 does not look like that. It has always looked like the picture on my website and still does. Daniel also has an accurate picture here.

For reviews, look at the MX-700/800 review. Other than the separate center select button, button style, color and backlighting, the MX-850 is operationally the same as the MX-800, which is just an RF version of the MX-700.

As far as the Harmonys are concerned, all the "6" series remotes (659, 676, 680 and 688) all have identical programming ability. They only differ in button layout, style and labeling. Look at the 659 review for information that applies to all of them.

Feel free to call me if you have any other questions.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com