Question

Does anybody have any experience with the Logitech Harmony Elite? I don't mind dropping $250 but, I wanna make sure it's worth it. If so, what are your thoughts? Also, if you know of any other smart/universal remotes that will control my electronics/lights, please let me know in the comments. Thanks for any input!  

Answer 1

Just get the hub if you have Alexa

Comments

@jodhpur annoying AF to turn the volume up or down without an actual remote.  

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@quartzite I can get Alexa to change my volume but it is annoying that I can’t just say what number to turn it up to instead of having to repeat the same phrase till it the right level(only goes up or down about 3 numbers at a time) , they really need to update that. I can change it with the phone app as well, so no need for a remote . Had a harmony remote before, this is much better

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@jodhpur the problem is it’s repeating an IR command to your TV or receiver. It’s not harmony’s issue, it’s the receiver. the majority of equipment only listens to “volume up” and “volume down” commands. There’s no discrete IR codes for each volume level. Some denon receivers have a few volume presets that the remote can call upon, but it’s not able to command an arbitrary number. Harmony can only reproduce the signals provided by the original remote. (Sometimes extended commands are present inside your equipment) but putting it simply, the harmony is just mimicking your existing remotes.  

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@quartzite annoying but still don’t feel the need for a actual harmony remote, hub works fine without its only a little niggle

Answer 2

I have one but honestly just use it for volume control. I use Alexa to launch the activities and you only need the hub for that

Comments

Not what I intended to happen when I bought it but thats how it ended up in real world use. It's nice to use when controlling my xbox. I should note I don't have cable TV so all I really need to do is turn stuff and switch the inputs.  

Answer 3

They can be painful. If you have time and determination to programme, they work.  

Comments

Mine seems to be kind of sketchy at best . some times it works. most of the time it doesn’t. I’ve deleted and re-added all my devices multiple times in an effort to make it work the way it should, and it just doesn’t. Though I will confess, I don’t use the remote, and I do think most of my frustration is from the Echo integration. but. still ends up being more hassle than it’s worth so I don’t use it anymore.  

Answer 4

Watch for device limits! They have a maximum number of devices for absolutely no reason. Don’t add devices that you don’t actually NEED to control. ex: Nintendo wii, you make a custom activity to turn on all your devices and set inputs, but since you don’t actually need to control the wii with the harmony you don’t need to add it as a device!  

Answer 5

Love mine. But do get the remote. It is useful for manual control, fixing a stray activity. Remember changing activities turns off the old. You might need to tweak some things to stop it being an issue.  

Answer 6

I have one and like it. It's got it's limitations but I still recommend it. I have a URC MX 880 that is sitting in a drawer. I prefer the Logitech.  

Answer 7

This is overkill for a harmony setup. Unless you actually want a touchscreen remote. I personally would recommend the harmony companion. Comes with a simple remote and the hub. Let me know if you have any questions. I've been installing the harmony line for over 10 years.  

Answer 8

I bought a companion hub and remote on Ebay awhile back for $50. You dont use the remote that often once you get routines setup. I have it paired with google assistant and smartthings

Answer 9

Worth every penny, it has the extra buttons to control smart lights and smart switches  

Answer 10

I have the one with the companion remote, about $60 USD. Works great 98% of the time and it responds to Google Home. Once in awhile though, it doesn't seem to synch any changes I made though. Almost like it may not recognize something has changed. When that happens, I'll remove a device and/or activities, synch, then redo the device and/or activities then synch again. Only way I know how to get around that issue.  

Answer 11

Been using Logitech Harmony Hub for many years. Just upgraded to the one you show and love it (added control buttons). Integrated with both SmartThings and Google and can control almost anything with voice.  

Answer 12

Anyone else have a Wifi delay? I have really good Wi-Fi coverage in my house but when I try to change the volume it takes a few seconds. It’s kinda annoying. Maybe I need to change my setup?  

Comments

What are you using to change volume? Your phone?  

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@terrie Thanksng the remote itself

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The remote is connected to the hub via RF so it's completely independent of the wifi in your house. Not sure why there's a delay though. Maybe try power cycle the hub

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@terrie Thanksng I think it’s a low power Bluetooth link to the remote

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Yeah it goes into a low power mode when not in use so there is a bit of a delay for the first button press after you pick it up.  

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@terris thanks. Any way to delay the low power mode timing?  

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@terris yeah, the first button press is like *yawn* oh. hey. give me a sec. I’m just waking up. I’m the same way.  

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Scratch that. It seems to only alter delay between commands not start up delay.  

Answer 13

Works awesome. I never use remote either. Opening app is easier then finding damn remote.  

Answer 14

Mine works great i have hubs in every room, i bought just the hubs because the fancy remotes with touch screens go on sell for $60 at best buy every so often and when they did I bought them. the app is fast and easy, I also have it control my fireplace, fans and other misc items in the house. anything IR can be manually programmed in it with enough time.  

Answer 15

I bought the hub and the companion remote for $50 two or so years ago. I started setting it up but lost interest. One day, joking around, I said “Alexa, turn on the TV. ” The TV turned on. My face  because I never tested anything and was quite surprised.  

