Choosing the Best Terk Leapfrog Remote Control Extender Kit LFIRX

Product Description

Model- lf-irx vendor- audiovox electronics features- leapfrog ir remote extender extends the range of any remote control and operates through obstacles from up to 120 feet away. Freestanding units works with most remote controls and a/v components. Installs easily expandable system: add an additional receiver (lfirx-rx) and/or transmitter (lfirx_tx) sold separate.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18829 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Terk
• Model: LFIRX
• Format: CD-ROM
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 1.00" w x 1.00" l, 1.40 pounds

Features

• Wireless range extender for remote controls
• Increases the range of any remote control up to a 100 feet (may vary based on environment)
• Power Supply: AC 120V, 60Hz (in), DC 12V, 120mA (out)
• Triple Infrared extension
• Allows you to control Satellite receiver, DVD player, personal video recorder, cable box, VCR, stereo receiver

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

85 of 87 people found the following review helpful.
Works great with Tivo, but needs to be setup 'just right'
By Matthew Hunter
I purchased the Terk Leapfrog to control my Tivo from the bedroom, after running cables for the audio/video through the wall. In the end, this has worked excellently for me - so let me explain why it doesn't get the full 5 stars.

Initial setup with this product couldn't be easier. You simply unpack the two pieces, plug in the two included AC adapters - and that's it! I was surprised there was no programming it to accept certain IR codes... it just picks up whatever the remote might be throwing out, and relays it appropriately. When I first unpacked it, I set the one unit right in front of my Tivo, sitting about 2 inches from the Tivo's IR receiver. I took the other one into our bedroom and plugged it in. Presto - I could control the Tivo from the bedroom.

Now that I'd confirmed it worked, I went back to my living room to try and find a nice, out of the way place for the Terk Leapfrog to sit. It obviously had to have a clear line of sight to the Tivo... which I figued left me with plenty of choices. I tried putting it on a bookshelf, that was on quite an angle from the Tivo - but with no luck. I tried hiding it behind a picture frame (where is still had a clear line of sight to the Tivo) on a table that was closer to the Tivo... but again no luck. I went on to try 4-5 other places around the room, but could never make it work consistently.

Finally, I placed it *behind* the tivo, and used the included IR 'extender' (which is a little cable, with a peanut sized IR transmitter on the end). I snaked this little cord under the tivo, and then attached the little IR transmitter so it's aiming right at the Tivo's IR reciever. This, finally, worked. Just for comparison, I can aim my Tivo remote almost anywhere in the room and have the signal picked up by the Tivo, so I'm confident that the Tivo is not the problem here.

So... The good thing about this product is that it does work... the bad thing is that it seems it needs to be aimed by a professional sharpshooter to get the signal to your device.

Pros:

-Super fast setup

-Works great with your Tivo

Cons:

-Hard to get the 'placement' of the IR sender just right.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful.
Works great (contrary to other people's experiences)
By J. A. Edwards
Unlike some other reviewers I've had no problems with this product whatsoever. I was dubious about buying this low-priced unit in light of these other reviews and what I thought would be a challenging environment. I set up the two units easily in less than 5 minutes and it worked great from the get-go. I'm throwing the signal about 50 feet through three household walls (from my house to my mom's house next door). I'm really not sure why other users had problems but I was very pleasantly surprised with how effortlessly it all went together.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
Read the dates of the reviews before buying!
By William R. Geary
You might notice that the newer reviews are harsher than the older ones. I just purchased this from Circuit City and it does not work. I tried a variety of rooms, remotes and configurations and only time it worked was then the remote was less than 6 inches from the sender unit.
As a side note...I have tried to write this review on CC's website and I keep getting an error message...yet the ratings on CC's website are very high- shady.

See all 197 customer reviews...