Double-check the batteries in the MX-500?

I had to replace my broken MX-500 (it was "spiked" by a family member out of frustration) and I got the URC-200. I may return it and get another MX-500 because I need the dedicated macro buttons at the bottom - I like the idea of having those 3 macro buttons always work, as if they were "punch threw" buttons. It does me no good to need to be on a certain screen for a macro to work. With my MX-500 I had these macros:

ON = turns on everything, ready to watch DirecTV.
OFF = turns off everything except what is needed for scheduled recordings.
M1 = switches everything to DirecTV
M2 = switches everything to Cable
M3 = switches everything to DVD
... and I had to add one push-down macro on an LCD button for switching to Xbox (an M4 would have been perfect).

With the URC-200, there are no dedicated macro buttons, and no way to make them show and/or work regardless of what was previously pressed or what screen you are on. Family members don't want to hear that they have to first press MAIN, then hold down the correct LCD button for 2 full seconds in order to switch everything to start the correct task.

However, I've only had the URC-200 for one night (4 hours of programming it already, and I like it significantly less so far, so I'm a bit down). If anybody has a good workaround or recommendation that would resolve things for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks! -Rick