These two remotes seem quite similar (except for price). Has anybody owned both so that they can compare them? Which is the better remote for:

Panasonic TV
Pioneer digital cable box
Panasonic ReplayTV
JVC DVD Player
H/K Receiver
H/K CD Player
X10 Lights

I didn't have the time earlier to elaborate, but I'm in the process of getting rid of a TC1000 (I hated the touchscreen and monstrous delays between button presses and when the signals were sent). Because of that remote, I've decided that a button remote is the way to go...especially since I have the ReplayTV. The transport buttons on both remotes, especially the MX-500 are very nice. I'm sure I'll miss the customization possibilities with the touchscreen, but overall, I want to watch the TV, not the remote between every single button press! So, does anyone have a preference between the MX-500 and the MKII?

The only knowledge of the 500 is Daniel's review I read here at RC. I have owned both an original 2000 and now run a MkII.

My thoughts on how they stack up?

The MkII can run more functions than the 500. There are 32 programmable LCD labeled keys (4 pages) per device where the 500 has 20 (2 pages).

The 500 comes with built-in codes for most gear setup. The MkII must be taught everything if you aren't running stuff that uses Phillips RC-5 infrared codes (which it doesn't look like you are.)

They both run macros and have good backlighting.

For me, I think that the extra 12 buttons per device are something that I hate to give up. But if you don't need that many, the 500 can be purchased for at least $50 less (and really should be more savings than that.)

I guess that in the end, they are more alike than different.

BTW, I used to own a Home Theater Master SL-9000, so I do have some experience with their products. I liked the 9000 but ended up going to a Sony 2100 due to the 9000 not having dedicated DVD transport keys.

OOPS! Not transport keys, but menu and navigation keys!

There is a review by someone who has both.

I think the MX500 beats the RC2000 fairly handily, especially now after the device macro delay has been reduced down to 1 sec. Yes 12 less functions per device, but that's 53 vs. 65 which doesn't usually matter. Only problem may be on a receiver where you want to put most of the buttons on the LCD, and even then you usually have a device left over so you can spill some of the functions onto the extra device. I also prefer MX-500's 10 functions per LCD page vs. 8, which I would use more often than the extra pages.

Meanwhile, the MX500 is a lot lighter and easier to hold, has a better key layout IMO, has 5 char LCD vs. 4, and has stronger IR. Looks like a no-brainer to me; I would hope the MX500 would win easily since it is a couple years newer.

Thanks Stephen! That was exactly what I was looking for. After reading many reviews and now that one from someone who has both, I'm convinced the MX-500 is the way to go. Feature wise, they are quite similar. But, in the end, I think the little things are the deal makers. For example, I like the layout of the MX-500, the fact that it's much lighter (I didn't realize it was 1/2 the weight of the MKII!), and that it costs less. Thanks you guys!