Pros: Durable with unbelievable IR strength, great ergonomics and tactile feel, highly customizable, powerful macros
Cons: Somewhat short, but not bad, battery life. No PC connection
The Bottom Line: This remote can take a beating and keeps on clicking. Ergonomics and tactile feel are superb. It's IR emitters can shoot through blankets and thin pillows or across multiple rooms.
tjapkesg's Full Review: Universal Remote Control SL-9000 LCD Remote Contro...
I've actually had this remote for a couple years now, but two factors led me to come to and write about it. First, it's still available and it is inexpensive given the quality and usability of the remote. Second, we have a son that is now 2.5 years old, and of course LOVES remotes. This thing has taken a beating and is none the worse for the wear.
I learned of this remote from an uncle. He loves them so much, he purchased a second. With a growing number of remotes to juggle, and a lack of 100% coverage of features across all the devices on any of the stock "universal" remotes, it was finally time for a change. I spent a great deal of time weeding through the various options, and initially focused on PC programmable models, such as the Harmony remotes now owned and branded by Logitech. A number of factors led me away from there, obviously.
Ergonomics
The MX-500 may be a big remote, but it simply fits in your hand beautifully. It's well balanced, and the most used buttons do not require twisting your hand into knots to reach them. The buttons are a nice size with good tactile feel that allows using it without having to constantly look at it. One of the complaints that wained my interest in the Harmony line was the small buttons. Along with that, the LCD displays are also smaller and harder to read. The LCD on the MX-500 is a generous size with an excellent backlight for dark rooms; a backlight that also illuminates the buttons.
Durability
Many are familiar with drinks spilled on remotes or that awful "CRACK" sound a remote makes after cruising through the air and striking the floor. I can't say I've had either happen to my MX-500 to any extreme, but it certainly feels like it's built like a tank. I did, however, read amazing survival stories in many reviews. And our son hasn't been overly kind to it. It's been thrown, dropped, stepped on, buttons mashed, etc... it doesn't care.
This strength appears to extend to the buttons themselves, which are just as responsive as day one, and show no signs of wear (physically or functionally). It doesn't even creak or crack when you press buttons hard.
Compatibility and Setup
It is claimed that each MX-500 uses most complete code database out there, and ships with the latest version. It does contain codes for devices I've seen no where else, such as an old Fisher Studio Standard component system and codes that aren't in our original remotes. But nothing is perfect, and that's where the learning capabilities of this remote shine. In fact, the "learning mode" is where it's at.
I suggest that new owners label the menus and buttons as they wish, and then teach each button using the original device remotes. Plan your layout of course. This avoids testing the "canned" codes and ensures that each and every button does what you expect it to do. We have a variety of equipment, and it works perfectly this way.
Sony Wega TV
Yamaha A/V Receiver
JVC DVD player
Sony VCR
Dish Network DVR
Slimdevices (now Logitech) Squeezebox
The MX-500 also provides the ability to "Punch" buttons through to other devices. This is important if you want to control your DVD player, but change the volume on your receiver without toggling between devices. I actually have our DVR setup as two devices; one using solely the TV and the TV volume, and a second for TV with the A/V receiver for sound.
PC Connection
It doesn't have one. PC Programmability would be nice. Very VERY nice. But it's rare that you should have to change anything. When I got my Squeezebox, it took me roughly 15 minutes to get into the remotes menus, relabel things, and then teach the MX-500 what it needed to know. Same deal with our DVR. Hardly painful at all.
The real caveat is the inability to download discrete codes and load them into the remote. You can teach it discrete codes from another remote, but you can't load them from a computer. What is a discrete code? On/Off, for example, is a toggle. An On code that is separate from an Off code would be two discrete and separate codes. This allows you to explicitly tell a device whether to be On or Off. If you have a macro full of On/Off toggles for your equipment, but your TV is already on, your other gear may all turn on, but the TV will turn off. In another case, you may have a macro with discrete "on" codes. You press it, and for whatever reason, the DVD player did not get the code. You run the macro again, the DVD player turns on and everything else stays on.
There are, however, some cheap options for less than steller remotes with PC connections, such as those with "JP1" connections. Such a remote is generally about $30 and can serve as a "courier" to get codes from your PC and then, in turn, teach the code to the MX-500.
We rarely turn everything on, or even the same devices on regularly, so I haven't bothered pursuing this myself.
Macros
Devices buttons can each be assigned with a macro and accessed by pressing and holding the desired device button. On our system, pressing and holding the DVD button powers on the TV, A/V receiver and switches the inputs and both for DVD viewing. When the macro is completed, it goes to the DVD menu, but that is also customizable.
System Macros include 3 separate buttons at the bottom of the remote, as well as the System On and System Off buttons. What ever button you use, these or the device buttons, Macros all work the same. The key difference is, the system macro buttons are the same regardless of what device menu you are in.
Performance
The two IR emitters are amazing. Simply astounding. Did you ever think you could lay down on the sofa, covered in blankets, with the remote tucked in with you under the covers, and control your devices. This remote can do it. I've "fired" it straight through throw pillows. Held it right up against the pillow and changed channels. Its signal can easily reach across our home.
If this intrigues you, read more about it over at http://www.remotecentral.com where I found much of the information that swayed my final decision.
IR Strength: http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/index9.htm
It does go through batteries pretty quickly, but this time ranges from 6 months to a year. I'd hardly call it frequent and I have often swapped them out early due to a noticeable drop in signal strength.
Conclusion
I'll admit that other remotes do entice me at times. But it is hard to beat this remote, with its durability and ergonomics. I wouldn't trade tactile feel for tiny buttons or even a fancy touchscreen. There's only one screen I want to look at when I'm watching a movie. When purchasing, an authorized dealer is important if you want a valid warranty. I bought mine from http://www.bluedo.com, who now offers it for $86.95.
The MX-500 is ergonomically designed and weight balanced to fit comfortably in one hand. The brightly backlit LCD view screen and buttons make navigat...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Controls up to ten devices Preprogrammed for over 1,000 audio/video components Learns up to 530 commands via infrared from device remotes Send out mul...More at Amazon Marketplace
Controls up to ten devices Preprogrammed for over 1,000 audio/video components Learns up to 530 commands via infrared from device remotes Send out mul...More at Amazon
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