Okay, so I've been using URC products for years and I'm thinking about switching to the RTI family for a primary product line.

Been using MX-850's for RF and now considering using the MX-950 and the MX-3000. My other consideration would be the T2+ or T3. The RP-6 boasts features that should without a doubt outperform URC, especially in a RF unfriendly install.

For now URC's RF receivers lack what the RP-6's features can do. Although I hear that URC will be releasing comparable technology in early 2006. No status sensing will be available then. However, in mid-2006 supposedly another RF device with status sensing capability will be available. Except you'll need a newer remote also to be released at that time.

Does anyone have experience using the MX-3000, T2+ and T3 who could offer up some feedback?

xtra_222

If you do this for a living, switch now.

We did MANY MX remotes with every MRF RF station released. Unfortunately, we encountered numerous as you put it "RF unfriendly installs".

Now we do RTI. We do a lot of them. Sometimes up to 5 remotes in a single project. They are consistantly "RF friendly" installs. We used to pay the techs overtime on nearly every job as they fiddled with the URC RF reliability. This is typically at the very end of the job when you just want to be done, collect your final payment and go home. Now we just program the system, test to make sure we put all the codes on the right buttons and leave.

The result is this: predictable installs, happy customers, much less overtime pay, fewer trouble call visits and more referrals.

I really liked URC and we installed lots. But we had enough. Perhaps they will get it right at some point but we could not wait.

I would also recommend you take a look at the T1. We do a lot of them as they are SIMPLE to operate for the user. Does not get any easier. Not as much cool factor but we find the customer satisfaction on many of our jobs is higher due to the simplicity. Once you have the RP-6 installed in the job, you can give the power users the T2+ or T3 with all the cool programming etc. Then for $299.00 add the T1 for everyone else to just pickup and go. Visitors, grandparents, baby sitters and drunk clients have a MUCH easier time with the T1 as there are no layers. Press the button and it works!

George P.

Ditto whith what George said

We did alot of URC and started with the RF and the happy installs went sour. We struggled with the RF and chnaged alot of them it IR repeater systems

We tried RTI and have been extremely happy with all of the installs with them
we have used T1's, U1's, T2+'s, T3's just did our first RP1 and it was awsome, we usually use the RP-6

The URC is a great line but thr RF for us was not working, so we had to do something

RTI was our answer for now, maybe later the URC will find its place with us again..the doors are not shut with them just waiting for better RF

I agree with everything mentioned above.

I don't have any experience with the URC remotes... but I can tell you that we have been THRILLED with the RTI stuff. I can say that I have ZERO complaints with the RTI stuff... they just continue to build on amazing products.

I have to jump in too. I can't say enough about how happy I am with RTI. Doing remotes is profitable and enjoyable again.

Aren't you glad you are done moving the URC MRF-300 base station and antenna around constantly hoping to get reliable control?

I'm amazed that the RM-433 and RP-1 antenna locations are so flexable. Our techs put them where it is convenient and it just seems to work.

I know the threads on the URC forum are lively right now, and Eric is a great guy to have helping, but if professional installers knew how simple it is to get RTI RF to work they would be even better off...

How many times do they have to use the MRF base to "snif" for RF interferance before placing it. Then move it some more.... Then how many times are they moving the antenna around...then moving it some more....then adjusting the IR strength....then adjusting some more.... This type of non-productive fiddling just does NOT happen on our RTI installs.

For the DIY person, that is OK. But for a professional, in my opinion, there is a better way.

RTI: don't screw it up! It works great now but as you release new products, you better not take us backwards. 'Cause Eric and his boys at URC have you in their sights! And I hope they arrive at the same level of reliability and ease of install.

Competition is great. These products are getting better at a faster rate because of it.

George P.

Thanks for your input George P., Glackowitz, Andy M. and tippy-tie.

Reliability over the dazzling cool features is a must. I'm switching.

Although over the last couple nights I've had some problems downloading from RTI's web site. I've got a user ID and p/w, but I'm still having problems with their site. Anyone else having issues with their site?

xtra_222

no, I downloaded some updates last night with no problem.

the cool thing about rti is that you get the reliability AND the cool features, and thier getting cooler with the updates coming in 06.

