Radio Frequency (RF) technology is one of the best things a remote control can have. Since it doesn’t need a line of sight to your equipment (like infrared does), an RF remote will let you control your system from anywhere in your home. RF is to infrared as DVD is to VHS — a clearly superior upgrade. Yet RF has been around a long time, and the tech hasn’t trickled its way down through consumer electronics like you’d expect it would, pretty much staying confined to high-end gear and custom systems. For most brands, remotes are accessories, commodities, add-ons — not worthy of the latest and best.

Most brands other than Harmony, that is. The Harmony 900 remote control, which Logitech unveils today, is the only off-the-shelf remote control I’ve ever seen to include an infrared (IR) blaster system, which lets you use the through-walls magic of RF tech with your existing gear. Even better: The remote is as simple to set up as any other Harmony remote, since it uses the same Web-based setup system. All this, and a sleek touchscreen to boot.

I’ve been using the Harmony 900 for the past week and can honestly say it’s the best remote control I’ve ever used, and that includes a couple of touchpanels. Read my hands-on impressions after the jump, and find out if it’s really worth it’s sticker-shocking $400 pricetag.