seajays, I used a Sony RM-VL700 for years, then a VL900. I had all of the OEM remote functions programmed on the Sonys. I bought a cheap Radio Shack 15-2104 to teach the Sonys discretes and other functions which weren't on the OEM remotes. The VL900 (and the VL600 which replaces the 700/900) also has macros. It all worked well.
But, like you, I needed a crib sheet to remember where infrequently used functions were located. And some of the device functions (such as the DVD) were spread across more than one remote device key, because there weren't enough buttons on a single device key. I used my desktop publishing software to create a lovely little booklet, with the centre two-page spread having a complete chart of all the devices/buttons/functions. But every time I needed to look something up, I had to dig out the booklet. Every time I made a change to the remote's programming, I had to reprint the booklet.
Finally, it was time to move to the next level. Like you wrote, I strongly dislike touchscreens, because I like to be able to one-hand the remote entirely by feel, in the dark. I set my sights on a MX-700, but eventually ended up buying the MX-850 with RF 250 base, because of the cursor pad/backlight/colour as opposed to the 700. I didn't need RF, but now that I have it, it will get used.
An LCD for labeling turns out to be a real bonus, and having four pages per device means everything can fit. In fact, I have a 'Home Theatre' device which allows me to do all my commonly used functions (including macros) all on a single device, so I only have to change devices for those infrequently used functions. The LCD hard buttons can still be operated by feel, so I don't often have to look at the remote. But when I do, the buttons are properly labeled, and the backlight is there.
Being computer programmable, I found the 850 to be hands down the easiest remote I have ever programmed! I've never used the 500, but to save money it could be used just as well by teaching it the necessary discretes and other functions, as I did with the Sonys.
