We've long been fans of Logitech's Harmony line of universal remote controls. As good as they are, however, there's still a large segment of the population who just won't pay iPod prices -- more than AU$400 -- for a remote. It's precisely that audience at whom the Logitech Harmony 520 is targeted. At AU$179.95, it's the most affordable Harmony to date.
The Logitech Harmony 520 may be an entry-level Harmony, but it's still one of the sleeker universal remotes around. It measures 210mm long, 51mm wide, and 19mm at its deepest. It has a slim and straight design, which we prefer to the skinny-in-the-middle-fat-on-the-ends shape that other Harmony remotes have adopted. The 520's black-and-silver cosmetics look more ho-hum compared to other Harmony models, but the 520 has an elegance to it that makes it appear more expensive than it really is.
The Logitech Harmony 520 crams a good number of buttons onto its modest frame, including a complete numeric keypad, a four-way directional pad and full playback transport controls. However, the functional highlight of the 520 is the LED display. Flanked by four programmable keys that you can label differently on separate pages, it allows the Harmony to emulate even the most esoteric buttons as well as engage activities and macros.
The Harmony 520 uses four AAA batteries. With the energy-sapping neon-blue backlight left on -- completely on purpose, we might add -- it ran for a little more than a week. While that's an extreme case, it highlights one of the remote's biggest flaws; it really could have benefited from a recharger dock such as the one found on its big brother, the Logitech Harmony 880. Instead, you'll probably want to invest in a set of third-party rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
As with all Harmony remotes, you add your devices and set up activities using either a computer-based or Web-based interface (the remote is both Windows and Mac-compatible). All Harmony remotes boasts compatibility with more than 100,000 devices, and when we fired up the software and scrolled through the company list, we didn't see any reason to argue that bullet point. The scope can be a bit daunting for beginners, since there are a few dozen component types listed, such as TV, A/V receiver and DVD player, and hundreds of manufacturers within each one of those. Thankfully, the software is pretty forgiving, and as long as you have the company name and model number, it should be able to cull the commands for your product. That said, if you have a complicated setup, chances are you'll end up calling into Logitech's customer service department for advice. The folks there are good at helping you fix things, though we did run into an issue where we couldn't sync due to a Java error and ended up having to go through the irritation of removing and redoing an activity to update the remote. In other words, the software isn't perfect. On the brighter side, Logitech does offer regular updates for both the remote's firmware and its PC-based software.
All told, we tested roughly 25 components -- TVs, A/V receivers, DVD players, video game consoles, cable boxes, and home-stereo systems -- and we could not find a remote-enabled product that was not listed or would not work once we uploaded the profile to the remote. It can hold a maximum of 12 devices in its memory, which should be plenty for any one entertainment centre.
Along with the ability to control devices individually, the remote includes the Activities function that we liked so much in previous Logitech Harmony remotes. In essence, it allows the 520 to control different components simultaneously, and it works more intuitively than a standard device-centred remote. For example, you can program a Watch DVD activity that turns on your TV, A/V receiver, DVD player, and speaker system; sets them all to the correct channels or inputs; and even starts playing the DVD. While the movie is playing, the controls you designate will "punch through" to the appropriate device: the DVD controls and the numerical keypad to control the DVD, the volume up/down buttons to control the speakers, and the power button to turn the whole thing off in one fell swoop. With a little care, we were able to get all of the important functions incorporated into the activities that we programmed; for those that we missed, we simply toggled back to the Component Control mode.
As far as PC-programmable universal remotes go, the Logitech Harmony 520 is an impressive bargain, given its AU$180 price tag. From a design standpoint, it's much better than the majority of the remotes on the market. Its functionality is top-notch as well, and we found its ergonomics to be an improvement over the more expensive Harmony 880.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Dan2184
08/08/2008, 12:47 PM
rating
9/10
Great remote does everything that I expected. Still need to program my projector and screen on it but still works great with my plasma, foxtel, dvd recorder, surround sound, amp and so on and so on
Pros: Easy to use (made my home theatre setup easier for my girlfriend to use)
Cons: Doesnt work with my ps3
Report offensive comment
kiwilittleg
26/01/2008, 10:42 PM
rating
3/10
Not totally impressed with the device - it does a lot of things in a very mediochre way... just don't expect too much.
The web based interface expects the devices to be made in a certain way and any deviation from that will only make life difficult and the setup next to impossible to manage.
The set-up process asks what devices are used for specific operations like adjusting the volume but to change the volume it's still necessary to switch to that device.
Help from Logitech is non-existant and while it works, I still haven't thrown out the original remotes!
