Xantech 49085KITRP LCD/CFL Proof Micro Link IR Kit

The 49085 IR kit for LCD/CFL worked flawlessly with a placement of about 12 below the LCD TV. However, we did have two issues. First, if you are used to working with Xantech s other micro receivers, beware, this one is massive by comparison. Its Diminutive 3/4" size is the diameter of the mounting hole, not the front bezel. The picture on PE s website is incorrect as it is of the Micro Link and not the Massive Link. We mounted it in a Preference K-5LCR loudspeaker that is designed to work with Xantech s micro receivers. It required us to drill out the existing location in the speaker and to place standoffs underneath the X-over PC board to make room for the massive length of the receiver. The front bezel is also large and caused a slight bump in the grille. Thankfully the protrusion is difficult to see unless one is looking for it.

The other issue occurred when I unscrewed the bezel to change its color. The lens popped out and I was unsure of its orientation during reinstallation. There appears to be a conductive crosshatch material etched on one side of the lens but I could not find information in the instructions that explained which way to orient the lens. Recognizing that the conductive material needed to be in electrical contact with the housing to offer good EMI shielding, I oriented the conductive side toward the tubular body. Orienting it toward the room may not have worked with the black and white painted bezels because of the insulating effect of the paint.

I dropped its Value score primarily because of its high cost compared to the smaller Micro Link systems.

This product does what I need, with only one small issue. I have a Dish VIP 622 satellite receiver and I a had to experiment with placment of the emitter. It still acts like it sometimes does not get a signal, but I am also using it with a Harmony 550 remote, so that may need adjusting as well. Also, I would say that the IR receiver "eye" is quite large, so it took some creativity on my part to hide it. Overall, though, I am very pleased because now I have all of my components hidden (and out of the way of curious 21 month old hands).