Reddit reviews Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App

This is my typical copied and pasted answer which has evolved over the last year or two. We're finishing the obnoxious details on a full century old gut job that we did mostly ourselves and I've learned a ton. Anywhere you see Cat5, simply replace it with Cat6. I used 5 in some places because I had it lying around, but if you're gonna buy a couple thousand feet of Cat6 it won't be that much more. Also, ignore the non networking line items if you want.

• A secondary 5x18 thermostat wire to the second floor in case I want to do dual zone heating/cooling
  
• Wires for wireless access points on every floor and in every room you could possibly want them in. - - - Remember, you don't have to give them a plate but at least run them and take detailed notes/photos/videos of where they are.
  
• Multiple Cat5 (because I had it lying around), Cat6 and coax in all bedrooms and anywhere I thought I might need them. If they're there and you don't need them, all you have is a switch plate cover. If you don't have them, you have a solid multiple hours worth of frustrating work.
  
• Power lines, coax and cat6 for security cameras if you think you'd like to install them at some point.
  
• Power and control lines (I used 5/18g thermostat wire) for automated/motorized blinds. Again, you can hide these and use them later if you want.
  
• A centralized "home run" for all the wiring. All my network and coax lines converge on one place in the basement. Don't be stingy with the cable lengths either. Chances are you're buying Cat6 in 1000 foot spools. You'll have spare....
  
• If you're into home automation at all you might look into running low voltage lines or network lines to various places.
  
  Just for your home run network cabinet:
  
  
• Network Switch
  
• Network attached storage or two
  
• Home control module
  
• PC or two (I currently have 3 wired)
  
• DVR for security camera system
  -Sonos sound bridge
  
• Ethernet ready IR repeaters (Harmony Elite)
  
• TV DVR/Network Box
  
• Smart TV (assume one for each room)
  
• XBox/Ps4/Wii
  
• Chromecast/Chromecast Music
  
• Wireless Access points
  
• Home Theater A/V receiver
  
• Media server
  
  ....and that's just for the wiring. As far as the construction is concerned:
  
  
• Insulate between key interior walls and ceilings. Both of our bathrooms have fiberglass insulation inside them and I put the thick stuff in the ceiling of the livingroom as it's right above our bedroom. It makes a big difference in sound transfer. If you're worried about running future wiring, as many others have already said, just run conduit. Conduit and future proofing are cheap compared to the time it takes to snake a wire through an insulation filled wall.
  
  
• The concept of walls and doorways is fluid. Don't like a wall there? Throw up a header and knock it down. Want to move a doorway, frame it and move it. Framing is easy. The devil is in the details.
  
  
• Zoned HVAC. I'm not as enamored with mini split systems as some are. The efficiency of central heating/cooling is such that a properly designed system will offer as much efficiency and almost as much functionality with zoning.
  
  
• Air seal. I went overboard on insulation in some places but until I got down to business and foamed/caulked all the right joints our house was pretty drafty.
  
  
• You can never have too many outlets. I added more than I thought I'd need and I wish I had more.
  
  
• Run and cap a natural gas line to your BBQ area so you don't have to worry about propane tanks. Even if your new fangled gas oven won't work without electricity a grill just needs a piezo igniter and you're cookin.
  
  
• If you have the space/$$ get a natural gas backup generator. They're not all that expensive (compared to a fridge and freezer full of food even) and take little maintenance. Especially necessary if you're in an earthquake/tornado/ice prone area.
  
  
• Heated floors in the kitchen and bathroom. Most systems come with timers and schedules just like a thermostat. Many people spend multiple hours a day in the kitchen and there's nothing quite like a pre-heated bathroom floor first thing in the morning.
  
  
• If you're redoing yard completely, consider where you'd like to have extra hose lines. Trenching with a trencher is easy and might keep you from having hoses all over the lawn.
  
  
• Same goes for low voltage lines for landscaping lights. I know most of them are solar these days, but with led lighting so cheap it won't hurt to run low voltage line through a conduit for lighting, security systems, automated watering systems, or whatever you want.
  
  
  
  I'm sure there's plenty more depending on the person/family.

You would be correct about the Elite version; it's the remote control that's the focus and it comes with a touchscreen at the top.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Elite-Remote-Control/dp/B014PDFP9S

(We utilize affiliate links on our site, however this is the regular link and not an affiliate one)

As for the Companion, that one comes with a remote that has a few extra buttons on it to control home automation scenes quickly.

The version that Best Buy has on sale today just comes with a very simplistic remote without the home automation scene buttons.

You have 3 options.

First is just the hub with no physical remote. There’s a smartphone app that has to be used to control everything.

Harmony Home Hub https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q.

Second is the hub with what they call a “simple remote”. The simple remote is a physical remote that can control up to 8 devices and 6 activities. This is the version I use and highly recommend. The remote actually has a very good build quality and I like it better than the fancy remote because it’s battery lasts forever and it’s much more durable so not a big deal if my kid drops it.

Harmony Companion Remote https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4G.

This last one comes with the hub and the high end elite remote. The elite remote can control more devices and activities than the simple remote but most people won’t need it. It also has a customizable touch screen that you can program to do whatever you want.


Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub & App https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014PDFP9S

No matter which of those 3 options you get it’s the exact same hub and the smart phone app works for all of them. The physical remote is the only difference.

Get a Harmony Elite if you can (I know, the price). I started on the Harmony One and couldn't look back.

Ok, so if you want to control just the tv and sound and the shield I'd suggest the Harmony 650. Cheap and effective.

I'm not really familiar with harmony's other smart features, but my guess is you'd need the hub.
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Elite-Remote-Control/dp/B014PDFP9S/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503938792&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=harmony+hub&psc=1

I have a basic version of the hub with a more basic remote. The hub is very nice to have.

There's the HUB, with the elite remote. Works great and can be controlled from your phone. But I believe it's still only controls IR device with a little bit of Bluetooth thrown in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014PDFP9S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Elite-Remote-Control/product-reviews/B014PDFP9S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_srt?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

Will this affect my Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, and Hub? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014PDFP9S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The entire hub here? https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Elite-Remote-Control/dp/B014PDFP9S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521916503&sr=8-3&keywords=harmony+elite

Or just a specific remote?

Lights: I prefer switches over smart bulbs. I have a lot of the GE toggle and dimmer switches.

Entertainment: Logitech Harmony remote with the hub integrates well. If their setup is simple, the Companion is decent. If it is more complicated you might want something with a screen like the Elite

Security: I think Ring is more open, Google seems to be locking nest down so it doesn't integrate with other things as well.

Additional things: Look into getting a fire tablet and running Action Tiles. I like it to see the status of everything and know what is on/off at a glance. Thermostat, Smart locks, garage door opener, sensors on other doors/windows are other things that can be added in the future.