Universal Remote CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L Review
For two years, I used the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L universal remote control from Universal Remote company to actuate the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 DVR as provided by our cable company, Atlantic Broadband. Until I upgraded to the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8700L-AB, the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L worked very well. I might have never upgraded if not for some of the buttons failing to register when pressed.
The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L is a substantial-sized unit, which is powered by two AA batteries. It has decent-sized backlit buttons, and can control up to five devices in a home entertainment system.
Benefits Of The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L
- The infrared signal that the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L emits is quite strong, as I’ve successfully operated my DVR from fifteen feet away. This remote is among the strongest I’ve ever owned.
- The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L has a red-colored backlit key panel and all buttons light up with fairly even uniformity. But though the buttons at the left and right edges of the unit light significantly more brightly, the buttons in the center of the keypad are still easy to read.
- The number keys on the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L can be read fairly easily (bold semi-white print on a black-white background). The keys are best seen when the bright red backlight discussed above is activated.
- The batteries in the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L last about a year with heavy use.
- The battery access door on the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L never came off inadvertently, though I dropped this remote many times.
- Indeed, the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L withstood lots of drops without developing any defects. I don’t believe however, that the key problem was from the dropping, since it affected only the key that I used most (Play).
- I did not, if I’m recalling correctly, need the device codes to set up the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L, as this universal remote included a code search feature. This allowed me to scan through its entire library of device brands until hitting on the codes that worked with my devices.
- The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L offers the all-on and all-off feature that supported less button presses to turn on or off all the devices in my home entertainment system. Unlike the Philips SRU4208WM/17 that requires you to press the device button for each device you’re controlling in turn, and then press the power button for each device, all of that could be accomplished on the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L with just one button press. I could program the chain of on/off commands sent by the power button as well, to exclude some of my devices from being turned on and off with this button.
- The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L remote offers three macro-programmable buttons that allow you to create command sequences up to ten commands in length. You can use this feature to create one-press access to your favorite channel or to start your VCR recording. This feature became very handy once some of the normal buttons assigned to these operations began to fail.
What I Dislike About The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8700L-AB
- I wish the backlight remained lit longer when you press the light-up button. As it is, the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L only glows for roughly ten seconds. It’d be better if this light duration time was programmable, or stayed on for at least thirty seconds.
- Some of the keys on the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L eventually developed a hard-to-press behavior about a year after I obtained this remote. Since most of the buttons cannot be individually programmed to issue specific commands, I could not reassign one of the other keys to take its place except for the macro keys (M1, M2, and Help). This is not a bad alternative, though these keys are located a but “off the beaten path” for easy DVR operation. Sot it would be nice to be able to reprogram ALL the keys if desired.
- The device and video control keys (forward, play, back, record, pause, and stop) could be just a bit larger on the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L. They’re only slightly larger my pinky fingernail. This can encourage wrong-button presses, which is likely one reason that several of the buttons on my copy stopped working well so quickly. Bigger buttons all around would be better.
- The CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L cannot learn button commands from other remotes. This would be a great feature though, should any of the preprogrammed keys malfunction. You could then program a new key to use instead if this feature had been included.
I found the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L to be quite adequate for my DVR and TV needs. So I would definitely purchase another if I actually had to buy one; our cable company provides them free.
A great size for a universal remote, the CLIKR-5 UR5U-8520L achieves a nice balance between size and function. This unit is among the best overall universal remotes I’ve played with.
I’ll add any new information I discover to this post about this universal remote control.