The 659 is promoted as "The Family Remote" is it not? I own the 628(Costco Spec of 659) and I find incredibly easy to use as does my wife, 6yr old and 3 yr old. I have it for the main family room and it has enabled my family to watch or listen to what ever they want with out needing to grab 3 other remotes(or have me in the room). The buttons at the top being color coded are what help my 3 yr old operate it, when he wants to watch a movie he knows to push the blue button and everything turns on for him, the electronic babysitter never worked so well!
Yes there are some short falls but it seems if you need to do more with PVR's and such that maybe the higher end Harmony remotes might be better. My friend has the 688? and he uses it with a digital cable box and PVR and loves it.
