Calling on all you experts out there.

I am in the market for a universal remote and don’t really know #%@& about them. I have done some research and pretty much narrowed it down to the URC-300 Customizer, Pronto TSU-3000 and Logitech Harmony 680 but just when I think I have decided on one, I read a review that changes my mind. I want one remote that will control just about everything like changing from DVD drive to Hard drive in my DVD recorder and to be able to change surround fields on my receiver.
Here is mainly what I am looking for:
1.Priced around $300 or less.
2.Must have cusotmizeable labels
3.Somewhat easy to program, I am not a computer genius
4.A mix of hard buttons and a touch screen is fine.
5.Good Customer support from the manufacturer


I would greatly appreciate anyone’s input on which remote would be best. Right now my #1 choice is the URC-300

Thanks in advance.

Dan

One of my favorites is the Home Theater Master MX600RF.

It feels good in your hand, has customizable labels, (limited to five digits each), buttons are all hard, but has an LCD screen to label your custom buttons, all the custom buttons are available to program macros, (this allows you to program those famous "one button does everything" buttons) and in has both IR and RF capabilities.

I believe it meets your needs. http://www.hometheatermaster.com is your link.

Remember that the URC300 is RF capable as well with an optional RF basestation.

All three remotes are decent selections. I think it'll come down to your personal preference. My order (from what you've selected) would be:

URC 300
Pronto
Harmony

I use the MX-500 myself and love it!

if you dont need rf go for the mx-700 <$200- mx-800 if you need rf <$300 (Open box specials) at bluedo.com. also check with mike at surf remote. these guys will help if needed too! the 800 is better than all those you listed imho

I like PC programmable remotes, so I am not a fan of the URC-300 the benefits are that you can share files.

Harmony has an excellent reputation for tech support, but them and HTM do have an authorized dealer police and that means that if you buy it from someone else you have no warranty. (but Harmony will still help with comfit probs.)

The Pronto tech support has mixed reviews, but the forum here means that except for a physical problem you will probably get any help you need in the file section or the Pronto forum


I think Harmony is the easiest to set-up, and if you reach a dead end with the wizards you can always call tech support and they will either tell you how to do it, do it themselves or send it to the next level.

The Pronto is the most customizable and even though I don't consider it hard, it is the one that needs the most work and some getting used to the interface

PS reads Daniels review of the Harmony remote 659 (i think that was his last one) they are all more or less the same under the hood, The Pronto is reviewed as well. There is also one for the URC-300 as well as the MX-700/800 (the way I would go if you want a HTM)