I have just tried it on a sony S270 with the lens from the 301 and it will not work there either, This must be a lens problem that is incompatible with the manfrotto remote.
I just got one of these too and it will not work with my HPX-301 as said the led light does not come on and it will not control the zoom function.
Wish I had read your post first as I now have to send this back.