Logitech Harmony 650

This product shows real thought and engineering – I have two Logitech Harmony 700 remotes, purchased years ago. Both are still used for their original purpose and when I went to buy a third for a new home theatre in another room I learned they aren't available anymore; replaced by the Logitech Harmony 650 I'm reviewing. As far as I can tell, except from the colour (silver instead of black) it… Read more

is identical to the Harmony 700, and also that instead of being rechargeable by USB cable the 650 uses replaceable batteries.

Well, I say "uses replaceable batteries", but after a year of daily use I've yet to require new ones.

This Harmony 650 replaces six other remotes: TV, Foxtel box, DVD recorder, Oppo player, amplifier, and a pedestal fan. The Logitech programming interface is a thing of beauty. When you twig to how it works - didn't take me long and I'm not that bright - it is not only quite intuitive but very flexible in what it allows you to do with the Harmony 650 remote.

The only complaint I have is actually with one of my older Harmony 700s. One of the hard buttons doesn't work so well now, requiring multiple presses to work. But that is with a Harmony 700 I've had for 10 years. Maybe Logitech have fixed that issue in the presumably updated Harmony 650.

EDIT April 2019: I should also say that Logitech's Harmony 650 can be used for a Foxtel iQ4K box. While the supplied Foxtel remote is Bluetooth - and the 650 is IR only - the iQ4K will receive IR commands in line-of-sight. When you are adding a device in the MyHarmony software, select 'Foxtel' then 'iQ4'. Works perfectly (actually I think better than the Foxtel remote).

It's cheap and barely functional – Let's start by saying that the remote for our Samsung UNH6400 TV got rave reviews from those that used it. But we hated it. We have a black leather lounge and because of the Samsung remote's size and shape, we were constantly losing it. So I decided enough was enough and went looking for a universal remote to replace it. I liked the idea of the… Read more

Logitech Harmony range, especially those with the little LCD screens (I'm a sucker for technology). I wasn't prepared to spend the $260+ for the Harmony Elite or Harmony Ultimate One, but the Harmony 650 seemed like a pretty good deal at $70. It did all I needed it to, had an LCD screen and was very affordable. So off to Officeworks I went.

When I got it home I set to work straight away. The setup required you downloading the MyHarmony app (Windows or Mac) and using the supplied USB cable to connect the remote. The MyHarmony provides access to a sizeable database of devices you can configure. Finding the right model, the process is as simple as selecting the device and mapping a few few key commands to buttons on the remote and then synching via the USB cable.

While I found it relatively straight forward to identify the devices and get things working, others have not been so lucky. Like other USB devices (e.g. mobile phones), getting your computer to recognise drivers can be somewhat challenging to resolve.

I also found that the instructions for creating more complicated scripted events were very limited. For example, I have a media server app setup on my TV (accessed via the Samsung Smart Hub). I wanted to assign a script to the Harmony 650's "Watch a Movie" button. This involved mapping the coloured Samsung Smart Hub button, then scripting a click of the centre button (to select the media server app). I worked it out, but the sequence of events to get the whole script mapped to a button was a little confusing and definitely could have been better explained.

Using the remote, I have noticed that the commands are almost always delayed. Often I'll use the volume buttons and will give it "a bit too much" as I don't see any response on screen. When the remote does finally change the volume, it either takes it all the way down or up and is remarkably (too much so) sensitive. The remote frequently fails to do anything when a button is pressed. This is not always programmable buttons either, rather basic functions like volume or power. I've also read stories of the buttons ceasing to function after a while, so fingers crossed I get a few years out of the device at least. But I'm already unimpressed and we've pretty much given up and gone back to the Samsung remote.

