RedEye Universal Remote System for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad Review

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(More customer reviews)I really wanted to like the RedEye. I did my research and read the reviews both here and a recent Sound & Vision write-up. I had the need to control my A/V system from a different room than it is in, and this seemed like the perfect solution.
I spent quite a bit of time trying to set it up with my iPhone 3GS running OS 4.1... also planned on using this with my old iPhone Edge as a dedicated remote. Setup was not ordinarily lengthy, but I could not get the RedEye to work on my own wi-fi network (tried connecting to an Airport Express). Although the ThinkFlood website says this is not a requirement to get the RedEye to work, the product really will not work with any convenience if you can't. Imagine having to change your iPhone/touch wi-fi settings to connect to the RedEye's own wi-fi network each time you wanted to use it as a remote. You also need your own internet connected wi-fi to download IR database information for your components... 3G works, but it was painstakingly slow.
And about that IR database info you need to download... if you have used a Harmony remote and are familiar with the software, you will be very disappointed with the RedEye's methodology. You choose a brand (Samsung, Sony, etc) and component type (TV, AVR, etc) and then the RedEye software downloads a rather lengthy selection of "Power" commands that you cycle thru hoping to find the right one. For my TV, there were a few "Power" commands that worked... but which is the right one? I don't know and neither does RedEye... so you pick one, download all the commands and then hope all the buttons work. If it doesn't, then try, try again. It's worth noting that RedEye gives you the option of programming from your own remotes, which may be an OK option for some. In comparison to a Harmony, you choose a brand and a model number... and all your buttons work; if not, it's just a few tweaks to get up and running.
I completely understand that setup is 99% of the work with most universal remotes, but the RedEye's setup procedure was not as easy as I'd hoped and was particularly frustrating when it came to the guesswork. It reminded me of the OLD way we programmed remotes before the Harmony came along. I suppose I felt that if EVERYTHING is easier with an iPhone, then so should programming a remote control.
I did eventually get the RedRye to use my Airport after leaving it unplugged for some time and then going back to give it one more chance. But it was flaky and I found that when running the app, it did not always find my network. BTW, just to be safe I tried this with my wireless D-link router as well, but it never seemed better to me. When it did work, button lag was a big issue... try fast forwarding a DVR and hitting play at just the right moment with button lag if you want to be frustrated. Even my Slingbox and Slingplayer iPhone software work quicker than that.
Worth noting is that you can access the RedEye from your local browser for control, which is nice... but you can't set up the RedEye this way... that would be IDEAL. The ThinkFlood website needs either a forum or wiki for troubleshooting... although you can call tech support, I am not with my RedEye during their support hours... I'm at work, it's at home watching my TV. Unfortunately, a rather lengthy email explaining my problem went unanswered and my 30 days from Amazon was running out...
It was these frustrations that led me to return the $188 device. Perhaps if it were cheaper I would have hung on to it... it seems like it has a lot of promise... the word "potential" comes up in some many of the Amazon reviews, but I don't have time or inclination that I used to to be a beta tester. I want a working product, not something that will eventually work. The lack of a robust IR database, the button lag, and the flaky connection I was getting were strong reasons to return it.

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With the RedEye system you can use your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to control your TV, stereo, cable box, DVD player, and many other devices that receive standard (infrared) signals. In other words, no more hunting through your sofa cushions for all those different remotes - all the control you need is right in your pocket.

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