- Harmony RF Wireless Extender

The Logitech Harmony RF Wireless Extender allows your RF-equipped Harmony Remote (the 890, 895 or new 1000) to control components without having an IR "line of sight" to the components. One RF Wireless Extender is included with the Harmony 890, but it is unfortunately not included with the Harmony 1000. Make no mistake, this device is an absolute REQUIREMENT for any large room or complex setup. In my configuration, the Harmony 1000 didn't have the strength to power all of my components through IR from 20 feet distance. The RF extender solved this problem, and now I can control my entire setup even from another room. One RF Wireless Extender can control up to 8 components within the line of sight of the unit, or within line of sight of the 8 included IR emitters. You can add multiple extenders to your configuration if you have components in different rooms or areas that could not be served by one unit. Annoyingly, even if you have more than 8 components within the reach of the unit or the emitters the Harmony software won't let you assign more than 8 devices to a single extender. IMPORTANT: You should try to setup and verify your Harmony configuration using IR-only if possible before adding the extender, even if you have to sit near your components or have cabinet doors open. This is because the Harmony software makes you connect and disconnect both the extender (which must be unplugged from AC power) and the remote each time you make a change. Setting up the Harmony first, by itself, with IR is much easier to make changes to the configuration. After verifying I could control my components using IR-only, I added the RF Wireless Extender to my setup. The Harmony software updated to the latest firmware, and I have had no problems configuring it using both Mac OS X and Windows clients. Setup is very easy. If all of your components are behind a cabinet, you can simply mount this "blaster" unit inside, at least 10 inches from the front of your components. Or, you can attach the 8 included wired emitters (in 4 pairs of 2) near the IR receivers of each component. The wires for each of the 4 pairs are roughly 7 feet long, splitting into 2 emitters that must be placed within 25 inches of each other. Also good to note is that the tape is strong enough to attach to your component, but not strong enough to leave any residue should you need to remove them. Within the Harmony setup, you then assign each component to either IR or RF Extender control. Optionally, you can assign each component to a channel (A,B,C,D,blaster) which corresponds to the 4 sets of 2 wired emitters and base, or all channels which sends all commands to all emitters. I chose to specifically assign each component to its channel, which seems to give better performance. (TIP: label your emitter wires!) Once configured, you connect the RF Extender and the Harmony Remote to your computer to download the configuration. Then, you must plug the RF Extender into the wall, and optionally attach the IR emitter wires. The Harmony remote must initially be "paired" with the RF Extender, which is done by pressing the "Connect" button on the extender, and following the prompts on your remote. Operation was flawless. I could control all components from around my house! And, the performance of startup was much faster, I believe because I had assigned each component to a specific channel on the extender. In my configuration, I was pleasantly surprised to find the RF extender is fast enough to send the repeated command sequences needed to accelerate up and down through the menus in my AppleTV. Great job, Logitech! If there was one area where Logitech could make improvements it would be the supplied documentation, which attempts to be user friendly but in the process is so oversimplified it is of little use. Since Amazon doesn't allow half-star increments, I stand by my 5-star review, documentation withstanding. Based on the large number of problems people had when this was first released a year ago, I was expecting issues, but it would appear that the latest firmware (RF Extender v2.4, Harmony 890 v4.7) and Harmony client software (v7.0.2) have resolved all issues for both Mac OS X and Windows users. All in all, a highly recommended product - and a great value bundled with the matching Harmony 890 (see my review there). I have since upgraded to the Harmony 1000, but kept this extender to use with it. It's a shame that Logitech doesn't include the extender with the 1000, as it really is a requirement. I would recommend this without hesitation.

I was a little cautious when deciding to purchase the 890, which comes with the RF Extender as a package, based on several of the reviews which indicated how difficult it was to disconnect the extender once set up to reprogram. The IR modules and power cord wires now have connectors to the base unit so disconnecting is now a snap. Earlier reviews implied this was not the case, so appears Logitech has been listening! As has been mentioned in many places, documentation is pretty much worthless. For a novice, it isn't clear, for example, that you can plug in the IR remotes and attach them to any component without additional programming. The RF Extender simply transmits the same signals to all IR devices at the same time - duh! I had to fumble a bit to get the 890 to talk to the RF extender - again, a little documentation would have been helpful here as the 890 display scripts weren't much help in this step. I didn't quite come to the point of calling tech support, but came close. Finally, while the RF Extender can support up to 8 devices, it does so with four pairs of IR remotes. There are two IR modules attached to the end of the wire. You can split these about two feet apart. I haven't seen any issue with how well they attach. The glue seemed pretty strong - especially if you use the one inch square mounting pads. The only problem I had was accidently running one wire over my CD player tray. I had to remove the wire and come down from the top of the player. Removing the IR pad was not easy, so doubt they would come detached on their own. Now the best part. Once it was connected and talking to the 890, it works flawlessly! I can point the remote anywhere, keep it tucked under a blanket if it's cold, if I'm behind furniture, from the kitchen about 30 feet away - it just works! I'll be buying a Harmony 1000 and RF Extender for my elderly in-laws next, who are having trouble remembering how to switch between watching a movie and then watching TV. 1/30/08 Update: Just purchased the RF Extender with the Harmony 1000. Note the Harmony 1000 doesn't come with the RF Extender - it must be purchased seperately, unlike the Harmony 890. When purchasing the RF Extender seperately, the power cord did not come with a connector near the base unit like it did when shipped with the 890. I'd find it hard to believe Logitech would be shipping different versions of the RF Extender, so surmise they must be transitioning their stock now. Beware, at least in the short term, you might get the power connector or might not. Also, when purchasing the RF Extender by itself, it did not come with the one inch square pads to help secure the IR emitters. These came with 890 kit. Hopfully this is a transition in stock issue. 2/12/08 Update: I'll write another review on the Harmony 1000. It has had serious problems staying connected to the RF Extender. One day it works, the next day it stops broadcasting. Returned to Amazon for replacement (which was excellent service by Amazon!). Got the replacement and I've seen one instance of the Harmony 1000 stop broadcasting with the RF extender already. I have to pop the battery out and re-insert to reboot the 1000. Then it works again. Quite a shame as the unit otherwise seemed to be working for my elderly in-laws. Note this appears to be a problem with the Harmony 1000, not the RF Extender!

If you own the Harmony 1000, this is a very nice way to make additional use of its many functions. It works very well out of the box provided you follow the sometimes complex instructions with the Harmony 1000. I haven't determined yet whether it is the extender's fault or the remote's fault, but when using the remote there are times when my Tivo and my DirecTV PVR's receive incorrect or multiple signals. In other words, it's like you've double or triple tapped the function button. Also, if you want to control the TV and the infrared port on the TV is in a conspicuous place, you have to figure out a way to hide the cable going to the extender or it is just plain ugly hanging off the front of the TV. (I was able to do this by folding the cable under the black bezel of my TV and using black electrical tape.) Maybe nit picking, but just somethings to know. Overall, so far - so good.