Great Device - Buttons die over time but can be fixed – I purchased 2 Logitech Harmony 650 remotes back in 2013. Functionality wise, its fantastic, easily programmed from a vast library on the Logitech portal or by just pointing old remotes at it and have it learn the codes. After 4 years, the "button failures" commonly experienced by others, are now being experienced. This button failure seems to be… Read more

limited to the buttons that use the rubber based tactile surface, of which there are 37. The buttons that use a metal based tactile function, of which there are 13 - navigation keys - are all functioning. Will get to how to fix the rubber buttons later in the review.

What I like about this remote is its user interface. The button layout, colour screen menu and feedback make it easy to operate, read and understand. The buttons are backlit and screen is "very legible" even when misplacing my 1.5x reading glasses. It can be used to control up to 5 devices, as if you are controlling one (i.e. controlling volume from the surround system, display controls of the LED TV, source content from the Play Station or from multiple streaming devices, I could go on, as if they are the one device, like powering them all on and off with the touch of one button). Its like conducting a symphony of devices with the one baton. Most importantly, everyone in the family was able to use it, without significant instruction.

Logitech offer a one year warranty, I got four years from the one device until experiencing button failure, given its price at the time ($55 in 2013, now $78 in 2018), it is excellent value.

I bought 2 in case one failed, as I liked the UI and was willing to take the risk of both failing given the price and given my Logitech experience, which has often been a good one. I was not disappointed, I was going to use the second device as a donor, but it was unnecessary, as I was able to obtain new tactile rubber contacts off the internet that use a different coated surface to the original, which appears to have solved the problem. The current "repaired" remote has operated for another year without further issues, no buttons have failed.

I would highly recommend this remote to anyone in the market, its relatively small, fits the hand readily so it can be balanced with drinks and food, the smaller screen is bright and easy to read, and by the screen being small, translated to longer battery life - battery (2xAA) changed once per year with relatively heavy use.

What I really liked, is that when I experienced the button problem, I was able to strip down the device and fix it, without breaking any components. The remote is assembled extremely well, even if some of the parts (i.e. rubber buttons) were of an inferior make. There's a lot of data on this on the Internet, search "Harmony 650 repair" explain the fix, basically what worked for me was removing the battery cover, the batteries and then the four screws inside the battery compartment. There are two screws underneath the backing strip of the IR cover, all are easily removed with a 00 Philips head. Then, using a spludger or guitar pick, separate the front and back cover. I suggest you start using the pick from the bottom edge of the device and slowly work around the edge to release the plastic tensile clips. The remote readily separates into five parts, front cover, top and bottom keypads, PCB with tactile contact points and the back cover. The fix only requires you to work with the PCB, clean the circuit tactile points on the PCB with a bud dipped in 90% alcohol solution. I purchased new tactile inserts - search "ButtonWorx Individual Button Repair" on the internet to obtain the tactile insert kit - which is placed between the white reflective sticker and the plastic reflective plate. Peel back the sticker from the reflective plate at the front of the PCB. Place the tactile inserts over the instructed holes on the PCB, within the plastic reflective plate. Put back the reflective sticker and re-sandwich the 5 components (covers, buttons, PCB), Then reinsert/tighten the screws and finally re-apply the plastic strip in the IR cover, reinsert the batteries and battery cover. It should operate like new.

(NB: Without the kit, others have attempted to add graphite or thermal paste to the rear of the buttons, or the PCB contact points, this fix does not last long).

Absolutely fantastic! – I recently discovered that Logitech were no longer making remotes although the Harmony software will continue to be updated. Anyway, I decided to read the reviews for this product and was astonished about the amount of negative reviews. I purchased my Harmony 650 in 2006 and it still performs as well as the day I purchased, it's been that long I… Read more

cannot remember how much I paid or where I purchased. They can still be purchase new for around AU$330 on eBay and I would highly recommend. It has a motion sensor, so when you pick it up the back lighting activates, colour screen and batteries last around 2 years or more. I operate 4 devices for my home theatre including Windows PC, UHD Blue Ray, Rotel receiver, and CD player.

