RC User Reviews: Complete Control MX-900 "Genesis" Remote Control (3)

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User reviews for the Complete Control MX-900 "Genesis" from Universal Remote Control Inc.

Ratings	Reviews	MSRP (USD)
Average: 3.31/5.00 Median: 3.50/5.00	18	$449

The MX-900 is an economical version of the powerful MX-950 that continues to offer many powerful features. It includes 1mb of flexible memory for almost any programming method you desire including device and activity-based concepts, an 8-line alphanumeric LCD display, full blue LED backlighting, USB-based computer programming, narrow-band RF technology, IR learning, a code database and MRF-400 compatibility.

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Now viewing user reviews page 3 of 3 for
the Complete Control MX-900 "Genesis" remote.

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Written by M. Jackson from Canada.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 4 made on Friday January 5, 2007 at 9:31 PM.

Also owned:

Kameleon, MX-500, MX-850, Harmony 880.

Strengths:

Easy to read screen, day and night.
Listen/Watch effectively provides for 12 screen buttons.
7 digit labeling!!
Press and hold feature.
Drag and drop IR codes.
USB connection. Great feel and look.

Weaknesses:

Price: $449 is unreasonable.
URC software and support policy.
#keys a little to close to DVD/VCR transport keys.

Review:

After my MX-500 I had a short visit with the MX-850 and then returned it when I read about the Live Update software problems.

Went to the Harmony 880 and thought I was done for this time around.

Then I helped a friend program an MX-900 ... and was hooked. At that time I also found ways around the software policy and decided that this was no longer going to be an issue for me.

The feel and looks of the 900 got my attention first. Excellent balance and one-handed control.
Better display then on the MX-850. Both, day and night.
The Listen/Watch buttons replacing the MAIN button on the 850, effectively doubles up on the screen-buttons so that the 950 has 12 instead of 10 on the 850.

The 7 digit labeling is the difference between using it only ourselves and being able to hand it to a babysitter with only 2 minutes instructions.

When programming, the drag and drop IR code ability adds a very useful feature.

'Press and Hold' programming allows nearly every button to have an alternate function when pressed and held for a pre-determined amount of time ( I use 1 second ). Therefore, when controlling my X-10 lighting system, the #1 button sends the #1 X-10 command when normally pressed, and the #11 command when pressed for one second e.t.c. Absolutely great feature!

Great limitless macro capability.

The software is easy to use with only a minimum of reading.

The USB connection makes for almost instantaneous down and uploading thus making it fast and easy to try different set-ups.

Once used to the way it is programmed it is easy to use without ever looking at it. The only occasional miscues are a result of the #keys being a little too close to the DVD/VCR transport keys.

My value rating assumes MSRP. It is possible to purchase it for half that price which then makes it a very good value.

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Features:

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Written by htsjimbo from NY.

The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.

Review 3 made on Tuesday July 18, 2006 at 12:21 PM.

Also owned:

MX500,MX600,MX700,MX350

Strengths:

Powerfull, easy to PC program one remote does all.
Great feel and layout for one handed use

Weaknesses:

None for my use

Review:

I use this remote everyday as well as my back up for all my Remotes 22 in all
Equipment B&K, Denon, Rotel, Nad, Panasonic, Sony.

I have to say of all the remotes I own "good ones" The MX900 is by far the best remote i own, easy to program via PC very powerfull many devices fast to program about 2 days and a day to find tune for all 22 remotes still play with marcos fun and easy. The lighting and button lay out is great ! Cant say enough good things about this remote . For price and performance nothing compares at this time.

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Written by mydon from The Swamps of Jersey.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 2 made on Monday July 10, 2006 at 1:41 PM.

Strengths:

Strong IR, easy to program once you get the hang of it, IR codes for tons of devices, button layout, cool blue backlighting, decent battery life, sturdy design.

Weaknesses:

Retail price, doesn't make me dinner.

Review:

I'm a former Pronto owner (2 different models) and wanted to go with a remote that had more hard buttons. From reading a different forum, I was almost set on the Harmony 880. Went to a local distributor and just didn't like the feel of the remote...cheap plastic, small buttons jammed together...just didn't feel like a quality remote. Was at another store looking at receivers and noticed the MX-900...as soon as I held it I was in love. Went home, read this forum and the next day bought the MX-900 and haven't looked back. Everything I could ask it to do, it does. The programming was fairly simple once I got past my Pronto programming habits. The look, the feel, the IR operation, the software...I love everything about this remote. I also purchased the MRF300 as well and am thrilled with the way everything is working. A couple of issues that required some patience and tweaking with the MRF but eventually got it working the my satisfaction.

Now for the big downside of owning this remote....my wife loves it. With my previous remotes, she hated them so much she refused to use them so I was always in control of the tv. Now, she's taken my MX-900 over....I'm at her channel surfing mercy which is just horrible...I can only take so many "Design on a Dime" shows in a week.

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Written by ng5783 from Virginia.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 1 made on Sunday May 28, 2006 at 8:26 AM.

Strengths:

USB Interface to PC; programmability is outstanding; ability to mix commands from different devices to buttons (more flexible than punch-through, which is also supported); shape fits very well in my hands; button layout is intuitive; nice backlighting; best software for any remote I've used; excellent learning facilities; database had codes that worked for every device I have (though it didn't list the exact models of a couple of my devices); devices all get signals even when I point in opposite direction or have remote obstructed by the couch; ability to totally replace every remote control in the house.

Weaknesses:

Can't punch-through Power Off without punching through the Power On button (mentioned as a possible software upgrade to come); couldn't find a way to easily reorder "pages" for a device or realign text for multiple programmed buttons all at once; size might be too big for some users; no means for directly entering hex codes; list price is excessive; no programming manual specific to this model yet(though manual for MX-950 was adequate for me to learn everything needed).

Review:

This is nearly the perfect remote for me, though I wouldn't recommend it for others unless they are willing to pay a professional to program it or are obsessive enough (like me) to spend several hours minimum to get the most out of it. Otherwise, you might as well buy a less-capable remote for far less money. While it's not too hard to simply set it up as a replacement for your existing remotes, it takes some thought as to how to optimally layout task-oriented programmable pages. The great thing about this remote is that it is incredibly powerful. I actually enjoy the programming and, like some others, go back to tweak the programming periodically to simplify tasks I find myself or others doing with the remote.

While I was willing to spend nearly any amount to get what I wanted, and would've preferred to have the MX-950's expanded set of programmable LCD buttons, I chose this remote over it because of recharging. I don't like the idea of having to dock the remote for recharging nor the idea of having to eventually find a replacement proprietary Li-Ion battery (partially based on my horrible experience with the rechargeable Harmony remote I returned). If the rechargeables were AA's or other std size (and maybe it/they are - I couldn't find any specs on the battery), I might've gone for the 950. It's easy enough to find replacement batteries for things like cell phones, but I didn't find a site anywhere that listed one for the MX-950 - and when the price is as high as this, I'd want some assurance that I'd be able to use it for many years.

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