Let's talk about the SkyTech 9800337 Smart Batt remote – the little gadget that brought my fireplace into the 21st century. As someone who's wrestled with finicky fireplace controls, this upgrade felt like swapping a flip phone for a smartphone.

The installation was shockingly easy. Like one reviewer mentioned, I'm no spring chicken either (though I won't admit to 73!), but had it working in under 20 minutes. The wiring diagram is crystal clear – no electrical engineering degree required. The moment the remote paired instantly with my Heat-N-Glo unit, I did a little victory dance.

What really shines is the programmable thermostat. No more constantly adjusting dials – set your perfect temperature and let it work its magic. I tested it against my trusty room thermometer and can confirm it's spot-on accurate. The flame icon and battery indicators are nice touches that prevent those 'why isn't this working?!' moments.

Now, about that flip cover – it's a love-hate relationship. While it protects buttons from accidental presses (great when kids are around), you do have to open it for every adjustment. Not a dealbreaker, but slightly annoying when you're cozy under blankets.

A word to wise shoppers: yes, the receiver IS included despite what the product image suggests. Saved me hundreds compared to local quotes – my wallet is still thanking me.

One cautionary tale: check your package contents immediately like one unlucky buyer suggested. Mine came complete with all batteries securely packaged, but better safe than sorry with these things.

For anyone replacing an old remote or upgrading from manual controls, this SkyTech model delivers warmth without the hassle. Just maybe keep your old remote as backup during those cold winter nights – because as we all know, technology always fails at the worst possible moment!