Works well, good value – Worked really well, all my devices can be controlled with it, even a really dodgy HDMI splitter I got from eBay. The learning feature is really handy, and the ability to program in functions that do multiple commands is really useful. The only thing it didn’t work with is my nVidia Shield Show details

No issues so far! – I bought this as I have a collection of Hifi systems and some of them don't have the remotes anymore. One in particular you actually can only control it by a remote so I decided to give this a go and see if it would work. Needless to say, with such an advanced remote, you do need a PC to set it up, this was no issue for me as I already knew that.… Read more

I have set up everything I need to and it all seems to be working fine. 5 months in and I still am yet to have to change batteries, having said that this gets very little use.

I am a fanboy of Logitech Speakers and computer components and in all honesty, I am of the remote too. The build quality seems quite strong however being more computerised than a normal remote I would think that this would not be as durable as a standard remote. I'm very careful with my stuff and I have a child-free home so no worry of impact or drops causing issues with this remote.

piece of crap – in essence Logitech harmony remotes are great, but each and everyone of them that't I've owned shows they last for all of 2 years at an absolute max, while all the frequently used buttons simply die and stop responding at all. What a piece of crap for the price you pay and my current is specifically the 650 and none of the most important buttons work anymore, stopped within 1.5years. Still try to use it as best I can. Show details

i was recommended to buy a logitech harmoney remote control – but they dont tell you you need windows or mac operating system to set it up....which i dont have so its useless! Very frustrating as the new unprogramable device is useless

Fails after about 12 months use – I have had two of these remotes so far. They are quite easy to set up and work really well - for about 12 months. Once the product it out of warranty the buttons start to be none responsive starting with the most used buttons. Something inside is obviously not designed for the use it gets. Show details

Shocking battery life – We've had this about a month and we were away 7 days of that month...have had to replace the batteries 3 times. It constantly forgets settings when it's not draining batteries. I'd love to know what the difference is between the remote that I've been lumped with and the one from the guy on here who says he's not changed the batteries for a year...… Read more

even Logitech said "it should last 3 weeks" like that's acceptable? Great concept ...and when it DOES work it's good..but the battery life issue is terrible and having to troubleshoot settings every third go is not.

Dogs Breakfast – The booklet supplied says set aside at least 45mins to set it up, a total of around 20 hours later I get it to work to suit me, still got a few bits to do. It does work quite well if you have the patience and persistence to achieve acceptable operation. Their help desk is rubbish, mainly concerned with Logitech protocols etc, calling for Ser No… Read more

when the thing doesn't have any. Sadly there doesn't seem to be any viable competition so we are stuck but if ever there was an example of corporate bullying for profit its got to be one of these. How many are made I wonder and the set up process/support is rubbish. Come on China lets see an alternative.

if i could take back changing over I would – Absolute rubbish. Randomly takes over my Air conditioning and there is no way to remove it from the remote or reset the remote. Do not buy this product. Avoid at all costs.

Terrible universal remote – Almost always never works correctly have to go to the help button almost every single time to get it to work the way it should. Would highly recommend another model as this one has failed on me 4 times with the store just replacing it with a new one.

I don’t write reviews. This remote has forced my hand! – Runs out of batteries because it never turns off. constantly asks you to press 8 main buttons before you can use it. Make sure you are not a robot! Worst!

Easy to replace Umpteen remotes & batteries – Bought the first of these in Apr '17, easy to setup, replaced 5 remotes and the assorted batteries they used which was a cost saving in itself. Got another in Jan '18 as we were getting some new equipment and used that to set everything up. We use rechargeable batteries and they work a treat in the device so no need to stock heaps of spares. It is… Read more

so easy with the MyHarmony program for Windows to get device codes, create activities, add any additional codes from a remote. Once you setup an activity then you can see the Logic in their Tech !!! Strong signal to control all your IR devices, Easy to Setup, Simple to Use and best of all Good Value so it is Highly Recommended.

