Alignment of the hubs is crucial

On the same day after the announcement of the device (that was in April '13) was for me a clear my Logitech Harmony One gets four years for a successor. As Logitech end of May also a minus 30% offered action on almost all devices in the online store, I ordered. For 90 euros you can go wrong when Harmony SmartControl set anything.

--- --- Unpacking
About three weeks later delivered from Logitech finally. It was a portrait format black box. After cutting through two seals could remove the hub and the remote control. The first surprise was the size of the remote control. It is extremely flat and it can be personalized with a hand reach all the buttons. The amount is comparable to a large smartphone. Here also a microUSB cable was (thus, the stroke can be configured on the computer) and a power plug with two adapters. An additional infrared transmitter was also present, making it possible to extend the range of the stroke, or head for the devices are not within sight of the stroke.

--- Installation ---
Both Android and iOS I had installed the app in advance. With Android, it is the "Harmony Ultimate" app in iOS you simply looking for Harmony. Even the iPad runs the app, here you have to find on the iPhone apps switch. Who has an old iPod Touch, this upgrade may be a remote control, because even in this running the app.

The first time the app is looking for a stroke. These Bluetooth must be active and the Sync button to be pressed on the back of the stroke. After that, the wireless network is selected for the hub, as this is the exclusive communication between app and stroke. That means no Wi-Fi network at home, the Harmony SmartControl set will not function. After configuring no Bluetooth is required, even if additional devices to access their apps on the Hub.

The nice thing about Logitech is that is thought of everything. I already had an elaborate Harmony configuration that could be taken even via App.

A bit annoying were the favorite stations. Besides the fact that you can not just skip this step, the channels were not automatically ranked according to the channel number. I for ORF 1 HD 1 and awarded for the RTL 20, RTL-1 Icon HD was still ranked ahead of ORF. On the positive side, however, that almost all stations have a logo. In older Harmony devices you had to yourself looking graphics on the net. The order of the channels can then be made on the fly. This has, however, with me only works on Android, iOS at this was not possible. The most sensible and convenient it is to do this online at myharmony.com.

The supplied remote control should - be linked - if one wants to use them. For this purpose again on the stroke press the Sync button (to the hub, the red light flashes) and then the key combination hold on the remote control menu and silently pressed. If the stroke is green, the coupling was successful. According to Logitech, the button battery holds (CR2032) in about one year. Communicates is also here on the radio, which means you can also from other rooms the units on and off (the app also because here the connection via Wi-Fi works).

--- Does not the manual says ---
Besides the fact that the manual should not be referred to as such (except for the most important steps is not much in it), there are a few things that should be considered:

.) If one has an exotic device (usual suspect is the set-top box) and does not find it in the Logitech database should definitely be tried a search engine to find a similar brand device. Anyway Most exotics are based on brand appliances. If all else fails, the Hub can learn IR commands. For this you have to go but myharmony.com. Via App is not possible.
.) Myharmony.com is a nice thing, if it were not for the limitation with the browsers. On Mac you have to work with the Safari and install Silverlight.
.) A Note If you're planning switching of multiple devices is not working in an action: you can adjust the delay times and prolonged transmission times. This do best together with the telephone Logitech Support. I was helped competently repeatedly in the past.

--- Important point: the orientation ---
One of the key points is actually the orientation of the stroke. My set-top box - which is a rarity - would be properly served. This means that the infrared signal at the right angle and does not need to be broadcast to distant. That is when even a device does not work, be sure to test the stroke at several positions. The Hub incidentally does not have to look to the future, it's even better when it is turned slightly sideways. If it still does not work (because two devices are too far apart), the hub on the back has two connections for additional stations. These have the sense that devices can be operated behind a cupboard door, etc.. This is the same infrared transmitter for the radio receiver as the Harmony 900 (cost 2 euros in Logitech parts store).

--- Conclusion ---
Only after I had the stroke properly aligned, the set works absolutely perfectly. Although the provided remote control has no button illumination, but does exactly what it should. Missing actually gave me only the Help button that repeats the last signal. But you can repeat a signal via the app in individual units, hence no problem. I have not been tested the functionality with PS3 and Wii (both devices have not). From me, there are a total of five stars because at last the time has come that one does not need a single remote control.

--- Extra ---
It was posted that the Harmony SmartControl set compares with the infrared transmitter of modern smartphones in a review a comment. I've been using the Galaxy S4 to operate as a modern smartphone and I have both the Samsung "WatchON" app and the paid "Smart Remote" app tries TV / receiver / Blu-ray player / set-top box. It fails repeatedly because the Apps not only the exotic missing, but also popular devices. In addition, you can not learn the S4 (the Xperia Tablet Z is different) infrared commands. Thus, one has to rely on the database of the app maker. In addition, the transmission via infrared and not via radio to work.

If questions have arisen, just post a comment.