One of our Gift Shop merchants sent us a notice of this sale item, and it's compelling enough to pass it along you.

For an unspecified amount of time, J&R Music and Computer World is offering the Logitech Harmony Remote 880 for $159.99 with free shipping. This remote lists for $249, and a quick check of prices at other retailers ranged from $172 at Amazon.com (unless you select J&R from the vendor list, of course) to $249.99 at Best Buy.

I can hear you thinking, $160 for a remote? What are you thinking? Ah, but how many remotes reside on your coffee table at home, and how many of them do you need just to watch TV or turn on a movie? If the answer is more than one, then you should consider getting a universal remote. While others may require some complex programming and looks of disapproval from your spouse when something doesn't work, this one is programmed on the Internet by visiting a web site, entering the equipment you have, and attaching the remote to your computer with a USB cable.

Once it is programmed, you select easy buttons like "Watch TV" or "Listen to CD" or "Watch DVD" (see photo at left) and it takes care of switching inputs on the TV, the receiver, and providing you with the controls for your DVD player, TiVo, or CD player. The color screen makes it easy to use, and a "help" system will troubleshoot any troubles you might run into.

I wish I could say that I've used one myself and I could speak from personal experience, but alas, I have a programmable touchscreen universal remote that is infinitely flexible in what it can do, but a year later, I'm still tweaking settings and moving things around to suit my liking. This is the remote I want my parents to have, though, and the holidays are just a short four months away...

Click on the image or text link below to be taken to J&R's site to buy or for more information:

$159.99 - HARMONY REMOTE 880 Advance Universal Remote

I have no idea how long this sale price will last, or if it's a new regular price. Given the large differential in this price vs. other online and local retailers I found, I wouldn't wait very long to take advantage of a great price and free shipping!