Which Harmony Remote to buy???

[jd91]

Hi everyone... I'm hoping someone on here can answer a couple questions for me.  I am looking to purchase a Harmony remote for my HT.  I already know that I do not want to shell out for the 880, so I'm down to deciding between the 659 and 688.

1) Does anyone out there use the 659 with the SA 8300HD?  If so, how do you utilize the "List" function from the SA remote for accessing the Saved Shows / Series Manager, etc.?  Is this one of the buttons you have to "teach" the remote, since there is not a hard button for this?  Same question about the A, B, C buttons...

2) Can anyone tell me what the real difference is between the 659 and 688?  Reading through the Logitech website and various reviews has not shed much information on that.  The verbage on their website indicates the 688 is designed more for use with a DVR, but I honestly can't figure out what the 688 can do that the 659 can't.  What do you really get with the 688?  Any difference with the "List" and A, B, C functionality?

3) If anyone has the 688, what is your opinion of the button layout on that remote?  I haven't seen one in my hand -- can't find one in a local store to physically touch... From the pictures, it appears that the buttons have a very strange layout -- in some sort of oval around the middle of the remote.  It appears Harmony went back to a more traditional layout with the 880 -- is this because the layout on 688 was unpopular?

Anyway, appreciate any advice anyone can give.  I don't need a top of the line remote, but want one that will allow me to do the things I normally do with my various components... mostly concerned about the TW DVR functionality.

Thanks!

[kevbeck122]

For the 659, you'll probably put the A, B, C and list functions on the LCD screen and its buttons since there are no hard buttons.  You don't have to teach the remote any of the commands for the 8300.. Logitech has most, if not all in their database.  Looking at pictures of the 659 and 688, they look like they have the same buttons just in a different layout.  I have a 680 which has another button (REC'D) and I use that for the List function.  I bought it from someone on this board.. not sure if the other one is still available, but you could check: http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5415

[jd91]

Thanks...
I just noticed there is a 676 model available as well -- saw it at BB.  Looks like it has a few more buttons than 659 but a more traditional layout than the 688.  I'm going to assume that for any of these there will likely be a need to assign the LCD buttons to do the List or A, B, C functionality.  

Just curious... Using your 680, is there any important functionality of the 8300HD remote you have to live without because of button limitations?

[kevbeck122]

Nope.. I put A, B, C, Page Up, Page Down and Zoom into the LCD buttons.  If you want the rest, you can just put them in the LCD.  There's a next button right by the LCD that allows you to change the function of the buttons there.

[svtdougie]

I have the 688 and love it.  Worked great with cable company in Pittsburgh (HD PVR).  Also wife loves it.  It is idiot proof.