My Simple Harmony 520 Review - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

smp01 · 2005-12-05, 10:59 AM

I've had the 520 for about a week now.

It does everything it claims it is supposed to do. It can do all of the command I need for all of the remotes I have.

I have
RCA TV
Sanyo Projector (Z3)
Pioneer DVD Player
StarChoice 530
Pioneer Home theatre in a box.

Sometimes I watch the TV, other times I watch the projector. Sometimes I just want to listen to the music stations on StarChoice (no TV required), and of course DVD on either the TV or projector. I have activities to address all of these activities. I even have an activities to tune to the TheFAN590 radio station on just the press of one button.

It takes a little while to figure out just how the web site is configured. But once you get past that part, it is straight forward. Took me most of the afternoon, but I only have dialup and learning how to use the website. If I were to start over again, It would take less than an hour to set up your new remote from scratch.

My review so far could apply to any of the 500/600/800 series of Harmony remotes as the programing for these is basically the same.

I bought the remote online, never having actually seen one in my hands. I bought it for the price and looks and the buttons that seems to work well with my 530 which I use most of the time.

The 520 does feel good in the hands. It is balanced well. But there are 2 things I don't care for. I find the number buttons (0-9) too small and hitting 5 or 8 key is tricky becuase they are in the middle. The volume and channel up/down buttons are big enough but they are too flat. I prefer a more of a response to indicate that my thumb is actually on a button. I wish all of the buttons were the same as the DVD transport buttons.

If I were to do it again, I would spend the extra money and get a 680 or 676.

I might put it up for sale. PM me if your interested.

smp01 · 2005-12-23, 11:58 PM

Well, I have since sold my 520 and purchased a 680.

The buttons feel better and the LCD is easy to read and brighter.

The 680 is a keeper.

Enough said.

2005-12-05, 10:59 AM	#1
smp01 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muskoka, Ontario Posts: 753	My Simple Harmony 520 Review I've had the 520 for about a week now. It does everything it claims it is supposed to do. It can do all of the command I need for all of the remotes I have. I have RCA TV Sanyo Projector (Z3) Pioneer DVD Player StarChoice 530 Pioneer Home theatre in a box. Sometimes I watch the TV, other times I watch the projector. Sometimes I just want to listen to the music stations on StarChoice (no TV required), and of course DVD on either the TV or projector. I have activities to address all of these activities. I even have an activities to tune to the TheFAN590 radio station on just the press of one button. It takes a little while to figure out just how the web site is configured. But once you get past that part, it is straight forward. Took me most of the afternoon, but I only have dialup and learning how to use the website. If I were to start over again, It would take less than an hour to set up your new remote from scratch. My review so far could apply to any of the 500/600/800 series of Harmony remotes as the programing for these is basically the same. I bought the remote online, never having actually seen one in my hands. I bought it for the price and looks and the buttons that seems to work well with my 530 which I use most of the time. The 520 does feel good in the hands. It is balanced well. But there are 2 things I don't care for. I find the number buttons (0-9) too small and hitting 5 or 8 key is tricky becuase they are in the middle. The volume and channel up/down buttons are big enough but they are too flat. I prefer a more of a response to indicate that my thumb is actually on a button. I wish all of the buttons were the same as the DVD transport buttons. If I were to do it again, I would spend the extra money and get a 680 or 676. I might put it up for sale. PM me if your interested.

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2005-12-23, 11:58 PM	#2
smp01 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muskoka, Ontario Posts: 753	Well, I have since sold my 520 and purchased a 680. The buttons feel better and the LCD is easy to read and brighter. The 680 is a keeper. Enough said.