Shares in Duracell? – Terrible. Goes through batteries every couple of weeks. Doesn’t turn off it seems. You need to explain the use of it to any visitors As it is very different to other universal remotes. Buttons stopped working but I didn’t try and fix. Can’t get rid of it quick enough to be honest.

I hoped it would last to at least 5 years – My first 650 remote had problems with the PC setup , I eventually used a different USB cable & it worked ok . I took it to back for a replacement cable & Office works required the whole package (including remote) for replacement . The second remote worked flawlessly for 3 years. The most used (forward) button is now playing up , I have no… Read more

hesitation about using another 650 as I have the buttons programmed & saved in my PC . A nice quick plug in - update - use as normal operation. Its just a pity it doesn't last to at least 5 years. BTW Office Works is the best price .

Worked perfectly! – Does the job and not complicated at all. Not sure what all the fuss is about in relation to it being tricky to set up... just read the instructions... took me 5 minutes and I have average/normal IT skills. Recommended !

Logitech Harmony 650 Model 1713404 – Always have had good experience with Logitech. Software setup is complicated. YOU Need to be, VERY tech savvy, who has lots of luck. Once you have made a mistake, it's there forever. Even uninstalling does not work, you have to use third party software to completely remove. Company support is ZERO, only support is computer auto responders, and… Read more

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Download user manual, is as good as man BOOBs.

I am really sorry I bought/wasted my money. I definitely don't recommend,

I like it. It replaced everyhing – It reconfigured our TV, set top box, foxtel etc using the app. No problem at all. There seems to be a button equivalent for eveything the original remotes had, and if it doesn't the context sensitive buttons around the screen will get you to that obscure menu you need to get to. The only weird bit is getting used to whether you are adjusting the… Read more

volume on the telly or on the set top box. It takes practice to get used to that.

I like the function buttons "watch tv", "watch movie" etc. Very easy way to get everything to turn on.

Not sure why someoen complained about battery life... the screen detects movement so turns off to save power and we haven't had to change the batteries yet, after 6 months.

Logitech 650 do not whole up under normal use – Logitech 650 is a good remote when it works. This us my third and last remote I will purchase. These rremote do not last. They fail within two years after purchasing. Logitech don't seem to care

Unreliable after a while – Worked great for a few months, easy to program also. But now it is constantly not activating all appliances, have to use the Help button all the time to turn on or off individual appliances.

If you have Foxtel and an AV receiver this is a must have – For the price this surprised me. It works. You use a computer to program the remote then connect via usb to sync the configuration. This one remote replaced 3 remotes I was using. I have removed the batteries from those 3 and stored them away so there is less living room clutter. Buttons feel good and are more responsive than the Foxtel IQ… Read more

remote and both Sony remotes. Remote has backlighting and wakes when you pick it up. Not sure of the battery life but takes 2 double AA batteries, would have been nice if this remote was rechargeable as it has a usb connector however this would add to the price.

If you have more than 2 devices I would highly recommend this.

However some new TV's (Google Android, AppleTV, YouTube) feature voice control/voice recognition and this is missing as the remote is simply IR.

Easy – I’ve had this remote for about 1 year now and still going strong. I control 4 different devices with this. Highly recommend it and the price is great for what it can do .

easy to program remote – This is the second Logitec Harmony 650 we have used in the household. Once programmed it works all parts of the home theater system very well and is a great controller for "Dummies" with the ability to program specific tasks like watch TV or watch a movie with one button press. Programming was as easy as downloading the saved file for the 650… Read more

via the USB from the computer.

The Help function is good if one part of the system hasn't responded to an action.

It is comfortable to use and fits the hand nicely and responds well to button presses when new..

The previous 650 developed the same problem with the tactile buttons unresponsive by losing their conductive coating as has been experienced by other people in the reviews. This happened after 2 1/2 years of use rendering it useless.

