One For All Kameleon URC-9960 LCD Touchscreen Remote Control
- Type: Universal Learning
- Universal Remote Control Type: Learning
- Broadcasting Type: IR
- Devices Controlled: 8
Available From
Why are these offers here?
Lowest Price!
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Kameleon Universal remote control The cool gift for the gadget nerd
Pros
slick looks, face changes to suit gear, easy to program. Home theater mode kicks ass.
Cons
battery life, battery life, and..... battery life.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
4.5 stars. Would have been a perfect score if not for the battery life/light trigger. Larger AA batteries would have helped this issue.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[UPDATE]
It's April 2006, and the touch pad is finally starting to fail. I must press hard to get some keys to send a signal, and it's starting to get tough to use. However, after 2 years and a few months of heavy use everyday, that's not too bad. I'd buy another like it, or whatever the new model is.
--------------------------------------------------------------
This gadget guru has been putting off the purchase of a proper (and usually expensive) universal remote for years. There never really was one that I felt was worthy of the price. I always had a problem with the two types that exist. You have the traditional remote, usually with back-lit keys, ability to control several devices, learn IR codes of other remotes etc. These usually run between $29 and $79. Then you have what I refer to as the 'monster' remotes. These behemoths are usually large, square, LCD screened, and sport some kind of Indiglo scheme, these usually run $125 to $200.
Why I never broke down and parted with my dough
I never liked the expensive traditional back-lit remotes because no matter how hard the designers tried, they were a pain to configure with your particular set-up. The large and rather pricey LCD screen remotes had the advantage of not having keys. With an actual screen, the 'keys' can display differently for each device chosen. So things are more flexible, and more features are usually on board as well. The downside is, who in the hell wants to hold a gigantic remote like this? A tiny "egg" remote for channel clicking is a must have companion to these monstrosities. So never being happy with what was out there, I got by with cheaper universal remotes waiting until someone got it right (or close to it).
Enter the Kameleon by One For All
Well, I have to be honest, no research was involved here, I stumbled onto this slick little remote. There I was a the electronics mega chain, wandering over to the area where the universal remotes are kept. I visit such stores at least once a week, and I always check hoping to spot something new. And there it was, the Kameleon. It spoke to me right through its crystal clear box, Tony....... come on over and pick me up...... In case you are wondering why remotes never talk to you, it's because you don't speak Nerd. This thing looks like alien technology meets those Nike shoes that don't have laces. Imagine one of those $49 universal remotes with a thin aluminum trim around the edge and a sweet rubber coated back (no cheap plastic-y feel) and an inky blue, featureless area where the keys should go. Where are the keys? This blue area is too dark to be a screen, so what in the hell is it?
It's all about picking the thing up
The Kameleon comes to life when you pick it up, and suddenly all of your questions are answered. The large dark blue area suddenly becomes the dark back-drop to a kind of intense Indiglo on 'tracks' (One for all calls this Electro-luminescent). These tracks are the various keys that make up most universal remote layouts. Seconds after putting the Kameleon back down, the face returns to its inky blue face. The advantage over traditional back-lit remotes is that the keys are lit up evenly. Back-lit remotes are usually lit up by led's and usually only a few are available to light all of the keys. Unlike remotes with real keys, the Kameleon remote can change its face to some degree, giving it some of the advantage that large and bulky LCD remotes enjoy. The Kameleon shuts off the light to keys in groups that aren't normally associated with a particular component. This keeps the face nice and clean looking without sacrificing flexibility.
Programming
This is where the Kameleon shines, literally. Rather that hold a large telephone book of instructions trying to custom program your remote, the Kameleon makes it so much easier. Instead, all you have to learn here is how to get into the program function, (and the code for your particular device) and the Kameleon will kill all the keys except the two or three that you need to choose. The Kameleon will light the way for the all the following choices/steps. This is totally impossible on traditional back-lit remotes as the keys are not lit individually. The Kameleon has an incredibly large library of codes built in, so it should control ghetto equipment like Quasar and Curtis Mathis, to high-end stuff like California Audio Labs, Tascam and Krell. Just in case you do own a piece of gear the Kameleon can't control not to worry the Kameleon has a built in modem (underneath the face near the top) and new codes can be entered by calling One For All. How cool is that?
So what can this thing do?
Just a few of the key features. It can control 8 devices (plus home theater mode, more on that later). These 8 devices are titled CD, TV, DVD, Music (picture of a speaker) VCR, PVR, (personal video recorder) cable/sat dish and Auxiliary (for whatever). It can 'learn' IR codes from any remote you own, and it has 4 separate macros. It can retrieve upgrades over the phone with a built in modem for new codes/equipment. After programing your TV, DVD, and receiver into the Kameleon for example, there is a ninth icon a little surround sound speaker set-up circling around a little Lazy Boy chair.
