Harmony 525 v Kameleon 6 Way

[RichardB]

HI, I'm looking to replace my Sony VL-1000 and can tell Harmony remotes are impressive. I saw the Kameleon 6 on Amazon for a mere 26 notes though and given I want to get something reasonably cheap that seems like quite a good deal to me.

Can anyone comment on them? Amazon have the 525 at £47, so there's a fair difference in price but if its worth it then I'd maybe go for it.

I need to have the following controlled:

• Philips 28PW6305 TV
• Yamaha RX-V357
• Thomson DHD4000 PVR
• Ellion DVX520C DVD Player
• iPod Univeral Dock (not particularly essential)

Or if there are any alternatives I should look at too then suggest away!!

Kameleon

Harmony 525

Thanking you!!

[darren_eaf]

I've had quite a few all-in-one remotes before, but never got them to fully control everything.

That was until I got a Harmony 525, and it does everything I need it to do. The activity functions on it are brill.

[clockworks]

The Harmony is easily worth the extra £21. While a Kameleon will probably work, it's nowhere near as user friendly.

I too have tried loads of remotes (including a Kameleon and a Pronto), and the Harmony models offer the best balance of useability against price.

[andyloc]

can I ask what about the Philips 9600 as well?

Although logitech state that only the 800 series will control Telewest Cable Pace boxes due to the irda, has someone tried them with a normal Telewest set-top digi box? does it work?

this is a deciding factor for me as I have to have it able to control a Telewst box as pointless otherwise for me

cheers

[hornydragon]

IF telewest box is IRDA then you may be able to use a "redremote eye" to solve the issue

[andyloc]

Not sure what it is but didnt want to do this, as its quicte costly.

Some bits and peices around net are saying it does work. I have a tevion (from Aldi) nd it sort of control it, can change channels, pick channel no etc with it.

i want to be able to control it properly though

[edworthy13]

Hi,Kameleon 6 has now gone up to £49.99.Thanks

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by andyloc

Some bits and peices around net are saying it does work. I have a tevion (from Aldi) nd it sort of control it, can change channels, pick channel no etc with it.

As long as you have your original remote controls that came with the kit then you teach all command to the harmonies I havent used a harmony with 4000 series PAce telewest box but there is no reason inkow of that would stop it.

[andyloc]

I have the remote that came with it yes.

but what is all this about different irda you said (and others), the Logitech FAQ also says cant control but reading around the net its says maybe ,yes , a bit etc.

If it uses a different irda to others then how can the 525 control it?

Im still waiting for Logitech to call back.

thanks for helping so far

[Peter B]

I bought a Kameleon 6 way remote last year and only kept it for a couple of months.

I found its movement sensor to be so overly sensitive that the back lights were coming on constantly, even the sub woofer could light it up at a reletively low volume.

This led to it going through an incredible amount of batteries and as I'd bought the previous model that did not have the docking station/charger I found it just too annoying to keep. Another frustration was that although the keys are programable it is not possible to re-label them which meant you had to remember what had been programmed (if it was different from the standard icon). I managed ok but the missus had many a frustrating run in with the Kameleon!

I gave this remote to my father in law who initially loved it.

However, It could NOT control his Telewest digital box which left it kind of pointless!...

I bought a One for All Mosaic from Richer Sounds for about £40. It's a bit on the bulky side but far superior to the Kameleon! All keys programmable, keys can be re-labeled, controllable backlight, docking/charging station (at extra cost). Good built in code library and it's also a learning remote. Not sure if it will change Telewest boxes though - sorry. If it's of interest let me know and I'll take it over to the in-laws at the weekend to try it! As far as value is concerned I reckon it's hard to beat!

I've heard that the Harmony remotes are pretty good.

[Autopilot]

The 525 beats the Kameleon hands down.

The Kameleon is just awful to set up and use and it build quality is terrible. I lasted 2 weeks with me before i swapped it for a much better Cambridge Audio M1+. But now i have a 525 and it's 10 times better than the other 2 put together.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by andyloc

I have the remote that came with it yes.

but what is all this about different irda you said (and others), the Logitech FAQ also says cant control but reading around the net its says maybe ,yes , a bit etc.

If it uses a different irda to others then how can the 525 control it?

Im still waiting for Logitech to call back.

thanks for helping so far

as long as your ntl box is NOT a PACE 1000 series or PACE 2000 series you will be fine with a hamrony

[andyloc]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

as long as your ntl box is NOT a PACE 1000 series or PACE 2000 series you will be fine with a hamrony

That is fantastic news then! I take it that the older 1000 & 2000 boxes use irda do they and the newer use RC5/6?

Can I ask where you got this info please?

thanks again, I will order and let you know thanks