"Yamahas have great new sounds but require going onscreen to transpose, mute parts, etc. I need those controls"at myy fingertips-"

No they don't. On the TYros 2, transpose buttons are easy to reach as are the buttons to mute parts on the styles and/or songs. I use them every night.

The SD1 fade IS programmable. I have the same problem as you regarding the hands. The T2 touch is a little lighter than SD1, but not as light as PSRs. I am able to live with it.
DonM