[Sandman]

After a couple of years of abuse from a toddler my Harmony 885 got to the point where it was almost unusable (buttons needing a very hard press to operate and the screen was cracked). I was very happy with my 885 and initially looked to having it repaired or replace it with another 885. I phoned Logitech support to enquire about getting it repaired but was advised that they do not offer this service but instead gave me a 50% off voucher to spend on a new remote.

After browsing all the current Harmony models I decided that the 700 would fill my remote needs (I hate touch screen remotes after having a pronto and a harmony 1000 and also use the coloured buttons a lot so the One was not an option*). The fact I only had top pay £45 for it was a bonus.

The Good

My Harmony 700 was delivered yesterday and first impressions are good. Compared to the 885 the build quality seems far superior and the buttons all have a much more positive feel to them. It is also much more comfortable to hold in the hand than the old 885. So far so good! Setting the remote up only took 15 minutes as I used the “change remote” process within the Harmony software, once that was done all I did was customise a few buttons and all was working.

One thing that got me puzzled was I couldn’t find the power on delay settings within the software and I had to do a search on Google to find how to adjust this (I could probably have read the manual too). Changing the power on delay is done via the remote handset itself, you press and hold the “help” button for 5 seconds to enter an advanced setup menu then follow the on screen instructions to change the delays. Worked a treat and is a lot quicker than using the pc software (especially if you use trial and error to find the correct delay).


I use the 700 to control my living room set up which contains a Samsung LCD, Sky HD box, Onkyo receiver, Sony Blu-ray and a MS Xbox. I have 4 activities set up, Watch TV, Watch Movie, Play Xbox and listen to music (Xbox media center extender).

The Bad
The biggest downside in this remote is it is restricted to having only 6 devices, this is ample for me as I only need to control 5 devices and I am sure more folk would find 6 enough for a single room setup but I can see it being a problem for some.

It doesn’t have a charging cradle like the 885, One, 1100 and 900, it is rechargeable though through the USB socket and comes with a wall plug for it. I don’t know how long the battery lasts as I just got it but reading reviews I am expecting it to last about 3 weeks between charges (which take 3 hours

The screen is only big enough for 4 buttons unlike the 885 and One which have 6 buttons on the screen.

Verdict

I am very happy with my purchase and much prefer it to my old 885, it just feels like a much better piece of hardware, it is made from better plastic, the buttons feel nicer and it a nicer shape (thinner but longer). The fact I only paid £45 is a bonus but I would still be happy had I paid £90. If you have more than 6 devices then the 700 is not an option and you should look at the One (which can be bought for under £120) but if 6 devices is enough for you I cannot recommend the 700 enough.

I will post pictures comparing it to the 885 once I am back home.

*I know you can map the coloured buttons to spare hard buttons but I need my remote to be as simple to operate as possible for my mum who regularly comes to babysit.

[Keiron]

Originally Posted by Sandman

It doesn’t have a charging cradle like the 885, One, 1100 and 900, it is rechargeable though through the USB socket and comes with a wall plug for it. I don’t know how long the battery lasts as I just got it but reading reviews I am expecting it to last about 3 weeks between charges (which take 3 hours

I got one too a couple of weeks ago. Getting there slowly with programming.

Mine has just gone flat and I left it plugged into the USB port on my PC overnight thinking it would charge it. But it didn't. Seems you have to plug it into the wall wart to charge, which is a little ugly and inconvenient.

[logiciel]

Yes, it doesn't charge from the computer. Isn't there anything with it to tell you that?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by logiciel

Yes, it doesn't charge from the computer. Isn't there anything with it to tell you that?

The instructions?

[Keiron]

Originally Posted by Sandman

The instructions?

What? Read the instructions?! What kind of a man are you?

In all seriousness though - the batteries lasted about a week in mine - hugely disappointing - maybe will last longer if you aren't messing with it all the time.

But still, can't understand why it won't charge from a PC like pretty much every other bit of kit I have.

And the OK button is giving me a blister!

[Sandman]

Thats a week I have had mine and it is still going strong (although there is no battery indicator so no way of knowing the battery status). I am expecting at least 3 weeks from a charge (thats what I found on the net). I will update this thread when it runs out.
Oh, I have big hands and dont find the OK button to be a problem at all.

[rauer]

I just replaced an 885 with a 700 and so far I'm surprisingly pleased with it. Actually I find the ergonomics better than on the 885, especially the better dedicated colour buttons that my Toppy needs. I only bought it less than a week ago, so I have no idea how long the batteries run this thing. The USB cable charging and lack of charge display are minor annoyances. On the positive side, the remote came with proper Eneloop AA rechargable batteries, so they should usually last quite some time charged and can eventually be replaced easily.

[Keiron]

I'm having major problems with mine.

Ecer since I got it, when updating it regularly gets stuck ast 3%. I have to remove batteries, reboot the PC etc and eventually it gets going.

But now, I can't get beyond the 3% at all, whatever I do. Google seems to suggest other people have suffered this but I cannot find a solution. Anyone any suggestions?

[logiciel]

It happens to everyone occasionally, but if it's happening to you all the time it's time for a replacement.

[Sandman]

The fact the battery only lasts one week on yours also makes me think you have a duff one. Call Logitech and they will send you a new one and put a bar on you existing one (they are very good like that). It might be worth trying a firmware update first though.

[Broadsword]

Originally Posted by Keiron

I'm having major problems with mine.

Ecer since I got it, when updating it regularly gets stuck ast 3%. I have to remove batteries, reboot the PC etc and eventually it gets going.

But now, I can't get beyond the 3% at all, whatever I do. Google seems to suggest other people have suffered this but I cannot find a solution. Anyone any suggestions?