Overall great concept but fails in the delivery.
Pros: *sleek design
Cons: *pre-defined structure for operation and set-up of functions
*small screen
*blue backlight doesn't stay on long enough and the screen is difficult to read
Report offensive comment
robmk2
13/01/2008, 02:08 PM
rating
2/10
If you are thinking about buying one... don't do it! Absolutely painful interface, poorly laid out, slow and very inflexible. Logitech think they are being oh so clever in attempting to take out the guesswork... but to say that they have failed would be an understatement! An entirely frustrating waste of time and money. Get something that is fully customisable and doesnt assume that you are a complete moron! I bought one due to the good rating on cnet - big mistake.
Pros: Sleek looking
Cons: Very inflexible! Hard to read buttons. Painful software interface... etc etc. Save yourself - dont buy one.
Report offensive comment
jsaiful
28/10/2007, 07:47 PM
rating
7/10
Recently bought one, not immediately impressed though
Pros: Easy to program, Clear instructions
Cons: Flimsy built, squeeks a lot
Report offensive comment
David Ternit
21/02/2007, 04:08 PM
rating
10/10
This remote is the best I have ever owned.
It does everything I want it to do and more.
I am so impressed by it that I bought one for mum as well and she has thanked me upteen times.
People who are very critical of this remot... see below .. I have a meaage for you.
"A poor tradesman always blames his tools."
Pros: Easy to use and programme.
Love the usb functionality.
Best remote on the market for the money.
Cons: People who berate this great product because they struggle with logic.
Report offensive comment
Peter Pan
20/02/2007, 06:50 AM
rating
10/10
Excellent remote.
Easy to set up and love all its functionality
Pros: Best bang for your buck a steal.
Cons: People who bag this remote because they lack skills to understand simple technology.
Report offensive comment
outdoorliving
04/02/2007, 12:16 PM
rating
2/10
I can see what this remote is trying to do, which is admirable. Trouble is, it doesn't match the functionality of the original remote. I tried and tried to set this up properly, but even the custom configurations didn't help. It just won't go to different inputs (VCR, DVD). The Help button on the remote is next to useless. Many of the online setup questions don't relate to the setup situation. Some custom setup operations cause glitches in other operations. After 8 hours I gave up. Logitech email support is non-existent. I'll be returning this dud for a refund.
Pros: Admirable intentions - aims to control a variety of components via a single activity
Cons: Fails miserably. If you've got a home theatre, and several components, forget it. My old Total Control URC worked better than this with far less aggravation.
Report offensive comment
outdoorliving
04/02/2007, 12:11 PM
rating
2/10
I can see what this remote is trying to do, which is admirable. Trouble is, it doesn't match the functionality of the original remote. I tried and tried to set this up properly, but even the custom configurations didn't help. It just won't go to different inputs (VCR, DVD). The Help button on the remote is next to useless. Many of the online setup questions don't relate to the setup situation. Some custom setup operations cause glitches in other operations. After 8 hours I gave up. Logitech email support is non-existent. I'll be returning this dud for a refund.
Pros: Admirable intentions - aims to control a variety of components via a single activity
Cons: Fails miserably. If you've got a home theatre, and several components, forget it. My old Total Control URC worked better than this with far less aggravation.
Report offensive comment
Bronze
06/01/2007, 06:48 PM
rating
8/10
Controlling TV, Stereo, DVD player, DVD recorder and MCE box. Took a bit of setting up (about 4 or so hours) and some custom configuration but got there in the end. Leaves my old "universal" for dead. Confused my TV with a similar model.
Pros: Web interface is good, but requires some thinking to get everything right. A detailed flowchart would be helpful.
Cons: Too complex for my parents (my standard measuring stick) and I doubt a visitor could work it out if they pressed a wrong button.
Report offensive comment
Scooz
30/12/2006, 11:16 AM
rating
7/10
Overall very good, some glitches won't select the correct TV input. My tv remembers the last setting when turned off and toggles through inputs via one button on the original remote. Easily fixed by adding a "next input" button to each activity so it can be changed manually, 2 button use instead of 1 no big deal. Big problem with ADSL connection via a router, several people I know have had the same problem. Worked fine on dial up , go figure.
Pros: Excellent data base for products, even found my media gate, Good phone support, web based Wizzard easy to use, Intuitive "help" button on the remote to fix glitches.
Cons: ADSL via a router won't connect or times out frequently, no issues on dial up. (Net-Gear & Belkin routers so far). For an expensive remote it's a bit plastic and cheap build, small buttons and screen display,
Report offensive comment