Harmony One

I've long been a fan of Logitech and their Harmony remotes. I've had a Harmony Universal Remote for the Xbox 360 for about two years, and I have had no real complaints about it. Just think, a remote that can control my TV, Xbox 360, my AV Receiver, Set Top Box (STB) and DVD player. Normally when I would turn on television, I would press the power button for the TV, one for the STB and one for the receiver. In addition to that, I would have to make sure that the TV and the AV Receiver would have to be in the correct input in order for me to view a picture. So that's at least three presses on several remotes. With the Harmony remotes, the amount of remotes you should use comes down to one, and in most cases, one button press. That one button press will turn on each of your components, and set the components to the correct inputs.

However, my Xbox 360 remote's LCD decided to take a poop on me. On Black Friday, I decided to pick up a Harmony 880 for $100 at Circuit City and would decide that this is the remote for me. However, I was able to pick up a Harmony One for slightly more. So the 880 is going back, and I open this puppy up.

Boy, I was happy when I got this thing working. Touch screen control for the Activities, the ability to set favorite channels and upload the appropriate icons, a rechargable base (so no more batteries), and a feel that is much better than the Xbox 360 remote. Is the cost worth it? Many people say it's not - "It's just a remote." But for me, it is. It gives my wife one touch control, less remotes to fool around with, and a few seconds saved each time when doing different things. Get one. You won't regret it.