Long time user of URC remotes. I owned and program / reprogrammed my MX-700 and tow MX-900's through various pieces of equipment over the last 5-6 years, and I have the software for both. Very comfortable programming the remotes, as I am an IT professional and A/V geek.

But, the buttons have died again on my second MX-900 after two years. I tried the method shown here about cleaning the inside and applying the conductive paint and that helped for a couple days, but now the buttons are worse than ever.

My question is should I opt for another MX-900 (around $200 on e-bay) and leverage my already coded set up knowing it will die in a year or two, or should I switch the the Logitech Harmony One and be done with URC remotes.

If I could buy another URC remote MX-950 or 980 and have it come with the software, I would probably opt for that, but since I cannot I'm between a rock and hard places.

Opinions on the Harmony One Advanced are welcome.

First, you should have used contact cleaner, you can buy it at Radio Shack.

Second, if URC remotes only last you a couple of years, then you will be lucky to get 6 months out of a Harmony. I have sold URC remote for over 6 years and have never had one wear out.

I'm not the only with MX-900 key problems. Look here.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

With that said, I really like URC remotes. That is why I have bought three of them. I just don't want to continue to buy a item for hundreds of dollars, that I know will wear out in a year or two.

I am hoping the URC will R/A my remote for their replacement fee.

Did you read the follow up comments to the link you posted? One person who's remote wore out after a couple of years, just like you, followed by many dealers who have dozens of the same remotes out in thefield with no problems.

The only times I have seen a piece of electronics "wear out" is from heavy use, and once from a chain smoker. The smoke gets inside the electronics and coats the circuit board, causing it to fail after only a couple of years.

We are a smokeless home, but it does get daily use. The remote is used in the Living room, and not a lightly used Home Theater. However, I've had base DirectTV remotes used in another room with almost the same frequency for many years without any problems. Should I not expect a $400 (msrp) remote to be at least as good as a free DTV remote?

I also have a MX-700 that I've owned and used since 2003 and the buttons still work fine. You can see I've been a member on the forum since 2003, and that was when I bought the MX-700. Again, since the MX-700 has worked 8 years with no problems, why does the MX-900 wear out after two, in two separate cases???

Not trying to argumentative, since like I said, I really like the URC products, other than the button problems with the MX-900. In fact, if I could get the software I would be willing to try another model.

I was just trying to point out that many others have had the same problem. Besides the other thread, look at the Amazon reviews about the worn out keys.

[Link: amazon.com]

Another non-working mx-900 posted today:

[Link: remotecentral.com]