Customer Reviews

Logitech Squeezebox Wi-Fi Internet Radio Remote Controller

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I've owned the Duet (part of which is the controller I'm reviewing here) for about 2 years. Though I've always thought it was very cool and useful, it was difficult to set up in the beginning and has suffered from the scroll wheel being imprecise. Because the device was so useful, I overlooked the flaws. Others, as you can see from the reviews, couldn't overlook these flaws.

However, recent software updates have taken care of this. With the 7.4.0 release of software, the UI on the controller was changed. The current version as I write this is 7.5.0. This is the version that I'm running after upgrading from 7.3.3.

The screen has changed and doesn't look like what is pictured here. Better use is made of the screen real estate resulting in easier to read text and a much larger artwork display. The scroll wheel is very precise now - no overshooting your selection. The controller is overall very responsive now.

I recommend this product, escpecially with the recent performance and usability improvements introduced through software updates.

The Squeezebox remote is pretty expensive for what it is, and the thumb wheel makes it hard to select what you want the first time around. It is especially frustrating to scroll through a large music collection - what it needs is the ability to jump to a letter.

We also have an iTouch, and loaded the free iPeng software on it - which converts it to a Squeezebox remote! The iTouch is better-looking and simpler to use than the Squeezebox remote, far more versatile because you can of course use it for games and other applications. Best of all, it is a lot cheaper.

So - although this remote works - why spend more for less functions? Buy an iTouch instead!

I just purchased this Squeezebox controller and I couldn't be happier! I had absolutely no problem with my wireless network and this controller. It was effortless as it found my network and I was connected! The controller is responsive and I found NO difficulty with it. I am now controlling my Squeezebox radio and I will soon have a Squeezebox Touch on board too. I love being downstairs and effortlessly changing stations with this controller! I have my Squeezebox outputting to a FM transmitter and I am broadcasting its music over a FM frequency through my stereo. It is magnificent -- the stereo sound and the music from the Squeezebox. I don't understand all the problems that I have read here with the wifi network and the controller. I was reluctant to buy this controller but I am glad I did. I say to buyers don't be swayed too much by the negative comments you read here as perhaps some of those naysayers are technically challenged and do not give the product a chance. I did and I am very happy!

This thing really gets on my nerves. It is so stupid!

Pros: NONE, really

Cons:
Unreadable display in any kind of light. You can only read it during the night.
Weak battery, last for few hours or so
Totally stupid interface, slow, unable to behave in a normal way
Jog-dial works very badly


I hate it!!! I bought ipeng application to my iphone instead and it is much much better. I can't even say how many times I almost smashed this idiotic gadget against the wall.

I see it and it makes me vomit. Today I changed password to my wifi network and I took me 1 hour to make my little idiot connect to my wifi again. You have to make factory reset, than set everything again which takes so long with the speed of this device and the jog dial.

Stay away from this!!! Trust me.

I have had this product for about a month. I had the original squeezebox and wanted to add this controller (it came out one month after I had purchased the original squeezebox). It took me less than 10 minutes to set up and has worked extemely well for the first month. Occasionally, it will drop the signal when I have put it down for a while, but it takes less than 30 seconds for it to find the system again. I am very happy with the product and would recommend it to others. I use it with a range of up to 100 feet from the wireless router.

This controller was so easy to setup that I have purchased another Squeezebox Boom and Controller for my other home. My advice is to shop around. I got the second set (Boom and the Controller) for [..] bucks. Sweet!

Why spend $200 for another remote control when you can download SqueezeCommander for Android. Awesome utility from anywhere in wifi range: controls multiple Squeezebox units, displays album artwork, adjust volume from handset's volume control switch, auto-mute or reduce volume when calls are received. Only thing missing is an elapsed time bar for the playlist or song. There are other similar apps out there that I haven't tried yet, but this one works great for me. Find it in the Market or search online to read more.

I bought the Squeezbox duet about 1 1/2 years ago... in general, it works great. Internet Radio, Pandora, my iTunes, and the like all stream easily, which is why I bought it. The remote, however, has the worst design imaginable.

If it were only, say, $50, then I'd be a little less harsh, but this thing runs $200. Using a scroll wheel to click through menus and spell words is about 5 years past its prime. For free, I can use an iTouch, iPhone or any computer to control the receiver with more functionality and ease of use than the remote.

Here's the big problem... since I used my iTouch and iPad to control the receiver, I lost the remote. I didn't care about that for the aforementioned reasons, until I did a hard reset and lost the connection with Squeezbox.com. I can't re-establish the receiver without the remote. I called support and they said that unless I have a remote, I basically have a nice paper weight.

My advice... if you have an iTouch/phone/pad or a variety of other smart phones (not blackberry), save yourself the money, buy a squeezbox radio, and use the phone to control it. $120 and your done.

I have had the Squeezebox duet for 3 years now with 2 boxes, one boombox, and one controller. The system works great and its nice being able to listen to the same music all through the house or different music in different parts as required, especially with the kids.
The problem for me was that the backlighting on the controller failed making it very hard to see in any sort of lighting conditions. If it had happened during the warranty period it would have been covered and I would now have a new controller. Logitec is good enough to offer a 50% rebate on a new one if you send your old one in first, but that is still a pretty hefty price cost for replacement ($150).
Luckily, before sending mine in I saw the review that mentioned the iPeng and since we already had iPhones decided to try that instead and it was amazing how easy it was to use and so much better than the controller. In my opinion if you are starting out new get the controller with the box as a package and that way it is a relatively cheap buy, otherwise use iPeng, especially if you already have an iPod or iPhone.

First of all let me get you grounded in how I am using this...It is for a second music zone in my home. I have a 3 zone audio receiver in the basement with pre-wired in-wall speakers. I also have a HP windows home server with all my music on it. I am a MAC owner with my playlists in ITunes. I wanted to utilize my WHS without booting up a computer and listening through a bluetooth adapter. The WHS has an app that can be installed for the squeezebox. I-tunes playlists can be exported to the WHS and immediately played on the squeezebox. I can control the volume an music from this one little ipod like controller. Its great! This is the perfect solution to what I was looking for. I wanted to play music throughout my second audio zone and control it from an Ipod like device. The Device even plays multiple Network radio stations like Pandora when you get sick of your own music collection!

The good:
All your music anywhere in your house from a single device without having to boot up the computer!

The not so good:
Yes the wheel is a little touchy. No the battery doesn't last forever. I can't stream video.

If Logitech could incorporate this device with video into their Harmony 1000 remote it would make the high end multi-zone whole home A/V dealer programming market obsolete!!!

If it streamed video and was incorporated in the harmony remote this truly would be the ultimate device for multi-zone whole home audio video applications. One step at a time.