I really don't think urc has ANYthing to offer in competition, except thier sexy form factor that some customers really like. Thats it..... just the body style.

RTI is probably the Mercedes of its class.

Some clients would not pay the higher price of the Mercedes and purchase a Camry instead.

When price is not an issue to be overcome, go RTI. If you can't get to the price point of RTI, URC becomes viable.

A lot of my clients prefer the price point of the URC products. They are an excellent value and are quite reliable in my experience.

I think you need to know where problems could arise and also use that as a measuring stick as to whether you would use one brand or the other.

I have a client I was talking to about an MX-3000. When I found out he was putting 3 TVs on one wall (two of them plasmas) plus 3 cable box/DVR combos, plus maybe satellite later....hello RTI. I just didn't want to take the chance.

Hi Tom,

Tom, your points are well taken. Price point is a concern and URC has been satisfactory in that area. I still have clients using MX-500's and they are pleased with its performance.

I'm very excited about getting my skills honed with the RTI product line. Although I will say that in the past I've had some trepidation regarding purchasing RTI. All due to some programmers I know who've had their issues with the older T2, their batteries being the biggest issue. Apparently these are issues which have been resolved with the new T2+.

We've inherited a job recently, where the client is very disatisfied with their T2 and its battery. Will try to warm him back up to the product he's already purchased. Looks as if we may need to replace battery, upgrade, or...?

The T2+ is also a good combo sell that coordinates well with Sonance K2 in-wall keypads.

I will confess though that every once in a while I find myself playing with the MX-3000 Editor and Emultaor.

In my opinion, URC & RF are a money & customer losing proposition.

Spent DAYS trying to get an MX3000 and MRF300 working reliably. Customer told me recently the system works fine.... as long as the cabinet doors are open. The RF sucks, the IR works fine.

Recently completed system with RP6, T2+ and T1. Flawless. One minor programming tweak I had overlooked. Fixed it and I'm downloading to the RP6 next chance I get.

URC customer spent TWICE as much on system (entire system, not just remote).

RTI customer many times as happy.

URC customer gets new RTI system soon......

N_Stallr gets MX3000 and MRF300 sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

N_Stallr hopefully gets many many referrals from happy new RTI owner because the former took care of the latter.

How many other professional trades treat their customers this way?

Oh, looks like you need an ebay account to dump all that equipment you remove.

We also do the same......sold over a dozen pronto's, urc and other stuff on ebay.

The cost (your time) in programing out weights the savings of the URC. Selling the RTI can be a challenge in certain markets, but it's you that design/installs the system. I rather pass a project if the client will pass on adequate controls.

To me the control is the most important part of a design/installation, it's the only equipment the client will use everyday. It the controls don't work...your state of the art...front page quality....clean install/design is lost.

***Oh, you also lose that client...and sometimes company reputation.

Sell your client a great system with a great controller, take the time to learn a new programing software...you'll sleep better.


If the market is tough; give them the controller at your cost...your profit stay the same (same profits with a URC sale) and your client is gratefull. Don't worry you'll make more money from this client in future sales/services/referals.

Absolutely agree with everything you've said.

I'll never touch URC again.

I've found my remote line...... it's RTI.

I've found most customers agree with me when I explain that the additional cost of and RTI SYSTEM (not just remote, but with RP6 or RP1) is trivial when reliability and ease of use are concerned.

I automatically spec in a T2+ and RP-6 with the fixins when I draw a proposal.

I also have a page or so of explanations and examples of why a control system is necessary in a theater system.

Just last night spent an hour running a client through the use of 5 different remotes..... AGAIN. Meeting with them next week to go over the RTI system and to schedule the install.

As was said before in this thread, if you sell remotes professionally, RTI is THE goto. There is no comparison.

Oh yeah, in regards to that MX3000 I'll be removing.... I've decided on a use for it.

It would be PERFECT for learning and storing IR codes for certain pieces, like the button TX codes for Speakercraft's MZC66

So all is not lost, just an awefully expensive IR code and file storage device.

At least it's good for SOMETHING.