Comments

I have the Harmony Companion remote, hub and blasters that I use with my home theater system. I also have wifi light switches and fan controls that I can control with Google Home but, I haven't taken the leap with Alexa yet. I still like to use that remote. Sometimes I'll tell Google to turn of the lights but, I never really use the feature.  

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Other than the kitchen, where I have a hue dimmer on the wall, or bathrooms with smart switches, I pretty much use Alexa for all lights.  

Answer 16

I set one up for a customer. was easy to setup and program

Answer 17

I returned mine and just got a used hub from marketplace. I had a spare android tablet for the "remote" so I use that for everything in the theater room. I use a $20 harmony 650 for living room.  

Answer 18

Got mine off eBay for $125

Answer 19

I think it’s worth it. I use the physical remote as a second one in the room so that two of us keep one at our chair at all times. And with the hub set up I use Alexa for Turing on/off the TV / cable box, Apple TV and electric fireplace. I also use Alexa for TV volume and occasionally changing the cable box to a different channel (by channel name such as SYFY or Freeform).  

Comments

@away62949 hope It’s not a gas fireplace.  

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@quartzite lol. Nope it’s electric.  

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@away62949 kk. Automating a gas appliance is tricky  

Answer 20

@hillyerme changer for the less tech-savy. I no longer get calls asking how to do something. You want to watch TV? Press Watch TV. The amp, TV and cable box come on, the inputs switch and a menu of favorite channel icons appear on the remote. Same for all the other activities. I can't remember the last time I had to explain that the YouTube app is on the smart TV and you have to switch the inputs, etc. Now? Just click Watch YouTube. The only issue I haven't figured out is that I set a favorite channel to come on automatically when I choose Watch TV. There is no option to remove that favorite without recreating the whole Watch TV activity. Unless I'm missing something.  

Answer 21

It’s a nice remote.  

Answer 22

We have not had a problem, several years and go well.  

Answer 23

Love mine

Answer 24

Mine is awesome!  

Answer 25

It's OK as a universal remote once you spend some time configuring it. I linked mine with Google Home so I could activate modes with voice command. My main modes were Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC (hooked up to 4K TV) and sleep mode that dimmed the lights in my bedroom. The only part that wasn't a 100% reliable was the Logitech hub that often confused different devices with each other. Another problem with setup was that it had to turn off the TV to change mode, so if I went from PC to Xbox 360, it would turn off the TV, turn it back on, and change the input - this didn't always work as smoothly as it should have. Overall I would give it 3 out of 5 stars for a home theatre setup hooked up to smart home devices.  

Answer 26

Have both. Hub works good with Google home. The remote ive used 3 times in 2 years. Everything is done trough Google assistant.  

Answer 27

This is the best at the consumer DIY level.  

Answer 28

I just have the hub and I use it via Alexa for turning stuff on/off, FF the DVR, switching inputs, etc, for non-voice commands I only use my DVR/TV remote that also works my Denon 5. 1 and my Roku remote for when that's being used. In other words, I can do almost everything with just the Comcast remote, the Roku remote and Alexa. Anything more involved requires me to pick up another remote.  

Answer 29

I love mine. I’ve been using it for 2-3 years. It takes a little getting used to as far as setup goes, but well worth it

Answer 30

I have a brand new one in the box I will sell you.  

Answer 31

Didn’t they remove support for things like HomeAssistant?  

Comments

@emissivity6 home assistant works fine once setup with harmony elite

Answer 32

The remote was ok, the hub and voice control was terrible had nothing but problems with it. Thankfully i just updated my TV to a new Samsung with native Alexa support and can ditch the Harmony hub.  

Answer 33

Works a treat for me, only feature I wish it had was a built in Microphone that way I can mimic my nvidia shield. Other than that it does everything I need.  

Comments

@woodcraft yes needs a mic

Answer 34

Got one and never use it.  

Comments

@raddatz it took us 6+ months to start using it, after we lost the TV/Bose remote. Then we told Alexa to do it and finally started using the remote.  

Answer 35

I have had mine for 3 years this month. We love it. We did have to stop using all other remotes or there was problems with things with toggle switches (ie Bose). Also, we miss the microphone button for the amazon remote. Finally, I switched from the Apple to the Fire TV a couple years ago and I have been too lazy to reprogram voice features. It is time consuming, but it was nice.  

Answer 36

Personally I prefer the Harmony Ultimate but I seem to be in the minority and realistically I mostly use the HA interface and the companion remotes. Have 5 hubs.  

Answer 37

WASTE OF MONEY Search in Amazon for Smart IR. Alexa or google assistant can control your device or you can control them from ur phone or tablet

Answer 38

Can someone please provide me with a good link to understand what this device can do and what I can use it for.  

Answer 39

Honestly, it’s quite buggy. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t, I got a $15 broadlink mini that works so so much better.  

Answer 40

I've had one set up for years, works well 99% of time, occasional drop out but in general works.  

Comments

But as previously mentioned maybe not the cheapest way to do things!  

Answer 41

Totally worth it.