Summary:
This remote came packaged with my B&K receiver. I have used this remote for almost a year, and so far I have mixed feelings about it. Beause of its low retail price (compared to the Marantz, Phillips, and others) I could see why someone would like this remote. The functionality of the remote is straight forward, and the backlight works fine, but this remote simply lacks style. My main complait is that with the majority of the buttons being the same size and aligned in rows and columns, it can be difficult to use without looking directly at it. The biggest surprise concerning this remote is the units it comes packaged with. I find it amazing that B&K and other pretty high end conponent makers package this remote with their products. Though I am mostly satisfied with this remote, I have replaced it with a Pronto that I bought on eBay for a great deal. If I could give this a rating of 3 1/2 stars I would. But while it is a great value (>$100), it is simply not in the same class as some of its higher priced competitors.

Strengths:
good functionality, attractive price, nice backlight

Weaknesses:
generic

Similar Products Used:
Phillips Pronto, Marantz RC2000 MKII

Summary:
I got this remote because I needed a very flexible learning remote with macro capabilities that I could operate for the most part by feel without having to look down at the remote. With the proliferation of touchscreens this is becoming a hard product to find, but the SL9000 is just about perfect for what I was looking for.

So far it has operated flawlessly, and a nice touch is that the IR signal from it is so strong you don't have to worry about pointing the remote anywhere near your electronics. It even works when you point it directly away from your equipment.

There are some limitations as some others have mentioned, and I for one would like even more than the 5 macros available, but at this price and given all its features and performance I'd have to call it darn near perfect. Sure you can find more esoteric remotes, but they're all hundreds of dollars more expensive, are much bigger, go through batteries much faster, and lack the "drive by feel" ability of the SL9000.

This is one of those rare products that I'm really thrilled with, and I smile every time I pick it up knowing I've got seven other remotes I'll probably never have to use again. In most cases this thing works better than the original remotes.

By the way, I purchased my SL9000 through One Call for about $90 and they were great. I had a problem with my first remote(I've heard these remotes have been extremely reliable overall) and they promptly sent out a replacement without any hassle whatsoever. The new one works perfectly and I plan to keep it for a long, long time.

Strengths:
Ease of use and flexibility. Relatively small size and easy to handle. Easy on batteries. My electronics-challenged wife loves it because it's so easy to use and because it has replaced seven other remotes on our already-cluttered coffee table.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz RC2000, Philips Pronto

Summary:
I was forced to buy a new universal remote, after an unfortunate experience with a Golden Retriever puppy, and a Marantz RC-2000 left on the coffee table, unattended. Ouch!
So, I was unwilling to shell out another $250, so I chose the Universal 9000.
After entering all the codes, the unit was up and running. It was controlling all my components and felt good in the palm of my hand.
The blue backlight is really done well, bit I wish it came on at the push of any key, like my Marantz.
I got it fine tuned, and changed some keys, programmed some macros, and it has been performing for almost a year, now.
Compared to the RC-2000, it is lighter, and feels better in my hand than the 2000.
One glitch, is sometimes it seems to send out double codes instead of one, causing a component to switch twice,stutter, etc. For example, when controlling my Classe' SSP-25 processor, it will skip over a menu, if I am setting something. It does this with other components, as well, so I know it is the remote, but it does this only occasionally.
Since a DVD menu uses the transport keys as a double douty, I had to program an unused set of function keys to use the DVD menu.
A "shift" feature would have been nice, but would have been the same number of keystrokes to activate (one).
So, all-in-all, a very nice remote.
Some say it is more comfortable than the Marantz, and I agree.
Certainally more affordable.
A toss-up on operation and use.
Highly recommended.

Strengths:
Ease of use,size,feel, quality.

Weaknesses:
Lots of small buttons.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz RC-2000

Summary:
I searched around for a universal-remote for a while. I looked at the Marantz 2000 and also the Sony and this one. What I was looking for was macros, programmability and price. This remote has everything at a really good price. The macros work with my equipment (Denon receiver, Sony CD, Panasonic VHS, TV and a Toshiba DVD. One button turns on whatever sequence I set up and also turns them off. It also learned some commands that I wanted to program on a certain button. There's a bunch of stickers included too so you may label your favorite buttons. There are others that do more, but they cost a lot more. I purchased mine at Onecall.com for $94.00 plus shipping. I believe for this price, it can't be beat.

Strengths:
Works all my equipment. Great price.

Weaknesses:
A little too large. Very minor though. A lot of buttons.

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
This product let me put away 6 other remote controls for good!

After buying--and returning--the One-For-All Cinema 7, the Radio Shack 15-1995, The RCA RCU800, the X10 UR24A Learning Remote, and giving up on the so-called "universal" OEM remotes that came with my components, I finally caved in, spent the extra bucks for the SL-9000, and I'm thrilled! None of those other remotes could do what I wanted (and I'm not willing to spend $300 for the Phillips Pronto).

I have a Mitsubishi HD-Ready big screen, the RCA DTC100 HDTV/DSS receiver, the Yamaha HTR-5150 Audio Receiver, the Pioneer D525 DVD, a Panasonic VCR, and a Technics CD player. The SL-9000 matched more of the the original key functions right out of the box than any other remote. I only had to "teach" a total of about 8 keys between all of the components combined. (I reassigned some keys to duplicate some of the functions of the DVD player, but no big deal.)

Plus, the SL9000 let me automatically "link" functions so that whenever I change component control (switch from TV to DVD or whatever), the Yamaha audio receiver follows suit automatically and switches into the right signal input and sound field modes. Plus, the audio functions also work "through" all the video component functions. So no matter what component is being operated, the Yamaha's volume and mute controls work without switching to "audio" to control them.

As a bonus, the SL9000 has programmable macro keys, so that I can turn everything on and have it operating Direct TV as the default mode. Another push turns everything off. This is a great feature if you ever have relatives visiting or a housesitter staying over. It's difficult for them to get confused or messed up because all they have to do is change channels and adjust the volume. The SL9000 coordinates all the components seemlessly in the background.

Also, the backlight is blue, which is easier to read than some (such as the X10 which is red--yuck!). And the little labels for customized keys are helpful for those who don't use the remote regularly.

Definitely worth the price (under $100). Oh, and batteries are included.

Strengths:
Matches most OEM codes right out of the box. Easily "learns" the others. Coordinates audio and video sources seemlessly in the background. Easy to progam. Easy to handle. Value.

Weaknesses:
None that I found.

Similar Products Used:
RCA SAT3, RCA RCU800, One For All Cinema 7, Radio Shack 15/1995, X10 UR24A, OEM "Universal" remotes that came with the individual home theathre components.