Normally pulling it apart and recoating the rubber buttons with graphite solves the problem with tactile switches and it did for another three months but then the same problem Next time the switches were coated with a silver circuit board paste and that worked for another three months before the silver decamped from the rubber.

Now the first 650 sits as a parts donor for #2 when it dies.

Tactile switches are used in most of the control functions where as the ok and directional buttons use metallic switches, a much better switch.all round. Maybe the tactile switches are built in planned obsolescence.

The number buttons and screen control buttons use tactile switches which are used more often than the buttons that have the metallic switches so they will fail sooner.

Shame a good controller is failed by poor quality coatings on rubber switches.

It is to be hoped that this replacement model does not suffer the same fate in the same time period or that if it does fail it is in the warranty period or that Logitec have upgraded the switch coating to give more life especially when the number buttons are used often.

Would I buy another, probably, providing we get good service out of this second controller.

poor build quality – Bought one a few years ago, kept on getting a white screen, so you had to keep the batteries out, and put them back in again to get it to work. Got the run around from customer service. So I stopped using it. Got it out other day won't work at all now. stripped it down (I am a retired electronics engineer) and found it had cracks in the glass where the flexible cable connects to the screen. Obvious manufacturing fault.

Great device, but buttons die – This is a fantastic device with the ability to replace so many individual remotes. The ability to tailor the functionality - which devices are turned on and off, how buttons operate and the terminology which is displayed on the device screen are extremely useful. These features come in great use as the Harmony 650 remote gets older and various… Read more

buttons fail to work, you can tailor your remote to use buttons which are still working.

I have had the Harmony 650 for 3 1/2 years and it worked fine for the first 2 1/2 years. So for the past 12 months I have been able to tweek the buttons and functions to keep using the remote and only on occasions require the original remote to get that appliance to operate correctly.

Not reliable – So I originally gave this remote a 4 star rating, however after using it for a short period things started going wrong, with settings not being completed and the epg freezing etc only way to get it to go was to remove the batteries and try again. It was all over the shop sometimes working but mostly not. Then it started rebooting itself all the… Read more

time, after contacting Logitech they confirmed it was a hardware problem and to take it back to the place of purchase. I contacted Officeworks and they were very good as well offering me a new one or a refund. Only thing was if they replaced it the warranty did not start anew, so I would only have about 3 months warranty after that nothing so I took the refund. If Logitech could iron out the problems it would be a great remote. I stress also I was only running a simple 3 appliance setup TV, Sound System and PVR recorder.

Comprehensive if a bit complicated universal remote – This is my third Harmony 650 remote. That's probably not a great recommendation: the first one lost its infrared strength after a couple of years of constant use.. The second lost its auto screen off so the battery constantly goes flat. I'll probably get this fixed under warranty This new one is identical except they have added a rougher back for… Read more

better grip. The harmony software is pretty good although it's also pretty complicated. They also change the software to a newer version just to complicate things further. That said, if you have it set up the way you like you can just upload it to the new remote and you're away. If you need to add another device (in my case a Fetch box) it can take a while. These are reasonably robust and the lit colour screen is good. The buttons light too, although they are a bit faint. Learning commands from another remote is simple, reliable and well-designed. There is a 655 model about which supports more devices (eight instead of five I think). Battery life is reasonable, at least a couple of months with constant use. I use rechargeables so that helps. I had a more expensive model with a built-in lithium battery and they charging cradle but I gave it away as the battery life was poor.

Good but has it's faults – We have been using three of these for about two years & find them indispensable. I'm a technophile so love a challenge which for the non technical a Logitech remote certainly can be. The on-line setup is okay but has it's quirks too & one down side is if you mess up your once okay settings you can not restore back to a previous point. We have… Read more

seven devices working on every remote, (identically programmed), & with some skill it works fine, even stacked macros (DVD - on, TV- on, Change TV- input). Using three in the one room isn't ideal as if one turns a device on then manual intervention by way of the screen on another is needed, but that's a small inconvenience. The range compared to standard remotes is exceptional & despite complaints the battery life is very good.

