• expired

Logitech Harmony Smart Remote with Harmony Hub - $107.40 (40% OFF) @ Dick Smith

570

Been looking out for a deal on this for a while, the regular price is $179 and the lowest I've seen is around $118.

Why this un-screened dumb remote instead of the harmony touch you may ask?
Since you asked so nicely:
- Harmony hub included for in-cupboard use
- Harmony hub also works with PS3/4, Wii, Xbox
- Months of battery life
- Use your smartphone as a remote

Drawbacks are the lack of screen and less possible activities (up to 6)

Not saying it's definitely better, but it definitely suits my needs more.
I've been using the Harmony Touch for the past 6 months and although it's been good, this makes way more sense to me as I rarely use the screen and I was looking at buying the hub anyway ($200+!).
Extra battery life would be great as well, it ran out on me fairly often because we have some seriously lazy bastards in the house.

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

closed Comments

  • +5

    Excellent remote. Had one for about a year and love it. I went out and purchased a Harmony Touch which you can combine with this to essentially get a Harmony Ultimate, including increasing the number of supported devices. Got the Touch when it was quite low (about $80 - $90), but to be honest we tend to only use the 'dumb' remote coupled with this set given it's quicker than either the phone app or the Touch remote if the Activities are configured to do 90% of everything anyway.

  • +2

    I got one of these for xmas and they're excellent. The "dumb" remote does everything we need quickly and easily, even pairing with the HTPC for Plex. I'm fairly sure that if I'd gotten the touch screen remote my wife would have hated it.

    • Agreed. Takes too much time to get out smart phone. Love that the 'dumb' remote uses radio so you dont need to aim it, one of its best features imo. Bought this boxing day for 110 from Logitech shop.

  • Bought. Thanks OP.

  • +2

    I've got the Harmony Ultimate. Similar to this but with a largely unnecessary touch screen on the remote. (might be useful if you've got heaps of devices and activities). I can't imagine life without it. There is a bit of time configuring everything, but they've made it as easy as it can be.

    Very highly recommended. I'd say essential if you've got more than a few devices and your system running through a receiver. At this price it's a no brainer.

    Bad points: battery life on the harmony ultimate remote sucks, but you can always use your smart phone or tablet as a remote control. It used to only last a day or two between recharges, but they released a firmware update and it now lasts about two weeks.

    If you're thinking of adding the keyboard to your system with the harmony hub (this deal has one). This price is pretty good for the keyboard only, even with the stupidly high shipping. $62.67 delivered refurbished on ebay. Good to have if you've got a media pc, but can also be useful if you've got a smart TV

    • Would this work with the standard logitech keyboard (same model)?
      Or do I require the specific Harmony keyboard?

      • Needs to be a hormoney add-on keyboard to work with the harmony hub. as far as i know

  • Will this do Apple TV as well?

  • +1

    I have three of these in my house. I love being able to make changes remotely and then just sync the changes without having to plug a remote into the computer.

  • Hmm, I like the idea of this. And it does PS3 and 4 also.

    I'll do some research.

    • Are you sure about supporting PS4? I know it has bluetooth, but I cant find any mentions of it been compatible.

  • +1

    In relation to their claim about device support - even when in enclosed cabinets: for that to work does it require all those devices to support wifi / network access? If not, how does it get an IR beam into a device without direct line-of-sight?

    I'm still using the Harmony One (with PS3 add-on peripheral), but considering moving that to the bedroom and bringing this new one into the lounge.

    • +1

      There is an IR transmitter which mounts inside the cabinet.

    • +2

      The remote talks to the hub through RF. The hub is connect to your Wi-Fi router so that the phone app can talk to it. I believe the hub itself has an IR blaster and an extra IR blaster is included so that you can located it inside the cabinet to talk to any devices there. You can have up to two IR blasters as it as it has 2 IR outputs on the hub.