When it comes time to program that icon, the Kameleon will "ask" you (by lighting the appropriate keys) what device the volume will be tied to (the receiver) the play, FF, RR (the DVD) and so on. After you are finished, all of your various components will be mixed into this one screen so that you won't have to change between devices for home movie watching. This is truly a blessing, and it couldn't be easier. You can also assign your own functions to particular keys as well. For example, I have on the 'music' icon programmed a combination of my receiver functions (volume, input etc) and my Super Audio CD player functions no changing between devices. Another thing I like are the tiny picture icons. They all animate so it's easy to tell what function the remote is currently on. There are also five brightness settings. The range isn't very wide, but the low setting does keep the Kameleon from getting too much attention in the dark while watching movies.
The cons
This is going to be short. The battery life, and the way the Kameleon comes to life. Well, there is no off or on button. This thing sparks to life when you pick it up, and goes to sleep a few seconds after setting it down. Well the One For All Company almost got this right. The trigger for lighting up the Kameleon is too sensitive and it's not selective enough. Sometimes fine vibration causes it to light up. That isn't a bad thing, I could care less if it lights up all day long. The problem here is battery life. I've had the Kameleon three months and I've gone through five sets of AAA batteries, and the Kameleon takes these AAA batteries four at a time by the way. This got old real fast, so 4 AAA nickel metal hydride rechargeables quickly became necessary. Also I should mention that I run the Kameleon at the highest brightness setting. I do believe the EL display technology is very efficient with battery power, but the problem here is that the Kameleon is constantly (or nearly so) lit up. A standard back-lit remote would kill its batteries in mere days if it lit up this often.
Bottom line
I'm not going to do ten thousand words here, the Kameleon can do a lot more. I don't fancy macro settings so I don't use them. And I only make use of five devices (no cable box, PVR or Aux). But besides the light trigger/battery life issue, I can't complain about anything. I paid $89 (I'm sure it can be found on the net for much less) for this, and I consider it a bargain for the ease of use, the slick programming, and the cool factor. The very first thing anyone does when they walk into my living room is pick up my Kameleon remote, and then ooh and ah. It's a strange example of how technology can make people smile. The Kameleon is sexy and slick, but actually has the brains to back up the looks. Ladies, (and I say ladies 'cause let's be honest this is a guy thing) if you have a couch potato, DVD watching, channel changing man in your life, get him One For All's Kameleon remote. Yes, even $25 dollars less than what I paid can still be seen as a lot to spend on a remote. Trust me when I say, leave out the cologne and socks you get him every year for Christmas or his birthday, and get him something he'll really use. Dudes, if you have three or more remotes sitting on the coffee table and don't want to wait around, just go and get yourself one, or at least check it out.
You can go here to get a better look at the Kameleon remote.
© Tony Flores 2003
StrangerSoundLabs.com
[UPDATE]
It's April 2006, and the touch pad is finally starting to fail. I must press hard to get some keys to send a signal, and it's starting to get tough to use. However, after 2 years and a few months of heavy use everyday, that's not too bad. I'd buy another like it, or whatever the new model is.
--------------------------------------------------------------
This gadget guru has been putting off the purchase of a proper (and usually expensive) universal remote for years. There never really was one that I felt was worthy of the price. I always had a problem with the two types that exist. You have the traditional remote, usually with back-lit keys, ability to control several devices, learn IR codes of other remotes etc. These usually run between $29 and $79. Then you have what I refer to as the 'monster' remotes. These behemoths are usually large, square, LCD screened, and sport some kind of Indiglo scheme, these usually run $125 to $200.
Why I never broke down and parted with my dough
I never liked the expensive traditional back-lit remotes because no matter how hard the designers tried, they were a pain to configure with your particular set-up. The large and rather pricey LCD screen remotes had the advantage of not having keys. With an actual screen, the 'keys' can display differently for each device chosen. So things are more flexible, and more features are usually on board as well. The downside is, who in the hell wants to hold a gigantic remote like this? A tiny "egg" remote for channel clicking is a must have companion to these monstrosities. So never being happy with what was out there, I got by with cheaper universal remotes waiting until someone got it right (or close to it).
Enter the Kameleon by One For All
Well, I have to be honest, no research was involved here, I stumbled onto this slick little remote. There I was a the electronics mega chain, wandering over to the area where the universal remotes are kept. I visit such stores at least once a week, and I always check hoping to spot something new. And there it was, the Kameleon. It spoke to me right through its crystal clear box, Tony....... come on over and pick me up...... In case you are wondering why remotes never talk to you, it's because you don't speak Nerd. This thing looks like alien technology meets those Nike shoes that don't have laces. Imagine one of those $49 universal remotes with a thin aluminum trim around the edge and a sweet rubber coated back (no cheap plastic-y feel) and an inky blue, featureless area where the keys should go. Where are the keys? This blue area is too dark to be a screen, so what in the hell is it?