Now for the criticism: 1. The OK button which is the most used is miniscule & should be MUCH larger & raised. 2. The build quality although robust is borderline as some buttons become "sticky" & need a prompt to pop back. Using silicon spray doesn't really help. 3. The device buttons have no back light & are impossible to see in a dark room. 4. The back light can take a lot of "shaking" to make it work, often it requires a button press.

Summing it up the Harmony is a great device with a few small issues but be warned you probably need a Masters degree in technology to get full use out of it!

EDIT March 2017:

Our oldest Harmony 650 has now developed issues, it has become very heavy on batteries which now last under two weeks, the display becomes very dull after a few seconds so it is time to bin it. No real problem as a new one can cost as little as $45.

The other two are still fine & so far don't have these issues, the faulty one did have a fair bit of use! We still couldn't live without them & thankfully because of the on-line Harmony application it is easy to programme the new one by simply connecting - synchronising - disconnecting & it's done.

Same as more expensive ones at a fraction of the price – Now with 8 devices and 23 favorites for each one, this is every bit as good as the 'ultimate'. Takes a bit of setting up but I have 2 mystar boxes, 1 hdanywhere 4x4, 1 samsung tv, 1 telstra tv, 1 beyonwiz t4 & it all works. I gave my harmony touch to the missus.

and back to 1 star (Now 4 stars (Was 5 then 1)) – Update 2: Sadly just after my last update the batteries died so that was after 11 weeks. The next ones lasted 2 weeks! So I'm going to have to go back to my prior recommendation and say give it a miss until they resolve these issues. I don't want to have to replace the remote each 3 months, even under warranty, and I certainly won't replace the… Read more

batteries every week or two.

Update: So we did punt on a fourth one as nothing else is like it. Eleven weeks later it is still working fine.

Original Post 24/10/16: We loved this thing but after 2 or 3 years it died, not too bad. BUT the replacement 650 was crap. It would eat batteries in a few weeks so we took it back. Refunding store had no stock, went to another and the latest 650 which is 4 weeks old eats new batteries in a week! It's a shame, it was a great controller. Not sure what to replace it with. The higher Harmonys are too expensive. The symptom for low batteries was a flickering screen and a reboot. It is supposed to warn of low battery as the original one did but it just dies now.

2 stars but should be 5 – Would have rated this 5 star but bottom left hand button around the screen stopped working. I had to go online and change all commands from that quadrant. Put the av amp there so have to have an extra remote. Didn't bother contacting Logitech because an internet search identified it as a problem. Some online say you can fix it yourself but way beyond my expertise. Pity, thought this would be first 5 star Dodgytech product I would own.

Should be excellent but doesn't last long – The remote as a unit works very well for controlling my devices. If it lasted more than six weeks I would have rated it at a five star. However, this is the second unit that has failed for me after a period of six weeks. Both units have the same issue of turning off in the middle of performing a stream. I bought a second unit after the… Read more

first one failed, figuring it must have something to do with the kids dropping it or something, but after a similar six week period the second unit is failing with exactly the same symptoms leading me to believe there is a design fault or deliberate failure designed into the unit.

This is the fourth logitech universal remote I have owned, and so far 75% have exhibited early failure. It seems the more expensive it is the more likely it is to fail (as in the one that lasted was the cheap unit without LED display).

Apart from the reliability issue, the product would be great. Configuration is easy via the website.

Selection of equipment and configuration of equipment is simple and relatively straight forward.

The unit works well, with favourite function buttons a nice innovation (when it is not failing).

Normally I would highly recommend the unit, but two out of two failures with same problem, as well as confirming indications from other reviews, means I could not recommend it at all.

too high tech. bat lasts 1 wk – Bat last a week duracell. I don't use the pvr cause or this. Use my old one. Bat lasts 6 months. What a waste of money.