Sofabaton X1S Setup & Review | Is Sofabaton our last hope for a universal remote solution?

[@scotttild]

I pray that my Logitechs never die. I have everything programmed exactly the way I want. I even bought a spare a long time ago. Said that they never updated or improved their model.

[@Upscaled_HT]

If the day ever comes, it’s not that bad to move over to SofaBaton. There is a learning curve but it can pretty much do everything the Harmony can.

[@canyonh9]

Harmonies will be dead soon,,no money in supporting canceled products. I have 2, both getting increasingly buggy.

[@SoCalVipers]

I just got mine set up today. It's potentially replacing a URC MX-780 that I've been using for 10 years. So far, I'm really liking it. Controlling Apple TV via IR wasn't the best, the X1S using Bluetooth is so much better. After about an hour of googling, I finally figured out how to use the hub with an IR repeater. The hub's 2 outputs aren't enough for me. FYI. I just need to figure out how to create a generic device to control my IR lighting system. I'll also need to run a long IR flasher to my projector.

[@housbinpharteen7445]

My only universal remote i ever had was the Phillips Pronto , that was amazing.. until the charger went and i could not find a replacement unit.. now i just use all the original remotes ... back to the basics

[@willmahoney2452]

I have an X1 tgat I supported through their Kickstarter and have been very happy with it. Works all my devices including my lights. If I could change anything it’s for the to control lights other than Philips Hue.

[@davejones1959]

I just returned to Amazon. All devices were easy to set up, however, I could get it paired with FireTV. This the reason I purchased in the first place. It would hang on the final screen before loading the Fire TV onto remote. I have several URC MX990 in my home and the programming software. The URC do not do Bluetooth. I liked the X1S but no FireTV is a showstopper.

[@Jay-gc8vd]

Awesome video by the way. Question is it a way to make the remote learn a command from a Bluetooth remote?

[@AsadMulla]

Control 4 remote can control the equipment via IP which is significantly better. I know it cost a lot more and requires an approved installer to set it all up but I really hoped that they would have went down that route

[@Upscaled_HT]

I have control 4 and equipment cost and set up costs is simply out of most people’s price range

[@AsadMulla]

@@Upscaled_HT I also have it and I agree its not with in a reasonable price range. I also use Home assistant (which I use more than C4 and I have the HA driver in C4) and I can control my AV equipment with IP. the advantage is that you dont need to point the remote at the AV equipment and you dont need to have IR blasters. You can also get the status of the AV devices like channel or whats playing. I just think that that's the way forward. Most AV equipment now have apps so that means that IP commands should work

[@AsadMulla]

Also, With IR, if your equipment is on and you send IR commands for power, it could turn the device off rather than on. Check out unfolded circle Remote two and remote three, They look amazing. I've pledged for the Remote three. They have full HA support with a touch screen

[@Anytyme06]

I got this for $152 with the discount code you provided! Not a bad deal.

[@AIIZREVIEWS]

Ordered one this morning because one of my Harmony Ones is going out. Saw your video and cancelled the order so I could use your discount code. So thanks for that! I may order another one after I see how the first one goes. Hopefully the code will still be active

[@djmeltdown65]

Did you find you need to use the IR blaster for your AVR? I have the AVR and other equipment in a built in shelf cubby and the X1S will be installed on a lower shelf. also my JVC projector will be in the back of the room.

[@Upscaled_HT]

I did have to play with the position of the puck, but I didn’t have to use the IR blasters.

[@sethi100]

Thx. still use the Harmony Elite, though my wife hates it. I like that on my Elite I have 48 (channel) favorites with an icon/picture of a channels logo (such as HBO) without needing to know the 3 digit number. The Elite has 9 logos per page. And I have one page for each of the 10 numbers if entering a channel that is not a favorite. Where I find concerning with the X1S is its small screen and use of a wheel. Would you agree this is where the X1S is not to par with the Harmony? No where on the internet do I find samples of such X1S screens to help me decide if I should pass on this and wait for something better to come along. I’ve looked at folded circle 3 & cantata haptique rs90x - but not a kickstarter fan.

[@Upscaled_HT]

The believe that the SofaBaton is a good product if you’re patient and willing to really go deep into learning it. The Harmony is better for the novice but it’s not without its quirks. If you didn’t already have an Elite I would give you the thumbs up but since you have it, I would say you’ll probably like it more than the SofaBaton.

