A new Kameleon model at RadioShack!

[Mark Pierson]

The RS website has this Kameleon 4-in-1 Universal Remote with Light-Up Keys listed for $49.99. Maybe we have another JP1 remote coming on the scene???

The new store locator doesn't seem to be working at the moment, so I can't tell if it's available at any of my local stores. Rob, do you have any inside info on this puppy yet?

[Nils_Ekberg]

The RS website has this Kameleon 4-in-1 Universal Remote with Light-Up Keys listed for $49.99. Maybe we have another JP1 remote coming on the scene???

The new store locator doesn't seem to be working at the moment, so I can't tell if it's available at any of my local stores. Rob, do you have any inside info on this puppy yet?

And they even have the manual on line already Kameleon 15-2136 Manual
It actually looks pretty good even has a disable switch for the tilt.

[The Robman]

I knew nothing about it before this and you know what, in order to get my hands on one, I'm gonna have to buy one (and then return it, hee hee), because even though the guys at both UEI and OFA have been very supportive, I've not got jack s**t from RS. Once I asked if I could get an advance sample of the 15-2104 before it hit the streets and I got a very rude reply from their remote buyer, so I've left those idiots completely alone since then.

[usblipitor]

(The original kameleon series)At remote central the opinion of the user reviews is generally unfavorable: buzzing noise when the backlight is on; having the unit activate and eat batteries when the floor shakes; having the unit not activate when picked up and even when shaken; having to go to subscreens to do things that should be on the same screen; strange feeling buttons that you have to feel around for; remote does not feel comfortable in my hand, etc.

I think that every remote has something people will find fault with, that's what people like to do

In the pictures the kameleons look pretty strange but sort of interesting. What do the JP1 experts think of kameleon remotes? Are they worthwhile?

[The Robman]

Here's my personal opinion, and I think it's generally in line with what alot of people think.

The Kameleons make for great "gee wiz" flash appeal, so if the goal is to impress the baby sitter, these are the remotes to get. And also, for the general public, non advanced user, they're pretty good too. But, for the kind of advanced user that you'r elikely to find here, they don't hold much water.

Their chief appeal is that they hide all the un-needed buttons, so in DVD mode you won't see any PIP buttons, for example. But for advanced users, we use all those "extra" buttons for additional functions. Most of us don't have any "spare" buttons anymore, because they've all been put to some sort of good use. So, a nice regular remote like the URC-8811 is going to have much greater appeal to an expert than one of the Kameleons.

[Filebug]

I stopped off at RS today and they had about 10 of the 15-2136 remotes for sale at $50 each. I opened one up and they do not have a jp1 connector or the 6 pads to support a pogo pin adapter. They are a lot smaller than the 2133 and much more comfortable to hold. They still seem to be more of a "wow that's neat" item than something you would want to use everyday. Just my .02.