I have this issue and it seems if I disable my virus software until it gets past the 3% bit it happily continues to 100%. I have kaspersky btw.

[rauer]

What happens when the battery drains? Does it just turn itself off suddenly or is there a message about battery draining? I've charged mine about weekly just in case and so far it hasn't drained a single time. On the other hand, my old 885 had always charging problems and perhaps it became never really full, but it only lasted about two days. So with this remote's more than a week (no idea how much more) it's great.

[Sandman]

That will be 3 weeks tomorrow since I got mine and it is still going in its original charge so I don't know what happens when it runs out yet.

[monksy74]

When the battery us getting low it displays a big battery icon on the screen and says it needs charging. You need to press a button before all the normal commands start working again. You can carry on using it for a while after you get the warning.

Mine generally goes 3-4 weeks between charges

[lds1]

I'm thinking of buying a Harmony 700 but there does not appear to be a "Text" button. Any advice anyone?

Cheers.

[logiciel]

You can put any command on any button.
There aren't enough buttons on any universal remote for all the commands for all the devices so some less common ones don't have buttons with their name on.

[monksy74]

Originally Posted by lds1

I'm thinking of buying a Harmony 700 but there does not appear to be a "Text" button. Any advice anyone?

Cheers.

Any command that doesn't logically map to an existing button is best mapped to the screen with a description of your choice. You can have several pages of screen buttons per activity / device.

You can map to a spare button but then everyone has to remember that "Guide" is "Text" (or "Menu" is "Red"). It's fine if it's convenient and you use it often

[Sandman]

Finally got the message on screen to say the remote needed charged. Thats 4 1/2 weeks since its original charge which I think is pretty good.

[lds1]

Help please.

I have just purchased a Harmony 700 from Amazon ( Market Place )

It was described as new but the box has a Currys sticker which says pre owned !

It looks OK but it may be faulty.

I have set it up on my laptop and all seemed OK, but the buttons for the help screen will not work.

Is it possible to do a factory/out of box reset to prove that it works?

Cheers.

[logiciel]

Hi - let us know what the "help screen" is.

[monksy74]

Originally Posted by lds1

Help please.

I have just purchased a Harmony 700 from Amazon ( Market Place )

It was described as new but the box has a Currys sticker which says pre owned !

It looks OK but it may be faulty.

I have set it up on my laptop and all seemed OK, but the buttons for the help screen will not work.

Is it possible to do a factory/out of box reset to prove that it works?

Cheers.

Hi, did you think you were buying a new one? If soni would return it anyway.

Logitech have a very good warranty policy and replace faulty remotes quickly and without any fuss.

Their warranties aren't transferrable and they know if a remote has been used on another account.

If it has been used, you won't have a warranty

[lds1]

Originally Posted by logiciel

Hi - let us know what the "help screen" is.

I mean the welcome screen.

It says press right arrow for more, but nothing happens.

Cheers.

[Sandman]

Are sure you are pressing the correct button? Are you pressing the right arrow below the screen or the button to the side of the screen that the arrow is pointing at?
You can go into remote settings and display settings in the pc software and turn these "help" screens off.

[lds1]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Are sure you are pressing the correct button? Are you pressing the right arrow below the screen or the button to the side of the screen that the arrow is pointing at?
You can go into remote settings and display settings in the pc software and turn these "help" screens off.

I have turned off help screen in software.

I have deleted all devises except TV ( Sony KDL-37V5500 )

After disconnecting from PC screen now says Watch TV but nothing happens when tv activity button is pressed.

Pressing any other button causes display to say " Use Harmony software to set up activity on this button", from then on no buttons work this message cannot be exited.

Any advice anyone?

Cheers.

[logiciel]

In the software check at Activities> Settings> Review Settings that the Activity is set up correctly, and at Activities> Customise Buttons that commands are correctly assigned to buttons.

[lds1]

Originally Posted by logiciel

In the software check at Activities> Settings> Review Settings that the Activity is set up correctly, and at Activities> Customise Buttons that commands are correctly assigned to buttons.

Thanks for your reply.

The settings seems OK but tv does not come on , even pressing "all off" button brings up the afore mentioned message.

Cheers.

[logiciel]

That's OK. What happens when you press buttons at the remote's TV Device setting?

[lds1]

Originally Posted by logiciel

That's OK. What happens when you press buttons at the remote's TV Device setting?

Nothing happens. It seems most buttons do nothing.

I have watch TV,watch teletext and watch DVD set up. Screen indicates 2 pages but arrow buttons have no effect neither does center button below screen which I think should select devices.

Cheers.

I have just discovered that if I press and hold an activity button then press OK the activity launches.

I thought just pressing the activity button on its own launched the activity, confirmation please.

I suspect the unit is faulty as when watch tv is selected the volume up button causes watch DVD to launch.

Will Logitech supply a replacement if I phone them?

Many thanks.

[Sandman]

Just pressing the activity button on its own should launch the activity. If this isn't working then either it is not set up properly or the remote is faulty.

[monksy74]

Originally Posted by lds1

Nothing happens. It seems most buttons do nothing.

I have watch TV,watch teletext and watch DVD set up. Screen indicates 2 pages but arrow buttons have no effect neither does center button below screen which I think should select devices.

Cheers.

I have just discovered that if I press and hold an activity button then press OK the activity launches.

I thought just pressing the activity button on its own launched the activity, confirmation please.

I suspect the unit is faulty as when watch tv is selected the volume up button causes watch DVD to launch.

Will Logitech supply a replacement if I phone them?

Many thanks.

As I said before, Logitech are normally very good about replacing faulty remotes but warranty is invalid if it's been used on a different acount.

Something sounds wrong with what you're describing. You can't accidentally program the vol up button to launch an activity.

You should go back to the amazon seller and ask for a refund.