      So to answer your question, the devices do not have to have Wi-Fi access as they just need the IR signal from the blaster. And for your PS3, the hub can be paired with bluetooth.

    • +1

      Bounces ir signal from the wall. Seems to have very powerful ir beam. Mine has no direct line of show to any of my devices but works perfect

  • Sorry guys total noob at these harmony remotes.

    I have a theater room that has a projector, DSTB, AMP, Projector, XBO, Android Box and soon a NUC.

    Is the purpose of this device to be able to control all of these devices with the one remote?

    Is that the only advantage? because I don't see that as a huge deal, if anything just having a remote for my NUC in the future is all I will really need and I would rather an airmouse with dedicated play and fast forward buttons. are these the best recommended remotes for a NUC or is there something else?

    • +1

      Well, you can set up macros/activities to turn on multiple devices and set the appropriate settings (set them to the correct av inputs or modes etc). So if you want play your Xbone, you can set up an activity to turn on your projector, your amp and your Xbone as well as selecting the right inputs for your projector and amp so that the Xbone av signals goes to the right devices.

      Note that this model only supports up to 6 devices so it may not be enough for you.

    • +2

      I didn't think it was a huge deal until i got one. Don't even know where my original remotes are anymore.

      As siuto says, you might need the harmony ultimate given how many devices you'll have soon.

      • NUC will replace Android so I'll be good :)

        What I don't get is how does this work, the projector is above, how would the signal go to all devices simultaneously?

        and your saying if I run a macro it will tell the amp to go to the NUC with extended stereo sound or DTS sound as a separate macro how many macros can you make?

        • The IR reflects around the room, or there is additional IR blaster on a cable (under a meter long I think) to get to something not picking up properly. Try operate your projector by pointing the original remote at the screen, most will work like that standard.

  • Thanks! Just bought one! Can re-arrange my room now as won't be needing to keep surround and PS4 in sight of remote.

  • +1

    Thanks OP!! Bought one. Used the $10 from the Mates Rates email as well - down to $97.40. Collecting this evening as well! BARGAIN!

  • -1

    Pity it wasn't the harmony one. :)

  • I can see 3 buttons for Activities, Music, TV & Film (or whatever you want those icon to actually do), how do you get to the other 3 possible activities?
    I have 5 activities in common use, with my 650 there are the 3 physical buttons, and then those assigned to the LCD screen.

    • +3

      For some if not all of the buttons, you can set up short or long presses. So for those 3 activity buttons, you can assign 6 activities with the short and long presses.

      • Thanks, not ideal (ie not technophobic wife proof) but may fix an issue I have with my Nexus Player.

        Also not a huge fan of the play, f stop etc.. buttons, maybe a bit too high.
        May buy now and return if not suitable.

        • Because it's so small and thin the play etc buttons being at the top isn't too much of an issue.

          The included remote is pretty nice, touch screens are no good on remotes in my opinion. Backlit would be great but would slaughter the battery life. The phone app is handy but doesn't get used often as it's not intuitive and it takes a while to unlock a phone and launch it. Usually it's the fall back if the remote can't be found!

        • @CanadaAye:

          I have phone apps for most of my AV devices, they are rarely used as I prefer a physical one.
          I thought what you said about buttons may be the case.

  • +2

    For those interested, there's a reasonably comprehensive review here:
    http://www.cnet.com/au/products/logitech-harmony-smart-contr…

  • Anyone know if I add this to my Harmony Ultimate One if it makes it effectively a Harmony Ultimate

  • +1

    This system does eight devices and up to six activities.

    If this had six activity buttons I'd already have clicked "buy" - will ponder. Don't really need given Harmony One still going strong.

    • +1

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/185074#comment-2604220

      those three buttons can control 6 activities

    • Well with the 3 activity buttons, you can run 3 alternative activities by pressing and holding them down for longer. Or you could link a certain activity to a different button.