It's all about picking the thing up
The Kameleon comes to life when you pick it up, and suddenly all of your questions are answered. The large dark blue area suddenly becomes the dark back-drop to a kind of intense Indiglo on 'tracks' (One for all calls this Electro-luminescent). These tracks are the various keys that make up most universal remote layouts. Seconds after putting the Kameleon back down, the face returns to its inky blue face. The advantage over traditional back-lit remotes is that the keys are lit up evenly. Back-lit remotes are usually lit up by led's and usually only a few are available to light all of the keys. Unlike remotes with real keys, the Kameleon remote can change its face to some degree, giving it some of the advantage that large and bulky LCD remotes enjoy. The Kameleon shuts off the light to keys in groups that aren't normally associated with a particular component. This keeps the face nice and clean looking without sacrificing flexibility.
Programming
This is where the Kameleon shines, literally. Rather that hold a large telephone book of instructions trying to custom program your remote, the Kameleon makes it so much easier. Instead, all you have to learn here is how to get into the program function, (and the code for your particular device) and the Kameleon will kill all the keys except the two or three that you need to choose. The Kameleon will light the way for the all the following choices/steps. This is totally impossible on traditional back-lit remotes as the keys are not lit individually. The Kameleon has an incredibly large library of codes built in, so it should control ghetto equipment like Quasar and Curtis Mathis, to high-end stuff like California Audio Labs, Tascam and Krell. Just in case you do own a piece of gear the Kameleon can't control not to worry the Kameleon has a built in modem (underneath the face near the top) and new codes can be entered by calling One For All. How cool is that?
So what can this thing do?
Just a few of the key features. It can control 8 devices (plus home theater mode, more on that later). These 8 devices are titled CD, TV, DVD, Music (picture of a speaker) VCR, PVR, (personal video recorder) cable/sat dish and Auxiliary (for whatever). It can 'learn' IR codes from any remote you own, and it has 4 separate macros. It can retrieve upgrades over the phone with a built in modem for new codes/equipment. After programing your TV, DVD, and receiver into the Kameleon for example, there is a ninth icon a little surround sound speaker set-up circling around a little Lazy Boy chair.
When it comes time to program that icon, the Kameleon will "ask" you (by lighting the appropriate keys) what device the volume will be tied to (the receiver) the play, FF, RR (the DVD) and so on. After you are finished, all of your various components will be mixed into this one screen so that you won't have to change between devices for home movie watching. This is truly a blessing, and it couldn't be easier. You can also assign your own functions to particular keys as well. For example, I have on the 'music' icon programmed a combination of my receiver functions (volume, input etc) and my Super Audio CD player functions no changing between devices. Another thing I like are the tiny picture icons. They all animate so it's easy to tell what function the remote is currently on. There are also five brightness settings. The range isn't very wide, but the low setting does keep the Kameleon from getting too much attention in the dark while watching movies.
The cons
This is going to be short. The battery life, and the way the Kameleon comes to life. Well, there is no off or on button. This thing sparks to life when you pick it up, and goes to sleep a few seconds after setting it down. Well the One For All Company almost got this right. The trigger for lighting up the Kameleon is too sensitive and it's not selective enough. Sometimes fine vibration causes it to light up. That isn't a bad thing, I could care less if it lights up all day long. The problem here is battery life. I've had the Kameleon three months and I've gone through five sets of AAA batteries, and the Kameleon takes these AAA batteries four at a time by the way. This got old real fast, so 4 AAA nickel metal hydride rechargeables quickly became necessary. Also I should mention that I run the Kameleon at the highest brightness setting. I do believe the EL display technology is very efficient with battery power, but the problem here is that the Kameleon is constantly (or nearly so) lit up. A standard back-lit remote would kill its batteries in mere days if it lit up this often.
Bottom line
I'm not going to do ten thousand words here, the Kameleon can do a lot more. I don't fancy macro settings so I don't use them. And I only make use of five devices (no cable box, PVR or Aux). But besides the light trigger/battery life issue, I can't complain about anything. I paid $89 (I'm sure it can be found on the net for much less) for this, and I consider it a bargain for the ease of use, the slick programming, and the cool factor. The very first thing anyone does when they walk into my living room is pick up my Kameleon remote, and then ooh and ah. It's a strange example of how technology can make people smile. The Kameleon is sexy and slick, but actually has the brains to back up the looks. Ladies, (and I say ladies 'cause let's be honest this is a guy thing) if you have a couch potato, DVD watching, channel changing man in your life, get him One For All's Kameleon remote. Yes, even $25 dollars less than what I paid can still be seen as a lot to spend on a remote. Trust me when I say, leave out the cologne and socks you get him every year for Christmas or his birthday, and get him something he'll really use. Dudes, if you have three or more remotes sitting on the coffee table and don't want to wait around, just go and get yourself one, or at least check it out.
You can go here to get a better look at the Kameleon remote.
© Tony Flores 2003
StrangerSoundLabs.com
