SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote with Hub and App, All in One Smart Universal Remote Control with Customize Activities, Control Up to 60 IR/Bluetooth/WiFi Devices, Compatible with Alexa

Let me start by saying I am tech-savvy, having worked individually to set up a rather complex smart home.I really wanted to like this device and had high hopes for it after hearing of the discontinuation of Logitech devices and hearing semi-promising reviews online and on youtube.I will be returning the device only 1 day after opening it for the following reasons.1. The UX is absolute trash. The experience after the initial unboxing was all downhill.2. The app is very buggy, crashes and requires a multitude of firmware updates. The app text is written in poor english. It's clear the developer didn't even take the time or money to have the platform reviewed and it comes off as cheap Chinese junk not a premium product like you would expect from Apple or Logitech.3. The remote hardware design itself is not well thought out with some of the primary buttons being located at the top of the remote and out of reach by thumb or finger without adjusting common hand placement.4. The text and font packs are basically Times New Roman, again it makes the digital display look cheap.5. There is very little instruction after unboxing and fumbling around the app is not intuitive.6. Perhaps most importantly, I found the app code catalog to be confusing and adding or finding common devices to be a major pain. For example, I was not able to get it to work with my X Box Series X and pairing it to my 2022 TCL TV was a PITA.7. The hub does not work unless it has line of site on many devices, which depending on your platform could be a eye sore.I hate to leave such a negative review but man this thing wouldn't be worth the asking price even if they addressed all of the mentioned issues I had. I would not recommend this device to anyone and would suggest you either wait to see what the market brings in the next year or so, by a 20 dollar universal remote or buy a legacy logitech device off ebay.

THE 5 THINGS I LEARNED1. A Fire TV Cube isn't a replacement for the Harmony Remote Hub. There are too many reviews citing "Use the Fire TV Cube." I tried that; it was a horrible replacement. Please don't do it.2. The SofaBaton X1 is not the Logitech Harmony Hub, it is the SofaBaton X1. We must all move on.3. You CAN use the SofaBaton X1 to control your setup. Have a growth mindset, it's different, and there is a learning curve. The remote is different, the software is different, and the company is not named Logitech.4. Different isn't bad; it's just different. Take a deep breath, set some time aside, and understand there will be some challenging moments.5. Think about the big picture of what Sofabaton is working to do. They give you several "configs to try" to get your setup working. It takes some time, but IT DOES WORK.MY SETUPThe SofaBaton X1 has direct control over the following- Pioneer Elite Receiver (VSX-70)- Chromecast with Google TV (4K) (GZRNL)- Apple TV (4th Generation A1625)- Panasonic Blu-Ray (DMP-BDT230)- Panasonic 60" Plasma (TC-P60VT60)- Apps: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, and many more.The SofaBaton X1 has secondary control over the following. Secondary control means that they are controlled via HDMI port switching on the VSX-70 via the SofaBaton X1- Xbox One- Nintendo SwitchThe SofaBaton X1 is integrated with Alexa, "Hey Alexa. Turn on ..."THE REMOTE- This is not a Logitech remote, throw the idea that you ever had one out the window.- It is backlit; however, it's best to activate it by pushing it down on the scroll wheel, assuming you have yet to select something different via the scroll wheel.- You will need to adjust some buttons based on your device. This is a good thing, as the remote is highly customizable. This could be an issue for some users, given that it's more than just plug-and-play. On the flip side, I enjoy it as I customized it in a way that I couldn't with the "system that will no longer be named."- Overall, the remote takes a moment to get used to. It is a bit longer than I'd prefer, but that concern will diminish as I work more and more with it.THE HUBThis took some learning to program, and I made several mistakes via trial and error. It was a need for more understanding of how SofaBaton thinks about interacting with systems. Once you adapt their thinking, you have the "ah ha" moment. You may not like it, but you'll know how to work within the SofaBaton system.CONFIGURING EQUIPMENT- Configuring equipment is a cross between understanding the hub and how the configurations work.- Setting up the Pioneer Elite Receiver was the most challenging part of everything. The configuration that SofaBaton chose limited my ability to interact with my 8+ HDMI ports, and I couldn't figure it out. I discovered that there were around 30 configurations to try. I honestly don't believe I ever found one that "worked for every feature that the VSX-70 had"; however, I found a config that worked for "everything I needed." The issue was getting the correct HDMI to switch to the correct system. I did get it to work, and it works very well.- The Panasonic TV was a challenge because sometimes it wouldn't turn on/off. I adjusted the number of signals sent, which works consistently now.- Google Chromecast/TV and Apple TV were as simple as connecting the SofaBaton remote as a new Bluetooth device. Simple as that. I did make a couple of adjustments here. I wasn't satisfied with the fast-forward buttons, so I reconfigured them. This is going to be a personal preference. I like what is now configured on the SofaBaton better than it was on the "other system."DEVICES ON/OFFWe need to talk about this for a moment. The configurations for my devices had a generic on/off signal programmed into the "off" button. This ended up turning on a device when it was off or turning off a device when it was "on." I finally figured out that there were separate "on" and "off" signals within the config. I remapped these, and the problem was solved.ALEXAVery little to say here. I downloaded the skill, and Alexa discovered the setup/config. It works as expected.COMMUNITYThere is a community built around this product. Go to the SofaBaton website and look for Community. Join it.IN CLOSINGYMMV. This is my setup. I am familiar with programming, electronics, and how things work. I can bear some frustration getting to where I want to be with technology. I couldn't be more thrilled to have the SofaBaton X1, which will only improve.... Take a deep breath, buy this, and be patient. It does take time. You'll be happy when you're done. If not, return it; at least you tried it.