      Extra buttons would be awesome, but you can still control 6 activities. You probably knew that already but it may help someone else decide.

      btw… I love the remote and just bought myself a second one.

      • +1

        Thanks - yes, I'm aware of that. I suppose after a while you'll remember what's 'behind' each of those three buttons. Most people would have three main activities they use the most anyway. Will ponder more…

  • Given that Harmony One is also on SALE at DS for $149 (http://www.dicksmith.com.au/tv-video-accessories/logitech-ha…), which one makes for a better buy?

    • +1

      As I said in the OP, depends on what you need.
      If your stuff is behind a cupboard and/or you have a PS4, I'd say the harmony smart is a better buy.
      The hub alone is worth $200+ if you look around. Obviously all these points are moot if everything's out in the open

      Keep in mind the Harmony One (or harmony touch, same thing) has been much cheaper, well under $100 before.

      • The hub is king! It being RF is great if you have a complex setup with longish sequences because you don't have to point the remote at your setup until the sequence is finished.

        • The hub also connects to Philips hue bulbs

      • The hub alone is worth $200+,,,,Not true

    • Harmony One looks much better, having a screen and charger and all. Smart Control functions better as point out earlier being RF and all. Saying that I still point it at the TV, hard to break out of the habit.

    • Both have their perks, and I have what essentially amounts to both given I started out with the Smart Hub and added a Harmony Touch, which for all intents is basically an ultimate remote. If I had to pick one I'd go with the Smart Hub because

      a) The 'dumb' remote that comes with that units actually very good, and we use it far more often than the fancy remote with a display
      b) I find the iPhone app better for setting things up with
      c) Bluetooth support, which I believe is built into the hub and therefore not available on the Ultimate, which restricts usage with some consoles

      The limitation is the device one, which is largely why I added a Touch to my setup since that opens it up to 15 devices from 8, which I am at currently.

      Not a huge benefit, but if your control runs out of batteries (and the dumb remote in the smart hubs lasts a lot longer as it is), you can still use your phones app to control the setup.

  • Looks like an interesting device … I am sick of all my remote flying around.

    I have some devices in the cupboard and some outside … would this still work with the smartphone when the hub is inside? Can you still control the TV outside?
    How detailed can you get with the activities … could I start the Apple TV and select Netflix on it (or would this be a manual task afterwards)?

    • If you use the app it uses wifi to speak to the hub, so as long as you're in the network it doesn't matter where the hub is. I turn the TV on in the lounge for my daughter sometimes if I can't be bothered getting up. If your cabinet is solid wood for example, you would still need to have the IR blaster coming out from the back and up under your TV.

      I don't know how many steps can be in a sequence but you could have your TV turned on then your ATV, your TV switch to the right input, then ATV right 3 times and then ok, if tyhat's what got the app started. So the sequence will only work as long as your tiles don't move around. So short answer, yes. :)

      • Thanks a lot. Looks like it can do what I want.

        Still decided against one … 107.40 just for the convenience was still too much for me … ;-)

  • How does this compare to the upcoming harmony home control? Apart from having play pause buttons at the bottom and possible higher price?

    Perhaps its worth investigating cause the review in cnet is excellent, one star more than the smart control.

    • Can't comment on the home control itself but looks to be the same apart from the light buttons at the top, pause play buttons at the bottom would make these button more accessible. Most prob earned the extra 1 start because of this change. Personally I don't mind where the play buttons are on the smart control since I don't use them nearly as much as the volume and channel button, where these 2 are on the smart control works well.

      • The CNET review says it has dedicated buttons to control Phillips Hue and Nest Thermostats. No idea what nest thermostat is.
        It also available in white.

        I do find white would be fantastic…. Easier to find in the dark, also easier to find when on top of my coffee/Tv table/sofa.
        But harder to find if on the floor or kitchen table…

  • Does anyone know if this works with Sonos?

    • Going out on a whim but I'd say yes.

