SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlit Button and Upgraded Scroll Wheel, All in One Universal Remote Control with App Control, Custom Macros for Smart TVs,Sound Bar, DVD/Blu-ray Players and More

As a former harmony enthusiast, when that company was eaten by Logitech and failed to update their product, I was pretty pessimistic about the future of universal remotes. For years, I just went back to having multiple remotes and with the advent of HDMI control. It wasn’t that bad however, whenever I wanted to change the settings of the picture or sound, which I do quite a bit, I was back to remote flipping. I honestly didn’t think a general universal remote could come close to what Harmony did so. I waited and waited. And then came the ultra expensive options (yikes). I knew that as good as those were, the amount of time would take to program them and set them up was going to be exhausting. I started to see positive reviews on sofa batons U1 so when the U2 came out, I still waited but eventually I just picked one up. With the improved back lighting and standard AA batteries, I knew they were on the right track. It only took me one session to get everything set up. My initial thought was “no activities”!? But I realized there was macros, and you could assign any button to any device Overriding any function on a set of custom remotes, which is honestly better in some ways and, more important, simpler. It’s really up to you to decide how you want to use things. One thing I will recommend is Define one button cross all devices (I use the input button) to use as a “fix it button” that will reapply the proper inputs and your preferred sound mode in case things get messed up or don’t complete. I was able to do that and many more things, even with the simpler architecture of the SofaBaton. As far as device button database is exhaustive, but fairly easy to search and find your devices as long as you know the model numbers. The remote supports infrared, unfortunately many devices nowadays use some form of RF and this just isn’t supported also with Bluetooth now becoming a standard in remote control that can make things a little bit difficult. So it will depend on how many of your devices use traditional infrared control, but I was able to get Apple TV working with Bluetooth and all my other devices through infrared very well As far as improvements, it would be nice to back up not only your device buttons, but your macros and everything but at least they have a backup function in case you need to reset the remote. But without the macros being saved, it seems kind of half solution. The only other improvement I could think of would be Support for a wider range, remote control like the aforementioned RF remotes and more than one blue Ray remote. That’s probably a bit too much to ask for and such as a simple device. But as far as infrared controls, it really seems complete and I couldn’t think of any major improvements.

I was a big fan of the old Logitech Harmony Remotes. But since they no longer make them I decided to give this one a try. I didn’t give it 5 stars because of some minor nit picks. Overall it’s a decent remote. It does the job even though it doesn’t have the other features the higher tier model has. Such as an Activity option, for selecting one action to perform functions for multiple devices. Pros: 1 - simple layout of buttons and easy enough to use for my 8yr old. 2 - wide selection of codes to work with newer and older electronics. 3 - somewhat easy setup: I’ll explain why in the cons section 4 - strong enough IR signal that it can read through my entertainment center doors 5 - Bluetooth option. Was very helpful when linking to my Apple TV. I found that it was the easiest way for the remote to link up. 6 - size and weight are just right. Not overly big or heavy. Cons: 1 - no ability to control multiple devices with one setting (like and activity setting on old harmony remotes). I’ve had both styles of harmony remotes - a WiFi one that was also liked to an App that could also work as a remote…. AND…. I’ve also had another IR type remote that had the ability to use activity settings. Both obviously had different pricing just like the SofaBaton. So I guess you get what you pay for. 2 - the setup was not very easy at first. Don’t use the paper instructions. Watch the video tutorials. It will make it much simpler. Also, I had problems setting up my Apple TV via IR settings and ended up having to use the Bluetooth option. Super minor but worth mentioning. 3 - there is a delayed response sometimes when using the remote with your device. Not annoying enough to return it but it does take some getting used to. Again you get what you pay for. I’m sure the more expensive version doesn’t have this problem. In summary, it’s not a harmony remote. And you could buy a cheaper universal remote and get a similar performance. But I did that prior to getting this one and I’m actually happy I decided to go with this one. Just go into knowing it’s not going to be perfect and you’ll enjoy it as well. Realistically no remote is going to satisfy everyone’s expectations. I would buy it again.

This remote is exactly what I needed. My Sony Bravia TV remote stopped supporting my TiVo. I used the app to program this remote for both the TV and the TiVo and then was able to assign simple macros to switch between the GoogleTV and the HDMI port for the TiVo and then change the “mode” of the remote. Finally I tweaked a few buttons to map to the TV while in TiVo mode. It’s perfect all around. My use was fairly straightforward but you can do fairly complex things with this remote - any button can be reconfigured to another button from any other remote in the database or any remote you can “learn” from. It also supports Bluetooth, but I didn’t try using the remote with Bluetooth to the TV. The app worked easily on my iPhone - aid say my whole setup was less than 30 minutes to finish.

What a joke. I returned this junk in record time. In addition to the mention requirement of setting up an account (that was with me), they require you to have your phone on with location. Not general, but EXACT location. What possible reason would they need that info?! They blatantly (probably because the have to) tell you that they will sell this data to third parties. Unreal. The remote itself is not the replacement you want if you come from harmony remotes. Harmony makes it so easy to setup your situation. not here. No way to download software to your computer. Nope, complex setup via yet ANOTHER app for you phone. I returned mine and am going with another option, not sofabatron. No real easy option to hit a button and have everything setup for you. You have to do macros that won't be labeled on your remote. "Activities" on the harmony remote. Basically, this is just a bunch of remotes in one remote and you have to turn on everything yourself one by and one and set your inputs. F-