Ok, it's a bit of a cheeky thread title, but it gets at something I've noticed in my "research" for a new remote.

I have the MX500 and it is terrific. But I also like the idea of something more customizable, both graphically and creation of macros (lusting after a Marantz RC92000).

However, in reading comments on these forums and user reviews of remotes, a similar theme keeps popping up.
I keep reading of people who are so happy to have gone from touch-screen LCD based remotes (e.g. Pronto) to hard button remotes (e.g. HTM MX500). There always seems to be a big relief once the hard button remote is introduced - the users dump their Prontos unresearvedly for the hard button remotes.

What I rarely see is the reverse - people who have moved from a *quality* hard button-based remote to a touch screen remote, and who have expressed their happiness with the change. I know people love their Prontos for their power programming, but are they as enthusastic about going touchscreen as the others are about going to hard buttons? Are you guys out there?

Mucho Thanks,

Rich.

....man, nuthin' at all? This is a forum devoted to remote controls isn't it? Hello....hello....:-)

Rich.

Rich,

You have to first realize that not many people either have the extra cash to "waste" on a total touchscreen like a pronto; or don't want to spend as much on a remote as a significant component in their systems, like their dvd players. Fact is, If i had the money for a color pronto I could buy three dvd's that I'd like to have.
Then there's the issue of personal preference. Some prefer a totally hardbutton remote and just operate it by feel, or familiarity. Others like one with just an lcd screen which indicates which mode their in. Flipping thru pages or screens on a pronto to get to the button you need doesn't appeal to some. Personally, I wouldn't want a touchscreen because I don't relish the idea of having to look at the remote so much.
Touchscreens have their places and I get the impression it's mostly a "status" thing: I can afford a remote that costs more than my dvd player; kinda like hey, lookat me, I got a BMW.
Rob, for instance has a pronto, but he prefers to actually use his 30.00 RS 15-1994. I assume he just found out that using a pronto just isn't all it's kicked up to be, his 30.00 remote is just as capable and easier to use; wife friendly, etc.
I'm sure there may be touchscreen users that are "happy" with their remotes, ; but I also suspect that some of that "joy" is defensive; it's pretty hard to tell yourself you made a big mistake when you've invested so much.
I'm surprised Anthony hasn't jumped on your post, he's usually pretty quick to recommend someone buy a pronto; he likes helping other people spend their dough. ;)
I think you're gonna finds that "happiness" with a remote isn't just a simple matter of hardbuttons vs. semi-hard-buttons vs touchscreens. There a whole ton of variables that weigh in including economics, egos, sense of "value", etc.
Jim

Actually, i bought the Pronto for an intended purpose. It's still hooked up to my PC where it's been since the day I bought it. I use it to read IR signals. Of course, I bought it before JP1 was invented, because now you don't need an expensive PRonto, you can read IR signals with cheap OFA and RS remotes.

Rob

I think most people are not used to TS remotes, so they get them without knowing if they like them or not. Some do like them and stick with them, while others don't and go back to buttons. Since most people have used PB remotes they definitely know what they think of them (and even though not all PB remotes are equal, the benefits of PB over TS are the same from the simplest PB remote).



for some maybe, for others it is simplicity, for others convenience.

I got into the Pronto with work, it has definitely made the VC system usable without any training. I loved it at work and that is why I got one for home.



I was just at my sisters this weekend (why I did not post earlier :-)) my brother in law said it again that the best thing I ever did was convincing them to get a Pronto


lol, but talked my BiL into a new DVD player


he did not get the Pronto to use as a remote, he got it to do some tests with it. and from his post above, I don't think he ever even tried setting it up. Might be the opposite of what you said :-) (scared to find out he would like the Pronto better)