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wireman007
Contributor III
July 23, 2014

Bring Back the Sonos CR200 Controller!

  • July 23, 2014
  • 49 replies
  • 20091 views
It is my opinion that "dropping the CR200 dedicated controller" was the WORST decision ever made by Sonos.

I have just spent another wasted afternoon unsuccessfully attempting to teach an elderly customer how to control his new $3000 Sonos system without the CR200.

I tried an Android phone, iPhone, iPad Mini, iPad and he could not understand how to control Sonos.

My clients are all age 60+. Most don't even have smart phones. The CR200 worked perfectly for these people. I still prefer my own CR200 over any other controller. My Sonos sales have nose-dived after the CR200 was discontinued!

Wake up Sonos. Even Bose understands how vital a dedicated controller is. Bring back the CR200!!!
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    49 replies

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    david brim
    Avid Contributor I
    July 25, 2014
    With the Nexus 7 I use a wireless charging dock to sit it in. Got in on line for about £30
    So its easily picked up swipe for open straight to my SONOS app and instantly connected
    JohnG
    Avid Contributor I
    July 25, 2014
    With the Nexus 7 I use a wireless charging dock to sit it in. Got in on line for about £30
    So its easily picked up swipe for open straight to my SONOS app and instantly connected

    Is that dock compatible with the first version of the Nexus7? Also will it let you charge it in landscape mode?
    Dr Tchok
    Avid Contributor I
    July 25, 2014
    @JohnG

    I think you're referring to the 2012 Nexus 7. I have just bought this dock for a 2012 Nexus 7 from Amazon UK. You can charge in landscape mode (in fact, only in landscape).

    Nexus 7 2012s are available on Amazon for about £120 - I picked one up last week to replace an ailing CR100. No need to get a higher spec'd tablet IMHO as the Nexus 7 2012 is plenty fast enough.

    FWIW, I disable the swipe to start function, and using Wildroid's Wakeup Screen, which causes the Nexus 7 to wake as soon as it is picked up, together with Target Home Launcher to ensure the home screen is locked onto the Sonos app, I can pretty much recreate a CR200 at a fraction of the price. You simply pick up the Nexus 7, it comes on, and there is the Sonos app ready to play.

    Now, if I could find a way to stream the Netflix app on the Nexus 7 to the Play 1s in my bedroom, life would be complete (until the next thing...) ;)

    T
    JohnG
    Avid Contributor I
    July 25, 2014
    @JohnG

    I think you're referring to the 2012 Nexus 7. I have just bought this dock for a 2012 Nexus 7 from Amazon UK. You can charge in landscape mode (in fact, only in landscape).

    Nexus 7 2012s are available on Amazon for about £120 - I picked one up last week to replace an ailing CR100. No need to get a higher spec'd tablet IMHO as the Nexus 7 2012 is plenty fast enough.

    FWIW, I disable the swipe to start function, and using Wildroid's Wakeup Screen, which causes the Nexus 7 to wake as soon as it is picked up, together with Target Home Launcher to ensure the home screen is locked onto the Sonos app, I can pretty much recreate a CR200 at a fraction of the price. You simply pick up the Nexus 7, it comes on, and there is the Sonos app ready to play.

    Now, if I could find a way to stream the Netflix app on the Nexus 7 to the Play 1s in my bedroom, life would be complete (until the next thing...) ;)

    T

    Thanks for that. I already own a 2012 Nexus7 so I should be able to recreate this fairly easily.
    Timpani
    Contributor III
    July 25, 2014
    Yep! also bring back gas lights, top hats and sending children up chimneys. Come on people we know some of you don't like change but it's time to move on.

    Keep moving forward and stop looking back.
    BCM
    BCM
    July 26, 2014
    ... and sending children up chimneys.

    lol. What?
    NoBoB
    NoBoB
    July 26, 2014
    lol. What?

    Chimney sweeps!
    DavidField
    Lyricist III
    December 2, 2014
    @JohnG

    Nexus 7 2012s are available on Amazon for about £120 - I picked one up last week to replace an ailing CR100. No need to get a higher spec'd tablet IMHO as the Nexus 7 2012 is plenty fast enough.

    T

    New to Sonos and was looking for a secondhand controller till I read this post. I was controlling system with iPhone but my wife was complaining it took too long to open the app and connect on to the wifi. Found Expansys selling 8gb nexus 7 for £59.99
    Can't post the link but easy enough to find on google shopping
    BCM
    BCM
    December 2, 2014
    I was controlling system with iPhone but my wife was complaining it took too long to open the app and connect on to the wifi.

    Never ceases to amaze me the stuff people complain about.
    TJRL
    Renowned Enthusiast II
    December 3, 2014
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DavidField View Post
    I was controlling system with iPhone but my wife was complaining it took too long to open the app and connect on to the wifi.

    Never ceases to amaze me the stuff people complain about.
    I think I would also complain about such (albeit short) delays. Back in the day when I used to use a HiFi system, you pressed a button and instant music. Sonos should be better not slower.

    On the whole, I prefer the old CR100. I'm not really bothered about touch screen.
    We do too. CR100 minimal delay & maximum ease of use (hard buttons!). 😃
    7x CR100, 2x CR200, 5x SP100, 1x ZP80, 7x ZP100, 1x iPod Dock, 1x Boost, 4x Play 1, 3x Play 3, 2x Play 5, 1x PlayBar & 1x Sub.
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