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Sima SUR-20 LCD Touch Screen IR Remote

Sima SUR-20 LCD Touch Screen IR Remote

List Price: $99.99
Your Price: $61.41
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mucho bang for the buck.
Review: As other reviewers have said, this device has some small drawbacks, but considering what most manufacturers want for replacement remotes for current equipment, ($50 and up), it's a super value.

The only thing I would really change is the position of the signal transmitter. When I'm kicking back in my recliner, I've got to lift the unit so I can see the screen and put my thumb on the right button, before lowering it and aiming.

Or, heaven forbid, raise the recliner to upright position. What fun is that ?

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sima SUR-20 Universal Remote
Review: As your home theater system grows, so will the number of remotes. While you will know how it all works, your wife, your kids and visitors will be confused. It was my wife who pressured me to get a single, easy to use remote that would make basic operation possible when I was travelling or otherwise not at home. The touch screen devices were the only real choice, because they provided the key pad layout that changes to an intuitive layout for each device. I had been looking at the reviews for these types of remotes for some time, but most to them were priced for the high end. The high end is really, really nice...I just can't afford it. I was prepared to buy the Sony RM-AV2100 for $179.99, when I first saw the new RCA touch screen remote for $99.99. I tried to find some information about the RCA device, but there was none in the stores and nothing on the Internet. I was in Circuit City with my wife and had the Sony remote in my hand ready to pay, when my wife said, "What about this one?". It was the Sima remote for $99.99 with a manufacturer mail-in rebate for $30.00! The salesperson had one out and demonstrated its operation which seemed functional and intuitive. I put the Sony down and bought the Sima.

Let me give you the bad news first. It had a very, very limited number of programmable preset codes. The touch keys have only about 2 to 4 preset icons that can be displayed. This is limiting when designating an individual key to perform a device specific function. There is no clock, and macro programming such as "all on/off" require the use of a device key on the keypad.

But here is the good news. In spite of having a limited number of preset device codes, the Sima remote has a very easy to use learning mode that allows each touch key to be programmed from the original device remote in a quick, sequential manner that essentially eliminated the need for device codes. The ease of use in the learning mode made it easy to reprogram the keys until I thought it was in the most intuitve layout for myself and my wife, choosing whatever icons were available. The use of a device key for a macro was quite easy to work around, but I would have rather had a separate set of macro touch keys. I really liked the room light sensing, and the "touch on" for the keypad back lighting...the Sony remote does not have that feature!

Overall, I can highly recommend the Sima SUR-20 as a solution to the universal remote problem. It is has intuitive layouts and is easily programmed. As it turned out, I had to tell my wife how to use it over the phone, and she had no trouble! I didn't have a chance to checkout the RCA remote, but at $99.99 with a $30.00 rebate, the Sima SUR-20 could have been my highest value audio/video purchase ever...right at the brake in the price-performance curve!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great price for people like me
Review: I bought the SUR-20 to replace 4 separate remotes which couldn't be configured to operate any other components except the one they came with. The Sima's learning mode and configurable screens are great. My wife generally shy's away from new electronic devices, but as soon as I had the Sima up and operating my system she tried it and had no problems whatsoever. For what it can do with a small system, the price is unbeatable by anything I've seen.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This thing rocks!
Review: I really love this thing. My sister bought me a voice-controlled remote control for Christmas, which sounds like it would be so easy, but I haven't even opened it. It's very easy to get started and I had my whole system programmed, including "macros" (an advanced but super cool feature) in no time flat.

It also looks like, based on the similarity of the screens, that Sima probably OEM's similar items for Sony, but this one is half the price. If you don't need more than 8 devices (?!?!), don't even consider the Sony at twice the price.

