One For All Kameleon URC-9960 LCD Touchscreen Remote Control
- Type: Universal Learning
- Universal Remote Control Type: Learning
- Broadcasting Type: IR
- Devices Controlled: 8
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Innovative design that's easy to use
Pros
Animated icons, changing display for relevant buttons, program-by-phone, motion-sensitive display, thin body.
Cons
Strange programming codes for common functions, brightness adjustments ineffective, eats batteries, not useful for receivers.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Easy for most people to use and has cool features but don't lose that manual!
This review is for the Radio Shack version of this remote which uses the same technology but looks slightly different. The main difference is that the Radio Shack version is uniformly rectangular and extremely thin. It's so thin that it's roughly the thickness of a typical magazine.
It seems that all the reviews here address how cool the remote is, what it looks like, etc. Rather than dish out the same thing everybody else is saying, I'll try to cover the finer points some people missed.
What makes this remote so special?
For starters, OneForAll has an extensive database of codes from their massive line of $20 remotes with cheesy big buttons. Obviously, the remote is unique for it's ability to display only the buttons which are relevant. Now let's get down to the nitty gritty...
Simple setup
It's simple to initially setup the remote because you just look-up your codes and enter them one by one. This worked fantastic.
Unusual codes picked for modifying typical functions
I don't know what the programmers were smoking when they chose the codes for simple functions but maybe they think/speak/write in binary and came up with the wacky and unintuitive method of programming simple things. For example, to adjust the brightness of the remote, you must enter the code "974" after entering programming mode. What the $@#% is 974 and why would you select such a random code for something that would obviously be accessed frequently (especially when you're at the end of your battery life). The same applies for other various programing functions like programming macros which requires some other random code. Here's a tip: how about 000 or 999 or anything else! And don't lose that manual because you'll never figure out how to change certain functions without the remote manual.
Brightness level is simply not very adjustable.
There are probably 5-10 levels of adjustment in the brightness and the extremes of these levels is barely noticeable, if at all.
Missing key functions/buttons
I programmed my receiver into the remote and it worked fine. What I didn't realize until later is that some of the keys are just strange and take some getting used to. To switch my receiver's function from TV to DVD, I have to press "8". Unless I memorize that or fiddle through numerous other trial and error functions, it's not a very good way to go about it. The remote could have easily anticipated this and at least put in a function which sequentially selects each function, or even better, a direct button.
Remote won't let you program some keys
There are some keys where you really want to program it for your device but the remote has blacked it out becuase it was deemed not relevant or not applicable. The problem is that the remote assumes each template is the same for each type of device and does not allow the user to individually customize each template by "reviving" buttons which may work for you.
Learning Mode
Indeed the remote allows for learning commands which were left out of the template. OneForAll anticipated we would be frustrated for losing certain buttons but again, the programming is limited.
Phone Updates!
Yes that's right. This remote is ready for all your new devices even if you don't own them yet! If you purchase that crazy new tuner/tv/etc and your remote simply does not know what it is, you can call up OneForAll and ask them for the code. This is nothing for most remotes because they just give you a code to enter. However, this remote is unique because all you have to do is hold the remote up the phone to program it! That's a "WOW" factor for me. This is also a great tool if you ever lose that manual.
Ok... now for all the gripes everyone mentioned:
Sensitivity
The remote is motion-sensitive so whenever you touch it, it lights up. This is great initially but it really does need an adjustment. If you're anything like me, I clutch the remote almost the whole time I'm watching tv. If i'm not clutching, it's chillin next to me. Either way, the remote pretty much lights up the whole time in both of those scenarios.
Battery Life
I haven't had the remote long enough to gripe about the batery life but I'm sure the other reviewers here are on the money when they say this thing eats up batteries like crazy. The backlit display is obviously the cause of this problem but to the credit of Kameleon/Radio Shack, there is still an internal battery apart from the 4 AAA's which helps the remote retain your memories even if you are switching batteries.
Questionable durability
I'm skeptical about how long this remote will last. I'm a firm believer that examining the condition of floor models will reveal a lot about a product's durability. Floor models are beat up on a daily basis and truly get broken-in quickly. If you start seeing buttons broken, things ripped off, and other defective parts, there's a pretty good chance it'll happen to you after a few years. That being said, when i saw the remote in the glass case at Radio Shack, it was very different. Normally, the color of the remote is usually a dark blue which contrasts very nicely with the light blue color for the buttons when lit. The display model remote had faded and was severely discolored into a turqouise. With that color, it was IMPOSSIBLE to see the backlit buttons. I'm not sure what caused this discoloration. I would assume sunlight will cause this problem but it wasn't in the sun. My only guess is constant use and/or fluorescent lights. Whatever the case, I really am concerned mine will look like that and be useless. I sure hope OneForAll's warranty covers discoloration.
