I'm a long time Harmony remote user - this Smart Control has replaced a (mildly) malfunctioning Harmony 880 in my family, which has all components behind the wall in a closet.
I had been interested in the Ultimate along with the hub before I saw the Smart Control; I was already trying to find a way to justify the price, and after finding this option I couldn't justify spending an additional ~$200 for an added touchscreen and an IR blaster in the remote.
I'll review each component of the system.
The Hub
The hub sits on top of my component cabinet and controls all of the components flawlessly, even only a very small portion of the hub has real line-of-sight. The two IR blaster ports (2.5mm) are used to control my central sound system (fully wired connection) and my TV (direct connection to IR blaster). Setup was interesting, but migrating my settings from the previous remote made it much simpler. I had an IR receiver / emitter system in place, so I didn't necessarily need to use the included blaster, except for the fact that the ports on the back of the Hub are 2.5mm, while all of my equipment was the standard 3.5mm. Problem solved by purchasing a $3 adapter, but it would have been nice to have 3.5mm ports to use directly.
The Remote
Once installed as I wanted it, the remote is near bulletproof - this is important for me because I frequently have guests in the house who almost always had trouble using the 880, usually either because they didn't always keep it pointed at the IR receiver, or there was a line of sight issue such as someone walking in front of the remote while an activity was activating. Once the devices were "out of sync" to the remote, it was sometimes an ordeal to get it sorted, especially when I was away from the house. My 5 year old daughter never touched it. Once the 880 started acting up (rebooting randomly) I knew I needed another remote, but wanted something that would be easier for visiting guests to use. I was considering a simpler, button only "push button" remote for ease of use, but I love the harmony's customization options, which you can (generally) only find in much more expensive remotes. Enter the Smart Control.
The remote itself is very light and thin (not having any IR emitters), and even runs on a CR2032 battery (flat round battery). According to the documentation, the battery should last about a year before needing replacement. They are cheap enough, so I'd suggest buying a spare just to have around. The buttons are well laid out, and one can easily operated it without having to glance at it too much. It feels FANTASTIC in the hand, with a glossy front and a pleasantly rough back, and a gentle curve that makes the remote feel like it's spooning with your hand.
There are only three physical "activity" buttons, but actually six can be used - long presses on these keys can trigger completely separate activities. This should be enough for most users. Additionally, (and something I haven't seen mentioned in many reviews), not only do you have the long-press options for the activities keys, but nearly every key on the remote can have a separate long-press option, and this setting is per activity. For example, my central sound system has some quirks that make it switch to a different input - rather than having to leave the activity and go back in, I just set the long-press on the mute key to switch back to the correct input (based on whatever activity I'm using). I've also go the DVR button doubling as a LIVE TV button when in the TV activity. I'm probably only scratching the surface in this regard. Some of the keys are unavailable for long-press options, though. There is one area where this is a double-edged sword - the SKIP FWD / FFWD and REPLAY / REW buttons are one and the same. I was forced to choose long presses for the SKIP options. Since my wife and most of my guest generally use FWD and REW, I decided I'd have to use long press rather than make everyone else suffer with it.
One more note regarding long presses - there isn't any feedback once you've held a button long enough. In other words, you don't necessarily know you've pressed the button long enough to register as a SKIP, rather than FFWD or REW, until something happens on screen. Likewise with the activities buttons. I'd like to maybe hear a beep or get a gentle vibration in the remote, thought that might drain the battery much more quickly.
The Included IR blaster
I only used it for a day or two while I waited for my adapter, but had no issues here. The blaster itself a bit big, but it's meant to sit separate from the Hub and control one or more devices at a distance, so that's not too much of a gripe. I have another TV setup where I'll need two of them, so when I buy my next Smart Control I'll have the extra ready and waiting.
The App (Android version)
The app is an added bonus; I rarely use it, and when I do it's usually to do one of three things:
1. Fix a rare component state or input selection issue
2. Take an action when I can't find (or am not the one holding) the physical remote
3. Control the TV from another room [such as when my 5-year-old daughter accidentally changes the channel or mode]
For these purposes, the app works well enough, although it is very "clunky," for lack of a better word. If I had only the hub and my phone to control the TV, I would probably give up and return the device - it's nigh unusable for everyday use.
However, it does connect within seconds and button presses respond quickly - almost as quickly as using a regular old IR remote, which is an achievement. If the developers would hire a designer to make the app better looking and easier to use and customize, it would be a home run.
When you customize the buttons in the app, these settings are only for YOUR device. Another device can have a completely different layout and still use the same Hub, which is nice, especially if you use a tablet.
Pros
1. Long-press options on nearly every key on the device, per activity
2. Remote feels great in the hand
3. Relatively easy setup
4. Anyone can pick up the remote and begin using it naturally
5. Although not ready for prime time, the mobile app is useful in some ways.
Cons
1. 2.5mm ports for IR blasters
2. Long presses have no feedback
3. Maximum number of components is 8 - while most people shouldn't run into an issue here, it would be nice to support a few more devices, as this limit seems arbitrary in order to make the "Ultimate" look more attractive with 15 components. Since I migrated from an existing regular Harmony remote, I was able to circumvent this limit (which the software continues to remind me every time I edit the devices).
