Who makes the 659? :dunno:
Ayuh, I suppose I should google before I open my craw....what's the difference between that and the 880? They look quite similar.
EDIT: I originally wrote 676 for some reason... the correct model # I was referring to is the 659. I have no idea how I came up with 676...
The 659 has the best backlight ever made, including an easy-to-locate activation button (with a nub that makes it the easiest button to find on the whole remote). Tactile buttons that can easily be manipulated by feel, no need to look. Fixed mode buttons. The perfect peanut shape with finger indentations on the bottom that make it easy to hold consistently. (It's all about hard buttons and muscle memory for me... I like the idea of an infinitely map-able LCD, but they fall apart as soon as you want to use one without looking, or have to light up a dark room and wince at the bright levels just to change something simple.
The closest they currently have is the 670, which is close, but not
quite as good... same backlight, thank goodness... BUT they moved the backlight button, for one thing, and got rid of the nub that made it so easy to locate. The transport keys are no longer as easy to work without looking. Still the best of the lot, though, and the one I'll buy (if they still make it) once my two 659's go, unless I can find a used 676 that's worth buying.
The 880 has some nice features and it looks pretty, but the ergonomics have taken a real hit. Try navigating those flat keys in a dark living room and you'll see what I mean. Get some nice Sanyo Eneloop batteries (two sets, so you can swap in the new ones whenever needed) and you never have to worry about charging... or running out of batteries... again, nor will you need to clutter up the living room / bedroom with a charging base station and power cord (not to mention power consumption from yet another always-plugged-in piece of hardware).
