I just got my new 7000 programmed and am starting to use it. It's very hard to find the hard buttons in the dark. Especially the 5 on the right side. Too bad these do not have some sort of lighted indicator. Does anyone have any tips?

If you hit the backlight button (small button, upper left side), they will light up.
Once you've used the remote a while, you will remember where the buttons are, just like you do on any other remote.

I agree with FBlack. I find the buttons quite akward to use. I also have a TSU2000, with the small raised round buttons. Much easier to use, and they illuminate on their own when you press one.

Personally I would really like to see the button backlight assignable to the pickup sensor. So you can choose if you want the screen and/or backlight to come on when you pick the remote up.

The problem I have with the buttons is that they basically feel the same to the touch and are close together.

Well. Some folks have glued plastic pinheads onto the buttons. Search for posts from Archer where he discusses this.

One alternative is to return the remote and buy an older TSU6000/RC9200 or a newer RC9500 (much more moolah) which uses the same form factor that was used on the Marantz RC9200.