I've scanned enough dialogue on universal remote controls to confuse me totally. Can anyone suggest a remote that doesn't require two afternoons worth of programming and costs less than $100.00?

MX500

Having used an MX-500 for almost two years now, I would agree with Keta on this one. It can be had from bluedo.com for $84 and will handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. You can spend a lot of time customizing it, or pretty quickly toss in some codes from the database and learn a few extra commands and have it working without much effort. The same company now makes a consumer line (the MX-500 is from a line originally aimed at custom installers, although it has found a huge consumer following thanks to internet distribution), and the entry-level model (the URC-100 Unifier) falls within your budget.

Some other learning remotes that might fit your needs are the Radio Shack 15-2133 Kameleon and One For All Kameleon 8 . Sony may also offer some inexpensive learning universal remotes (such as the RM-VL700 and RM-VL900 ), but those two models have been around for a while and I don't know anything about Sony's current offerings in this range.

i use a radio shack 15-2138 kameleon and it does take some getting used to(i think $100+tax),programmable,learning,macros,8 components.

problems:

1.membrane pad and you don't always find the button you want.

2.averaging 4 aaa batteries a month.

3.is a long one.started to not perform commands,so after problems 1&2,i wanted to return it.of course i had thrown away the receipt because it was a kick butt remote.no big deal right?radio shack takes your phone number when you buy batteries,you are in the computer right?WRONG!!!went to the store i bought it from and guess what,i didn't buy it,no record of me in the computer(this was in the 90 day warranty btw),hmmm, how do i have it,the finder,the manuals,original package with the theft device!!
you know they always p!!!!d me off wanting my number to buy solder,or batteries or whatever,thought this time it was a blessing in disguise,WRONG!!!

screw radio shack,i will NEVER buy from them again!

p.s. the fact that installing new batteries fixed the problem of not performing commands did not override the crap they pulled on me.

name,adress,phone number,screw them!!!

p.s.i still like the remote even with the problems,i'm so used to the 'buttons' they don't even phase me.and the way you upgrade over the phone is pretty damn cool.

I bumped into this topic because the remote that came with my Model 1050 was damaged today and I did a search on the forum...

I can order a remote from Outlaw for $45 plus $11 shipping. My question: is there an advantage to buying one of the recommended remotes, particularly if I would prefer to spend closer to $50 than $100?

The stock remote has worked okay; it either cannot control all functions on all my gear or I don't know enough to make it do so. Besides the 1050 I have a Denon CD player, Sony DVD player, Sony TV, Sony VCR and a cable box. With all my Sony stuff maybe a Sony universal would be a good choice...

I probably don't have the same needs as many of the people on the forum, but a relatively Idiot Proof remote i.e. one that both my wife and I can easily use, is the first consideration.

Mojo - At that price point, there's not much out there that would have all codes (esp. not Outlaw) built-in/downloadable, so if that's a consideration it'll be tough.

If you're willing to program the thing, you can pick up an old Marantz remote on ebay for cheaper than your price point. Units like the venerable RC2000s (I still use mine, but the MkII's are better) have some learning curves, but they're very flexible and powerful.

Sony has some nice & easy learning remotes, but the ones you'd want for the wifey approach $100 retail.