The Bottomline: This is still the coolest remote I've seen in a long long time. My other choice was to buy the Sony RM-AV3000. The Sony is a great remote but I just didn't want to spend all my time learning to program the remote, I didn't like how bulky it was, and the touch screen display on the Sony was just too delicate. At the same time, I didn't want to have to explain to guests how to use the entertainment system each time they picked up the remote. The design of the Kameleon is intuitive enough that anyone can pick it up and turn on the power at the very minimum. The animated icons are effective in directing users to these keys prior to selecting any functions. Sure, the remote suffers from some problems but in all, I'm still very happy with this purchase and even purchase another one as a gift for x-mas.
It seems that all the reviews here address how cool the remote is, what it looks like, etc. Rather than dish out the same thing everybody else is saying, I'll try to cover the finer points some people missed.
What makes this remote so special?
For starters, OneForAll has an extensive database of codes from their massive line of $20 remotes with cheesy big buttons. Obviously, the remote is unique for it's ability to display only the buttons which are relevant. Now let's get down to the nitty gritty...
Simple setup
It's simple to initially setup the remote because you just look-up your codes and enter them one by one. This worked fantastic.
Unusual codes picked for modifying typical functions
I don't know what the programmers were smoking when they chose the codes for simple functions but maybe they think/speak/write in binary and came up with the wacky and unintuitive method of programming simple things. For example, to adjust the brightness of the remote, you must enter the code "974" after entering programming mode. What the $@#% is 974 and why would you select such a random code for something that would obviously be accessed frequently (especially when you're at the end of your battery life). The same applies for other various programing functions like programming macros which requires some other random code. Here's a tip: how about 000 or 999 or anything else! And don't lose that manual because you'll never figure out how to change certain functions without the remote manual.
Brightness level is simply not very adjustable.
There are probably 5-10 levels of adjustment in the brightness and the extremes of these levels is barely noticeable, if at all.
Missing key functions/buttons
I programmed my receiver into the remote and it worked fine. What I didn't realize until later is that some of the keys are just strange and take some getting used to. To switch my receiver's function from TV to DVD, I have to press "8". Unless I memorize that or fiddle through numerous other trial and error functions, it's not a very good way to go about it. The remote could have easily anticipated this and at least put in a function which sequentially selects each function, or even better, a direct button.
Remote won't let you program some keys
There are some keys where you really want to program it for your device but the remote has blacked it out becuase it was deemed not relevant or not applicable. The problem is that the remote assumes each template is the same for each type of device and does not allow the user to individually customize each template by "reviving" buttons which may work for you.
Learning Mode
Indeed the remote allows for learning commands which were left out of the template. OneForAll anticipated we would be frustrated for losing certain buttons but again, the programming is limited.
Phone Updates!
Yes that's right. This remote is ready for all your new devices even if you don't own them yet! If you purchase that crazy new tuner/tv/etc and your remote simply does not know what it is, you can call up OneForAll and ask them for the code. This is nothing for most remotes because they just give you a code to enter. However, this remote is unique because all you have to do is hold the remote up the phone to program it! That's a "WOW" factor for me. This is also a great tool if you ever lose that manual.
Ok... now for all the gripes everyone mentioned:
Sensitivity
The remote is motion-sensitive so whenever you touch it, it lights up. This is great initially but it really does need an adjustment. If you're anything like me, I clutch the remote almost the whole time I'm watching tv. If i'm not clutching, it's chillin next to me. Either way, the remote pretty much lights up the whole time in both of those scenarios.
Battery Life
I haven't had the remote long enough to gripe about the batery life but I'm sure the other reviewers here are on the money when they say this thing eats up batteries like crazy. The backlit display is obviously the cause of this problem but to the credit of Kameleon/Radio Shack, there is still an internal battery apart from the 4 AAA's which helps the remote retain your memories even if you are switching batteries.
Questionable durability
I'm skeptical about how long this remote will last. I'm a firm believer that examining the condition of floor models will reveal a lot about a product's durability. Floor models are beat up on a daily basis and truly get broken-in quickly. If you start seeing buttons broken, things ripped off, and other defective parts, there's a pretty good chance it'll happen to you after a few years. That being said, when i saw the remote in the glass case at Radio Shack, it was very different. Normally, the color of the remote is usually a dark blue which contrasts very nicely with the light blue color for the buttons when lit. The display model remote had faded and was severely discolored into a turqouise. With that color, it was IMPOSSIBLE to see the backlit buttons. I'm not sure what caused this discoloration. I would assume sunlight will cause this problem but it wasn't in the sun. My only guess is constant use and/or fluorescent lights. Whatever the case, I really am concerned mine will look like that and be useless. I sure hope OneForAll's warranty covers discoloration.
The Bottomline: This is still the coolest remote I've seen in a long long time. My other choice was to buy the Sony RM-AV3000. The Sony is a great remote but I just didn't want to spend all my time learning to program the remote, I didn't like how bulky it was, and the touch screen display on the Sony was just too delicate. At the same time, I didn't want to have to explain to guests how to use the entertainment system each time they picked up the remote. The design of the Kameleon is intuitive enough that anyone can pick it up and turn on the power at the very minimum. The animated icons are effective in directing users to these keys prior to selecting any functions. Sure, the remote suffers from some problems but in all, I'm still very happy with this purchase and even purchase another one as a gift for x-mas.