    • Yes it does. I've got it setup to start the Sonos with the music activity button. BUT… I generally just use the Sonos app in case one of my wife's songs starts playing automatically :-|

      • Thanks. I have done some googling, and discovered it does work. But not sure it does what I want.

        I'd like to be able to switch the TV on, and for the remote to also turn the Sonos speakers in the TV room to play line out. Do you know if it can do that?

        The online stuff is not that great. Appreciate it.

        • +1

          If the sonos remote can switch to line out, then the logitech can do it. You can create activities so that one push of a button will say turn on tv, soundbar, switch tv to input A, switch sound bar to input B etc.

          Switching activities will turn off whats not required for the current activity.

          everything just depends on how you set it up. It tries to auto set up most common activities for you based on what devices you have but better for you to fine tune everything afterwards. Its a once off thing so don't be put off by it because once you're done you never have to worry about it again unless you add new devices.

  • +1

    Logitech smart watch app anyone?

  • +1

    I would also like to add that the Logitech customer service is really good. When you first setup your remote, you create an account and all your settings are stored with the account in the cloud. When you need support, their customer service can look at your profile to see what devices and activities you have to start troubleshooting. Also, their online database of devices is regularly updated. I know of this personally because I used to have a macro for one of my activities and it was convoluted. Then a few months later, while setting up another activity and I realised that there are more options of my devices which allows me to modify the original activity in a much simpler way.

  • +1

    If i have XBMC running on Windows 7 over my laptop (which only has bluetooth and no IR), would this remote be able to control my laptop/XBMC?

    Edit: A quick search on the logitech forum search results gave me this. Not sure how easy it is to setup though

    • +1

      i dont have XBMC , but I have windows 8 , it can play / pause / fast forward / rewind / exit in vlc , and you can make shortcuts and put on taskbar for WIN+1 , WIN+2 etc for shut down or sleep the computer.
      however, it cannot open the file explorer etc to select which movie to watch, cos it does not have "tab" or "shift+tab" button.

      • cheers @ucccoffee! thanks for the heads up

  • Ty got 2.

    Shabe no ps4 compatibility

  • well this changes everything

  • Guys

    This can be normally had for $118 to $130 http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=logitech+sm…
    The price of $200 + is for the ultimate Uni which has screen has RF, vibration, tilt sensor (the touch does not have this)
    The Touch is NOT RF is only IR meaning comm to the hub via IR which is converted to RF/Bluetooth/wifi/IR blaster.
    The One is only IR.

    All in all this deal is a saving approximately $10

    • +1

      I thought that but I can confirm the Touch definitely has RF functionality. It is only activated when paired with a hub. I have a Touch and hub in my lounge.

      • Touch is only IR, it communicates to the hub via line of site via IR…………..then the Hub converts the IR signal to RF/BT/WF.

        • +1

          Touch when paired with the hub becomes an RF remote.Tested through two walls.So touch to hub, RF.Hub to
          devices, IR or Bluetooth.

        • Guys, read what he says. The HUB is emitting the RF. The remote is still talking to the hub in IR. Your testing proves nothing because you ARE getting RF, but it's from the hub not the remote.. your remote didn't automagically grow another sensor!

        • @justtoreply: Spot on!

        • -2

          @kiarod: Wrong , Touch = NO RF period , ….Touch…IR….HUB…..RF

        • +1

          @justtoreply:

          So you mean using a remote from two rooms away with no line of sight proves nothing because the hub automagically knows what you're doing with an IR remote? Pretty impressive if that's the case.

          I can link multiple posts discussing Touch RF capability, including from Logitech staff but here's a good one from a guy which opened up his remote because he didn't believe it:
          http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Harmony-Remotes/Touch-has-rf-c…

          And someone posting about the RF capability before it was unlocked:
          http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Harmony-Remotes/Why-is-Logitec…

          The RF will only work with a hub though, you can't just use tyhe remote without the hub to control other RF devices.

