View Full Version : Logitech 550 vs 880
Best Buy has the Logitech Harmony 550 Remote (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1042216&u2=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705469&st=harmony+550&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1138086022323) for $60. Amazon is going to have the Logitech Harmony 880 (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1042216&u2=http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B00093IIRA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227799285&sr=8-1) for $80. Is the 880 worth the extra $20?
btw, differences AFAIK are color screen and motion sensing (where the lights on the 880 come on when you pick it up)
CanesFan
11-27-2008, 08:43 AM
Don't know which one is better as I'm looking myself for one of these but...
you can get the 550 for $50 free shipping (maybe no tax) here...
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=46386&t=991615
SychoBC
11-27-2008, 08:43 AM
Best Buy has the Logitech Harmony 550 Remote (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1042216&u2=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705469&st=harmony+550&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1138086022323) for $60. Amazon is going to have the Logitech Harmony 880 (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1042216&u2=http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B00093IIRA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227799285&sr=8-1) for $80. Is the 880 worth the extra $20?
btw, differences AFAIK are color screen and motion sensing (where the lights on the 880 come on when you pick it up)
Get the 880. I've had it for 2 years and it is fantastic, the motion sensing alone is worth it.
wrymenigma
11-27-2008, 08:47 AM
I would yes for one major reason alone.
Rechargeable battery.
Although you could work around this by getting some rechargeable AAAs yourself, I have to give it to the 880. It's also rather nice to have one place where the remote stays after it is being used (charging cradle for the 880).
As far as functionality goes, I don't know if there is a huge difference. I personally got the 880 Refurbished for $70-60 (forgot how much it was) when Amazon was doing that, and been very happy with it!
Wow, now the difference is $30...
CanesFan
11-27-2008, 08:50 AM
The only thing about the 880 that I don't like is the "peanut look". I do love the charging cradle though...does the 880 battery end up being like cell phone batteries and start to have shorter life after many recharges?
Hawk2007
11-27-2008, 08:50 AM
Once you accept the fact that you're paying $80 for a remote, you'll definitely love the 880 more.
10 years ago, I would have laughed at the idea of paying $100 for a remote control for the TV. After a year of ownership, I don't know how I would do without my 880.
atistang
11-27-2008, 09:23 AM
i have a 550, and it has motion sensing. most of the time when i walk up to it, it lights up before i even reach for it
but i would say get the 880, i wish i would have
adamjt
11-27-2008, 09:33 AM
I have a 550 and ordered two 880's from amazon a month or so ago on the Gold Box deal. I ended up returning both 880's and keeping my old 550. They both have the motion sensing. The backlight behind the keys on the 550 is great, very bright. If you plan on using the 880 in a dark room, forget it, the backlight behind the keys is super dim. The backlight is so dim on the keys and you need to look at the keys to press them, as they area all hard plastic and feel the same. The 550's keys are very distinctive and i often don't even look at the remote to find the button I need. just my 2 cents!
zhelder
11-27-2008, 09:44 AM
Best Buy has the Logitech Harmony 550 Remote (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1042216&u2=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705469&st=harmony+550&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1138086022323) for $60. Amazon is going to have the Logitech Harmony 880 (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1042216&u2=http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B00093IIRA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227799285&sr=8-1) for $80. Is the 880 worth the extra $20?
btw, differences AFAIK are color screen and motion sensing (where the lights on the 880 come on when you pick it up)
Abso-Freekin-Lutely. I have two Harmony Remotes - an 880 in my living room, and a 676 in my basement (the 550 is not exactly the same, but function wise they're similar.) Both are incredible, but the 880's screen and features make it much easier to use. Plus the rechargable battery is a very important addition as well.
Get the 880. You won't be disappointed.
atistang
12-04-2008, 08:40 AM
i think i got a freak remote, no one else seems to have a 550 with motion sensing. yet mine lights up every time i walk up to it
shhaggy
12-04-2008, 08:53 AM
i think i got a freak remote, no one else seems to have a 550 with motion sensing. yet mine lights up every time i walk up to it
No, mine lights up too. The remote is compeltely off when you leave it alone for awhile (even the LCD turns off), but when you walk by it or pick it up, it 'wakes up' and the glow turns on for 15 seconds.
shhaggy
12-04-2008, 08:55 AM
I would yes for one major reason alone.
Rechargeable battery.
Although you could work around this by getting some rechargeable AAAs yourself, I have to give it to the 880. It's also rather nice to have one place where the remote stays after it is being used (charging cradle for the 880).
As far as functionality goes, I don't know if there is a huge difference. I personally got the 880 Refurbished for $70-60 (forgot how much it was) when Amazon was doing that, and been very happy with it!
Rechargeable batteries for remote controls are a dumb idea. They'll discharge on their own much faster than most remotes will use up alkaline batteries. My 550 goes 6 months easily before I need to change batteries. Rechargeable batteries never go that long between charges. The thing I don't like about the 880 with a built in rechargeable is that inevitably I'll forget to charge the thing (and I'm sure it needs to be charged at least once a week, if not more) and I'll have to wait for it to charge before I can use it.