Final Verdict
I don't think the cons are bad enough to warrant removing a star from the rating - they can all be worked around in one way or another, and are minor limitations in my view. I think the fact that my five year old daughter can operate a system that contains 10 different components speaks volumes for ease of use. A powerful solution (Harmony Hub) with an almost frighteningly simple mode of operation (Smart Control remote) makes for a winning combination. I plan to buy two more of these for other rooms in the house. What better endorsement for a product can one give?
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This Item  Logitech Harmony Smart Control with Smartphone App and Simple All in One Remote - Black |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $131.00 | $323.99 | $259.99 | $283.99 | $248.99 |
| Delivery | Get it May 20 - 23 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Volume control | |||||
| Remote Control | |||||
| Touch Screen | |||||
| Quality of material | |||||
| Battery life | |||||
| Sold By | FDBV Corporate Group | Deals24n7 | Deals24n7 | Deals24n7 | Western Central |
| compatible devices | iPhone, Television, Streaming Device | Television | DVD/Blu-ray Player | Television | — |
| connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared |
| maximum range | 10 feet | 100 feet | 50 feet | 10 meters | — |
| style | New | New | Accessories | — | — |
| battery quantity | 1 cr2, 1 lithium polymer, 1 a, 2 aa, 1 lithium ion, 1 product specific | 1 aa, 1 product specific | 1 lithium polymer, 2 aaa, 2 aa, 1 lithium ion | 2 aa, 1 product specific | — |
| model number | 915-000194 | 915-000201 | 915-000159 | 915-000293 | 915-000279 |
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Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon impact
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were measured, reduced and offset.
As certified by
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services enables companies to demonstrate carbon neutrality for their products by reducing carbon emissions throughout their operations and offsetting their remaining carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
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Reviews with images
Pretty Powerful Control System For The Price
This could end up being a lengthy review. I have a few things to say about this system.To start, this system does not seem to have 5G capability. When trying to do the initial setup using my iPad I had to switch the iPad from me network’s 5G band to the 2.4G band. Once I did that, the setup went pretty well. And interestingly, AFTER it has been set up, it appears you can switch everything back to 5G and the Harmony Hub still is able to control everything. Still not sure why everything had to be on the 2.4G band for the initial setup.Also, as mentioned by others, the remote is not backlit. If you watch tv with some light, you can see the controls; but in a completely dark room it might be difficult to see.That said, there is a lot to like in this system. Particularly given the recent price level of under $60.Home entertainment systems can be quite complex. And no two are probably alike. So while this device worked well for me, I can at least understand why others might have had problems. My system is relatively simple. I have a tv, a blue ray dvd, an a/v receiver, a Roku streaming stick+, and a Microsoft Zune MP3 player (with a docking station). The Harmony system recognized and was able to control all of these devices.The initial setup was pretty painless (other than the 2.4G versus 5G issue already mentioned) and it was done in less than an hour. It helped that I have used Harmony products before and I am familiar with their approach and terminology.My components are all housed in a cabinet with glass doors. The tv sits on top of the cabinet. All components are IR controlled, except the Roku. I was worried about the placement of the hub, but I simply put it on top of the cabinet and it was able to control all the components (without even the need to use the included IR blaster). It might have worked just as well inside the cabinet, but I never bothered to try (why mess with success?).Understand I don’t have any gaming systems, sound bars, or other such peripherals. So your mileage may vary. But I am quite pleased with this system. I paid over $100 for an IR only universal remote in the past. This is more powerful, and 40% cheaper. Although granted the included remote does not have a backlight, or a screen with customizable commands. You can customize this remote (which I have done), but the keys are not labeled.For example, I use my Roku to listen to Pandora. However, after starting it and selecting a channel, I like to turn off (just) the TV. The power button on the remote would turn everything off. Therefore, I assigned the TVs power toggle function to one of the unused keys on the remote (the red dash). It works fine. Push it and the tv goes off. Push it again and tv goes back on. But I’m the only who knows which key does that.In the end, I gave this system 5 stars. Were I able to, I probably would have given it 4.5. It’s not perfect. But it is an excellent system, and made even more so by the $60 price. The Harmony Companion sells for around $125, and I’d be very hard pressed to imagine what it could do that this system doesn’t do. (Within the limitations of 8 devices and 6 activities inherent in this system.)
Top reviews from other countries
Gaston B.
Han mejorado mucho respecto de modelos anteriores
Reviewed in Mexico on October 16, 2017Pat Gahagan
Great control. minor issue during initial setup
Reviewed in Canada on December 12, 2018Sridhar Katneni
Good but Harmony Ultimate or Elite would be a better purchase,
Reviewed in India on June 18, 2018