        • @rokkz: OK sorry, I'll have to tell my remote that's in another room changing the channels, that its not working.

        • @kiarod:

          No response? Perhaps they're busy eating humble pie.

        • @bxpressiv:

          Hardly. 11 hour workdays. Very interesting link! And not at all logical.

        • @bxpressiv: For future reference - I will confirm this as I have just set my Hub up today.

          Bought a Touch. Works only with IR. Bought a Hub, and went on MyHarmony and upgraded the Touch. It won't work if you go the other way (ie. upgrade Hub to add the Touch).

          MyHarmony downloaded a firmware upgrade to the Touch which among other things enable RF on the Touch. The Touch works with RF now so I don't need to point the Touch at the Hub for it to work. Or be in the same room as the Hub.

          @kiarod may be missing the step where you must upgrade the Touch for it to enable RF.

        • @ChiefAJ:

          I take it the Harmony One can't do the same via a firmware upgrade?

          http://support.logitech.com/en_us/product/harmony-one-advanc…

          Doesn't look like there's been a firmware upgrade for a long time.

        • @fookos: Pretty sure the Harmony One doesn't have RF hardware built-in so no.

    • I'd say it's more than $10 depending on whether click and collect is a viable option. I bought one not long ago and paid $134 inclusive of post. Including delivery $130 was pretty much the best you could get at the time.

      Whatever the case this is a good price for a good product that should suit many people. It's easy to setup too.

  • Thanks for the deal post. I've been considering getting a Harmony device to consolidate my remotes for the TV, receiver, Foxtel box and consoles. Time to take the leap.

  • Does this let me turn on my tv and bluray surround sound dvd thing with 1 button press?

    I can already control my HTPC running XBMC with my phone but sometimes my tv remote control will turn on my samsung tv AND my samsung bluray surround sound thing, and sometimes it will only turn on my tv. it seems to be random and it's annoying.

    • yes

  • I currently have a harmony 650…can I transfer the devices and activites I have on that to this smart remote?

    • Sure can.

      • sweet i spent ages setting it up…couldnt be bothered doing it again

  • Yeah I was surprised it simply transferred previous settings over. Very cool.

    App works on iPad which is nice, but the app is a little hard to navigate. I find pressing certain buttons will activate systems when I thought I was going into it's settings.

    I'll get used to it I guess, and I think the PS4 functionality will be here before Christmas.

    Great device.

    Thanks to the OP

  • Thanks for this OP. I picked one up. Looks promising.

    I have previously used their harmony 900 so i'm use to the Logitech way. The only thing that I didn't realise is that it has a 3V lithium button battery which will be a little annoying.

  • Emporium store cancelled my click and collect because they didn't have any… Ah DSE, what a shitty system every time

    • Well that's absolute rubbish, I was there on my lunch break today and they had at least 5 on the shelf, all wrapped up in their security tags so I highly doubt they were display boxes!

  • I just got my refund from the order canceled by DS Sydney CBD. Is this a ploy to make me sign up to DSE's spam list?

  • Yep, same here. Cancelled and refunded by DS Sydney CBD. The sales guy I spoke to said that they did a storewide stocktake last week and identified they had no stock, but by then several store pick-up orders had already been accepted. Fail system!

    The guy suggested I could try and get another store delivery pushed through on the same pricing since I had already paid, but unfortunately it got refunded before I had the chance :(

    • They're $99 at the moment on the dse website (at last check). Grabbed one last night for under $90 delivered with coupon. Glad I missed it at $107 (plus delivery).

      • Was $85 after discount on eBay over the weekend.

        • Yes - I missed that ebay deal as the price went up on the harmony in their ebay store. The following day it was then $85 through their website with coupon plus delivery (ie. my $90 paid above), so I grabbed it.

          There was no instore stock near me so I would have been paying delivery whether I went through ebay or dse website. I think I paid $89.95 or something in total.

Login or Join to leave a comment