I've been using the MX500 for about a couple of years and have been very happy with it. I tried replacing it with the Sony RM-AV3000, but never really liked it. The Sony made me realize that I'm a "button guy", I like being able to make all the changes without looking at the remote. But the MX500 does have excellent backlight if you need it. I ended up mostly teaching the remote how to operate, my components never really matched up with their database. It is the easiest remote to program and teach that I've owned.

I sent one to my brother for a birthday gift a couple of years ago, but he never really got around to using it, so the last trip to visit him I gave him the Sony and set it up for he and his wife, as they have mostly Sony components. Maybe on my next trip I'll take back the MX500 since I have another system that I'd like to operate with one, and his is only gathering dust. I'll probably have to get them a Harmony/Logitech one next so that he can use the web interface.

Anybody looking for a very good universal remote owes it to themselves to give the MX-500 a try.

Jeff