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Post by leonski on Apr 18, 2024 12:14:53 GMT -5
The X1S and presumably the X1 have a function where you can put numbers on the main 'screen', I put screen in quotes, since it it tiny. What this would SEEM to mean is that channel 244 would be fairly easy while 360 would require some scrolling to make happen... Ease also would depend on that 'scroll wheel'.....touchy or rough starts to make choices more difficult..... Three years ago, I bought the original U1. That remote had "hard" number buttons on the remote. Not sure why they'd remove them, but in today's world of streaming live TV and scrolling through a channel guide, I can understand. Ultimately, I ended up returning the U1. Not because it didn't work well enough, but because building "activities" was pretty much a non existent feature at that time. You had to build macros on your own for every activity that you wanted to create. Having been a long time Harmony owner, that was a non-starter for me. I'm glad to see that they have addressed that shortcoming and building an "activity" should now be pretty painless. As I recall, the operation of the "scroll ball" on the U1 was fairly smooth under your thumb. So if that's how you now need to select the numbers, I don't think that would be too much of a problem as long as you're quick enough to satisfy the needs of your TV or cable box before it "times out". Personally, I will likely give the X1S a try. Having 30 days to return it (when purchased through Amazon), I don't have much to lose except the time invested... /Specifically WHY I have not sent off for the U1. No 'macros'......The X1S with improved software is now worthy...... Please keep me posted on your experiment with the X1S. And yes, the button time out issue DID occur to me......
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Post by leonski on May 2, 2024 17:48:44 GMT -5
Just finished CLEANING my Logitech 650 Harmony Remote...... This is by far the most complicated of the few I've done with 3 or 4 removable 'rubber' switch pads, and an entire circuit board devoted to holding 'metal bubble' type switches. I did not take it down as far as the youtube helps, but was content to simply clean switch serpentines and the associated rubber bumpers...... A few 'replacement'parts are available from adventurous types who make direct, drop-in parts. I didnt' even bother to find out how much $$ was the ask.
But IF I get another 6 months to a year out of this fix? I'll call it 'good' and THAN replace with X1S Sofabaton OR that 'other' one with the confusing name..... which is also about 400$ these days.
It occurs to me to ask what the button system is in the Sofabaton? If it is the same rubber button / serpentine setup? That places a hard-limit on lifetime of the device. Every remote I've taken apart has issues with that system....It is cheap and Guarantees the need to replace in a finite time....... MORE Planned Obsolescence, which OFFENDS ME. Imagine if the Great Pyramid had been designed to fall apart in 1000 years?
I even fully replaced ALL switches on my ceiling fan remote. Only 6 of 'em but I made a nice piece of Industrial Art and practiced soldering SMALL wires......
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Post by leonski on May 2, 2024 18:19:25 GMT -5
Just finished assembly (6 tiny screws), and test. It even LOOKS good.....
All seems back to normal. Now? For how long?
I used 91% Iso to clean...and several Q-Tips. And to wipe the case? One of those disposible wipes which are wet without being drippy......
I'm NOT going to say a word and see if SHMBO notices........
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Post by leonski on May 4, 2024 0:27:28 GMT -5
Well, not really fixed, but improved. Fabrication in layers is off-putting and I refuse to invest in any 'parts' for a system which has been abandoned by the manufacturer.....Several 'kits' available or not......while a NIB (new in box) remote just like mine.....the #650, is nearly 300$......Ridiculous since I have no idea if the Logitech site is even active for programming any more.....And I KNOW it can't be that long before it goes dark... USED will have same problems as mine. What a treat.
In particular? the 'OFF' button takes several presses to get it to work......Numbers for direct channel entry are a little 'iffy'......Guide / Menu / Exit and 'return' seem OK if a little touchy.
Now I need to ask Sofabaton a question.
IF they use the same button technology?.....My ceiling fan remote and Direct TV remotes use this too, than screw it. Designed to fail in only a few thousand cycles.
My rebuild of the ceilig fan remote uses momentary contact switches with maybe 100,000 cycles MTBF.....so THAT will never be an isssue in 2 lifetimes......
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SOFABATON
May 4, 2024 12:14:02 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by 405x5 on May 4, 2024 12:14:02 GMT -5
Well, not really fixed, but improved. Fabrication in layers is off-putting and I refuse to invest in any 'parts' for a system which has been abandoned by the manufacturer.....Several 'kits' available or not......while a NIB (new in box) remote just like mine.....the #650, is nearly 300$......Ridiculous since I have no idea if the Logitech site is even active for programming any more.....And I KNOW it can't be that long before it goes dark... USED will have same problems as mine. What a treat. In particular? the 'OFF' button takes several presses to get it to work......Numbers for direct channel entry are a little 'iffy'......Guide / Menu / Exit and 'return' seem OK if a little touchy. Now I need to ask Sofabaton a question. IF they use the same button technology?.....My ceiling fan remote and Direct TV remotes use this too, than screw it. Designed to fail in only a few thousand cycles. My rebuild of the ceilig fan remote uses momentary contact switches with maybe 100,000 cycles MTBF.....so THAT will never be an isssue in 2 lifetimes...... Remote controls are the greatest convenience……… So long as they work the way they’re supposed to……… The keypad for my GENIE garage door openers BECAME TEMPERAMENTAL AND I TOOK IT APART AND CLEANED IT…… (LESSON LEARNED ABOUT USING THE WRONG CLEANER). I USED ONE OF MY CRC CONTACT CLEANERS, (WHICH IS AN AEROSOL) AND THOUGHT I HAD THE THING LICKED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, IT STARTED TO MALFUNCTION….GETTING WORSE UNTIL WE ALL GAVE UP ON IT. I Gave it one more try and reasoned out in this case, a degreasing soap was the answer and I just used Dawn liquid dish detergent. The pad with the contacts just lifts out and this is where the problem was. I washed it thoroughly and then used my Electronics compressed air to remove any residual water. Every button now functioning perfectly.
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Post by leonski on May 4, 2024 12:33:18 GMT -5
I've done rebuilds on my fan remote several times, until the 'rubber' switch material wore out. That's when I remanufactured the part with real switches.
My DTV remote responded well to the simple fix of disassembly / clean
The Logitech is more complex and I won't put 5 Pesos into it, given the poor attitude of the manufacturer.......
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