Skip 1s Universal Remote Control

Ever since Logitech discontinued their Harmony line of computer programmable universal remotes, other companies swooped in to provide alternatives, but one thing in common is that they seemingly all aim to provide substitutes for high-end Harmony models. There weren't any modern substitutes for low-end Harmony models until FLIRC released their first universal remote, the Skip 1s. In my opinion, I find high-end universal remotes great for complex setups like in a loungeroom or home theatre, but overkill for basic setups like in a bedroom where there may just be a TV and a pay TV receiver, or even just a TV with built-in smart functionality and a built-in tuner connected to an aerial (antenna).I use this particular remote I bought in one of the bedrooms in my flat (apartment), where there's an old TV with smart features I don't use (due to app support being almost entirely gone), a pay TV receiver, and (controlled via a FLIRC USB) a streaming box.The documentation for the Skip remotes, as well as other FLIRC products, can be accessed through their website. They include a card with a QR code that's intended to link to a quick start guide, but the code for mine had a broken link, however I was able find my way to the support section of their website where I could download the ‘Skip App’, the app used to program Skip remotes like the 1s.A USB cable and batteries are included, so I could get started right away. After opening the Skip App for the first time, it took me through a step-by-step process to set the remote up, name it, and create the first activity. Similar to Harmony remotes, the focus is with activities, which allow users to control multiple devices without switching pages. For example, you could power on a TV and switch inputs, then directly adjust the volume on a sound bar (if either or both the TV and sound bar do not support HDMI ARC), and when switching to an external device input, control that device directly, especially if there were poor or no HDMI CEC support on either the TV and/or device sides.I should also point out that unlike with Harmony remotes (as well as some universal remotes from other brands), an online account is not needed to set up and program a Skip remote. Instead of backing up configuration data to a cloud service, they can be exported to files and imported back in.I do warn that the remote, at least with PCs running Windows, can only be connected to a USB-C port, which are usually found on PCs built in 2018 or later. I did try connecting this to a USB-A port on the same PC I set mine up on, as well as the USB ports on an old laptop from 2015, but the remote didn't get detected in both cases. (Edit: It may work with USB-A ports on some PCs or USB-C to A adaptors, but it didn't work on my PCs, instead being detected by Windows but not by Skip App, so this issue may be fixed in a future software update)In the app, activities can be managed easily. When configuring an activity, you could click on buttons on the remote graphic to see what they're assigned to, delete commands, and when you want to add a command to a button, just drag the associated circle from the command list onto the button.By default, the software does add power toggle commands for each device added to an activity to the power button, but for more complex setups, as well as TVs from certain brands which have hidden commands for separate power on, off, and input selection, those can be added manually after creating the activity. In the list of commands associated with the power button, "Up" refers to the power on action, and "Down" refers to the power off action.This remote feels quite nice to use, especially when navigating menus. It's clear to me that FLIRC put thought into their design and, unlike with the original remote for the TV I'm using this to control, knew not to go with thick blocky rubber buttons that would feel uncomfortable after some time.In the current version of Skip App as of posting this review, there's the ability to learn entire remotes in the event the device isn't in the app's device database and does use an infrared remote, but there isn't yet the ability to learn missing commands and add them to existing control sets, however they may fix that in a future software update. As a workaround when the command set for the pay TV receiver I use is missing a couple of buttons, I added the service itself as a device, then added the brand and model of the pay TV receiver they provided me to get one of the missing buttons, and added an additional entry for a discontinued received model previously used by the service to get the other missing buttons, as both receivers use the same IR command set.The 4 colour button below the direction pad is referred to as the Skip Key, and by default has the 4 colour buttons (red, green, yellow, black) that some devices have. In my use case, I reassign the Skip Key buttons to access extra commands that don't fit on the remote itself.

First things first, it works. Thats pretty much all that I am looking for in a universal remote. Finding my devices and setting it up on their app was really easy. I found myself just clicking away and things just worked. The quality of the remote looks and feels great. Once its all set up, it performs smoothly. They’ve also got new features coming up that I’m excited about, especially the ability to record devices that are not found on the their software.All that said, it definitely has some room for improvement. Things did just work when I started clicking away, but I was a little confused. For some devices, the codes were generically labeled, like “Codec 1 (Most models)” so you kind of have to go through a process of trial and error. Luckily my first choices did seem to work but if it didn’t, the process to making adjustments isn’t the best. Some areas in the software are a little finicky, but TBH I’m just pretty happy that it works, and works well.Its kinda hard to beat what it has offer for that price. I own a few of their other products like the Flirc USB and their Raspberry Pi cases, so I felt comfortable and confident purchasing their remote. From my experience they listen to customer feedback, so I’m looking forward to their future updates.

The entire experience was top-notch! Everything from the buttons, packaging, LED, setup guide, etc was high quality!! I was able to set up my Sony TV and LG with just a few clicks in just a minute or two. This is easily the best remote that I have ever purchased!!

This product simply does not do what it claims. If you need a remote to control one piece of equipment (like a TV), it would work, but you can find much cheaper options.But if you want it to control multiple items of equipment, like a TV, Roku, and amplifier, and then switch between multiple activities (like streaming, playing a Blu-ray, watching TV), this product CANNOT do it.The instruction manual admits this shortcoming: even though there are three "activity" buttons (A, B, C), they don't actually change anything on your equipment, like switching inputs. They only change how the remote behaves.If you buy this remote, hoping for functionality similar to the excellent (but sadly discontinued) Logitech Harmony universal remotes, you will be vastly disappointed. Save yourself the return hassle and just don't buy it. I bought three of them, hoping they would work for three different entertainment center areas in my house, but sent them all back.The makers of this product could have made it much, much better. It actually has the capability to perform like a Harmony remote, but it seems like they just gave up on development before it was fully functional. Their online manual shows when the last updates were made, and they are all over two years old. They seem to have given up on the product and are just milking it.Sad to think what could have been...