What you want is definitely possible with the 810 - but it is not necessarily easy.

The benefit of going with the 980 is open architecture - namely, that once you figure out the general way to program with CCS, you can get anything you need done. This is great for experienced installers but, as you say, can be daunting for the unexperienced.

The 810 is a competent remote. You seem to imply that you already have experience with it. If that is the case, and you feel comfortable with it's programming, then there is nothing wrong with it. Be aware that it is designed to run one room and to make the programming as straight forward as possible. This apparent benefit to the unexperienced programmer comes back to bite you when you want to make the 810 do something nonstandard, like running a zone 2. It seems that you run a great chance of being faced with the same issue as if you had a 980 - trouble with programming - but in that circumstance the 980 wins hands down in terms of potential to get what what you want done with minimum hassle.

my $0.02