Hi fellow Outlaws,

I'm planning on consolidating my remotes and want a universal remote with real buttons. I'm looking at the Universal Remote MX-500 which has received much praise. I checked a database to see if the Outlaw family of products was there, but didn't find any. Can someone tell me if I'll be able to use this remote to control my 990 preamp?

thank you,
Craigo

I don't think that Outlaw is in the database, but the MX-500 is a very straightforward learning remote (see my MX-500 review for notes on how I used it with an Outlaw Model 950). You will definitely be able to use the MX-500 with your Model 990.

Hey Gonk,
When I started this thread I thought you would likely be the person who'd help me out, but I had no idea you'd have an entire review devoted to the MX-500! That was a great and very informative read. I'm stoked about this remote now.

Got a couple more questions for you if I may. In addition to the 990, I'll also be controlling Theatertek on my HTPC and the lights in the theater which will be Lutron Spacer system. I currently control Theatertek with my MCE remote. Do you think the MX-500 will learn the commands from that remote successfully?

I noticed on the remotecentral.com website that three Lutron code sets exist. Do you know if the Spacer system is one of them?

thank you,
Craigo

If the MCE remote uses IR, it should work fine. As for the Lutron, I've got a Lutron dimmer in my den and my MX-700 learned the commands from it just fine - the MX-500 should likewise learn them if the code sets don't give you what you want.

Great, thanks again gonk.

I'm also considering the MX-700 since they're only a few bucks more than the MX-500 on ebay. Problem is, both of my current pc's only have USB 2.0 com ports. Do you know of any workarounds to the RS-232 connection? I probably don't need the MX-700, but...

thanks,
Craigo

There are USB-to-serial adapters that should allow you to connect an MX-700 to a PC that lacks serial ports. Haven't used any yet, but I figure my time will come.

Craigo, are you looking at the same ebay MX-700 that I'm watching?

I probably am Bobzoom, but I'm 99% sure I'm going to pass. I'm leaning heavily towards an MX-500. I have a couple of old pc's that have RS-232 I/O's, but they're pretty old and slow. Not sure if I want to count on either of them for remote support in the future. The MX-500 will do everything that I need, so I think I'll just stick to one of those for now. Did some reading on RS-232 to USB converters and it's not a simple cable solution. There are voltage issues among other things that make them quirky. Yeah, think I'll get my feet with with an MX-500.

thanks,
Craigo

Craigo

Craigo, I took a pass on the MX for now. I've been to the remote central website looking around. There seem to be a lot of people complaining they are no longer able to get the software for programming the MX700 and later models. Apparently you now need to fill in a serial number to get the download. If the remote didn't come from an authorized dealer you are out of luck. Although perhaps there's another source.

And I'm wondering about other programmable remotes that are consumer versions. Some of them seem fairly powerful and come with software as part of the package. Does anyone know anything about the URC300?

There are ways to get at least the final non-Live Update version of the software (I've mirrored them in my MX-700 review ) and if you get your remote from an authorized dealer you can get the latest (with Life Update) software - someplace like Surf Remote would be good about helping with that.