Any opinions or comments on the IR output of the Pronto. Does it work well from a distance and off-center? I did several quick searches and found some comments on the Madrigal IRIQ but didn't find much on the Pronto. I have a Sony RM-AV2000, it's output is great (even works with my back to the system !). Now I'm setting up another room and really want a Pronto based on what I've read here. I detest remotes that have to be level/right on axis. Will I be satisfied with the Pronto?

You'll find the IR output of Pronto to be strong and broad. I doubt you'll have any problems with directionality.

Having broad coverage is a necessary part of providing good macro support, since the user may activate a macro and put the unit down while a macro is still playing. Since you can't guarentee what angle the remote will be at relative to the equipment, it's important that the coverage is broad so the macro executes to completion correctly.

Though I suspect many of the answers you receive will be somewhat subjective, here's my $.02

This is the most responsive, powerful remote I've ever seen -- it responds better than ALL seven of the remotes it replaced. I can bounce it off my head, the back wall. I can aim it at the ceiling, the floor. The only thing that seems to stop it is aimimg it directly at the couch. Granted, my room isn't very large (35' from seating position to TV and 50' side to side), I find this remote to be very powerful.

Really, no joke, I'm wondering if I should wear a lead vest while operating it :-)

35' x 50' isn't very large?

I have found that I don't have to aim at all. I can leave the pronto on the end-table in ANY orientation and just reach over and press a button and it works-- even facing directly away from the equipment. I am so impressed with this thing that I wonder what kind of impact pronto will have on the sales of those high end $1500+ control systems.

Now if only my Echostar 5000 receiver would respond to IR.

Thanks for the responses, just what I had hoped to hear! BTW, I tried an IR extender/amplifier at one point. It used a 9 volt battery and hung on the end of the remote with velcro. It was clumsy and of questionable benefit.

The nicest thing about the strong IR emitter is you don't have to worry when sending long macros - it's going to get through, even if you dip the Pronto or hold it at a bad angle.

I can see how it would have a fair impact on $1500+ systems - but the dealers selling those aren't likely going to tell clients about the Pronto, since comission would be less.

I agree, its IR output is somewhat strong I can operate my equipment around the corner :)

There's one problem I have using power on/off macros: Sometimes the macro doesn't switch the satellite receivers power. Maybe I should relearn this IR code. Any other ideas?

to Kevin: I just want to know how the hell you see your tv from 35 feet away!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps it's a 100' TV? I've never quite understood people who buy a 60" tv or a 21" monitor and then put it as far away from them as possible, giving the visual impression of a 27" or 15" screen. :-)

i believe kevin may be an alien. they of course have telescopic vision.

What was I thinking!?!?! I must of gotten a bad vial of crack :-)

My living room is more like 10' x 30'

Great fun to read this thread. lol...

My room is a bit larger, with a connecting open office area. Pronto drives everything not only in any direction in the main room, but from the office area which is around the corner at 90 degrees, with a wall blocking direct view from about 25' away.

This is one heck of a powerfull remote. I'm sure dogs in our neighborhoods go crazy every time we punch it up.

Seriously.. I intend to take this thing to the shop of a large A/V company I work with and try it out on their Barco digital projectors.. because I have noticed that OFTEN.. durring installations on sites, the projectionist(s) have to break their necks trying to get calibration done.. If it works as well as I think it will for them.. I might have to look into becoming a dealer myself.. cause I will spark a sale of 50 of them in no time.

Happy Shopping!

Pierre