The other nice thing is that there are so many default buttons to choose from, matching what's availble from the built in defaults button labels to what's actually on your remote is a cinch. With that said, the only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of five would be for the one missing feature that would put this over the top: Fully customizable buttons that can be called what YOU want them to be called and be as big as you want the to be, instead of having to choose from single sized built-in defaults, as copius a selection as they are.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Okay
Review: I wanted a universal touch screen remote for two main reasons, the touch screen function and to replace my Dish Network remote, which is unreliable. The Sima remote was just "okay" in both cases. The touch screen is not very consistent as far as sensitivity is concerned, nor is the lighting effective. The Satelite remote capabilities are limited, in that the program, review, and other buttons are not readilly transferable to the universal.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good basic controller
Review: It is a little limited in the layout of the buttons. You can customize some. For the money this is a lot of remote. It can do everything I need it too.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sima SUR-20 LCD Touch Screen IR Remote
Review: Let me start by saying if you have a new system... it will not work. Yes you can "teach" it with the remote however, it will not have the same buttons I.E. the menu button.
Secondly, half the buttons do not work. If i push 3 i get 6.. if i turn off the tv i cannot turn it back on. When i called sima they told me it is because i have a new tv and surround sound system. HOW LAME IS THAT? Further more, they wanted ME to foot the bill for the new one. I DON'T THINK SO!
Another lame problem with this thing is batteries. Make sure you have ton on hand.
also, it weighs about a 1lb so it doesnt fit comfortable in your hand.
Don't waste your money on this thing... believe me you will get more use if you open the window and throw 69.99 plus shipping out of it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This remote STINKS!
Review: Let me start by saying if you have a new system... it will not work. Yes you can "teach" it with the remote however, it will not have the same buttons I.E. the menu button.
Secondly, half the buttons do not work. If i push 3 i get 6.. if i turn off the tv i cannot turn it back on. When i called sima they told me it is because i have a new tv and surround sound system. HOW LAME IS THAT? Further more, they wanted ME to foot the bill for the new one. I DON'T THINK SO!
Another lame problem with this thing is batteries. Make sure you have ton on hand.
also, it weighs about a 1lb so it doesnt fit comfortable in your hand.
Don't waste your money on this thing... believe me you will get more use if you open the window and throw 69.99 plus shipping out of it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: SUR-20 Reivew. Great Unit!
Review: Pros:
* With the touch of one button, my TV and Amp switch to Video 2, and the play button is pressed on the DVD player, thanks to the easy to program macro's.

* Great display, easy to read and operate ESPECIALLY in the dark.

* Flat panel eliminates worn or sticky buttons. Finger prints on the flat panel are invisible at night. True, you have to look at the buttons to operate the unit, but at least you can see them.

* Easy to program and use.

General comment:
I was a bit disappointed when the directions said not to program different components on the same screen. Since I listen to movies through the stereo I didn't want to have to switch from "DVD" to "Amp" to control the volume. After ignoring the advice of the book and programming my DVD layout volume buttons to control my AMP, I am happy to say, I am not having any problems with this. I concluded that this warning is probably to discourage novice users from screwing up while in the learning mode.

Cons:
* Flat panel seems more fragile. I wouldn't sit on it or drop it.
* You cannot name any button anything you wish. You have to pick from a pre-selected list for each button. Therefore you have to be flexible on button assignment.
Each button has 5 or 6 possible descriptions available, you may find yourself having to
compromise on button names. Example. The play and mute names are on the same button choice. On my VCR screen layout, I wanted to have a mute button, however it was already assigned as the play button. I ended up having to create a "blank" button and I use that for mute.

Recommendation:
I would recommend this device for the small to average home theater / stereo configuration. If you have big time system with lots of components, I would suggest that you invest in a ...unit which offers more flexibility with button naming and placement.
The device is a bit front heavy due to the batteries (4 AAA) and because it's very smooth it can slip out of your hands. I would be cautious of using around hard floors.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good remote at an affordable price
Review: Pros:
Learnable
Can control many devices
Macro possible
Easy to use
Good back-light
Extremely good value

Cons:
Bottons not so customizable (choice of icons are limited)

Conclusion:
Cannot complain about the cons because of it's amazing price

Highly recommended


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