[@sethi100]

Thx. Take care

[@arnovanwingerde8589]

Hm, what does the screen actually do here? It shows the activities through which you can scroll, my Harrnony Companion has 3 buttons for 3 activities - it does not show which activity is active and can only use 6 activities (using long press for activities 4-6) but otherwise the X1S screen seems pretty useless. Maybe useful during set-up only?

[@twocornell]

The performance of this device is subpar, and I am currently using my second unit after exchanging the first one with Amazon. I initially suspected a connection issue because my first device frequently lost its connection to the hub and required updates. Even after updating to version 2, it still prompted for updates. The remote control only responded when I was within two inches of the hub or a receiver. Although the second device arrived with the latest update and successfully connected to the hub, it suffers from the same reception issues. The customer service department, that suggested I upgrade from the X1 to the X1s, do not have a "fix" to my subsequent inquiries. It is perplexing that the supposedly improved X1s remote has significantly worse reception and responsiveness compared to the older X1 model.

[@SirGordonJ]

Cuuently have the Harmony Hub. Recently invested in a AWOL LTV 3000 which does not work with the Harmony. Thinking that it is time to change. What do you think in ters of Control 4 vs Sofa Baton? Control 4 might be overkill for me as I not planning to auomate the whole house but it is still on the table for me. Have much research to do,

[@francocastilloAR]

Is there a way to make it "homemade", personalized and cheaper.

[@larrymeyer6006]

How do you use Direct TV remote instead of the Apple TV?

[@SuperCalligaro]

Great devices and controls my Apple TV, the tv, my amp, my receiver and my shield well 🎉

[@canyonh9]

Can you rename the hubs? I need 2 separate remotes.

[@Upscaled_HT]

Pretty sure you can rename them.

[@curt248]

Will it work with Lutron lights?

[@AIIZREVIEWS]

What happens if one of the devices fails to turn on? Is there a help feature like on the harmony?

[@Upscaled_HT]

Not really. You just need to troubleshoot manually and figure out why. Most of the time it’s related to the device not receiving the ir signal.

[@AIIZREVIEWS]

@@Upscaled_HT what I mean is do you have to manually power everything down or does the remote have a device list that you can control each one independently of needed?

[@stevewright1539]

Watching your review after I gave up on mine. Please stress that there is no onboard IR on the remote itself.

[@Upscaled_HT]

Should be something they consider adding one day.

[@canyonh9]

No ir on the remote is why it has such great battery life. Use the ir repeaters..

[@Upscaled_HT]

@@canyonh9 makes sense now that I think about it.

[@stevewright1539]

To control my projector which is in a different room than my rack?

[@dan_hitchman007]

@@stevewright1539 Then you are screwed. Logitech brass were complete idiots when they stopped producing remote controls.

[@metalfan1887]

Your code doesn't work on Amazon

[@losinfinite]

Anyone using this with a media closet? I have some questions about your set up.

[@michaelsmith7753]

Anyone know if it supports any android boxes like superbox or Vseebox

[@garagehobbies]

The back button location is a deal breaker.

[@Upscaled_HT]

It’s a reach for sure.

[@freshgresh]

Upscaled discount expired on website

[@donforman4326]

why Bluetooth for apple tv?

[@Upscaled_HT]

Because you don’t need line of sight to it that way.

[@canyonh9]

You could use the ir repeaters inside a cabinet with the apple tv. However apple tv is much more responsive via Bluetooth.

[@ljrand3]

Amazon not working with code

[@Upscaled_HT]

It worked for me. Upscaled20

[@AeroDude73]

@@Upscaled_HTsame. I used the Amazon 10% off, then tried your Upscaled20 on top of that and nothing happened. So I tried the company website with Upscaled and it only took off the 20% ($38). But you said that they could be stacked (?) somewhere, but I’m not sure where. 🤷‍♂️

[@Yorkie-9668]

Pile of manure, I will stick with my Harmony Elite until it dies

[@Upscaled_HT]

I hate manure. Lots of folks don’t have that option unfortunately.

[@Yorkie-9668]

@@Upscaled_HT You are agreeing for people to ruin their lives attempting to get this so called wonder remote to actually function, you are allowing the manufacturers lies to continue, yes it is hard to get a harmony remote, but also I cannot agree with people being lied to and wasting nearly £200 for something not fit for purpose, and all these reviews saying it is a great remote are obviously "PAID" reviews, Sofabaton offered to pay me to remove my review on Amazon, make of that what you will!