I've now used the 976 remote and my Harmony 750 with the 976.
The harmony has much better range than the 976 remote does.

With the 976 remote, I find if I lower the aim of the remote towards the 976, it operates much better than if I'm aiming a bit higher than the display window. (Over two feet higher and it won't see the command)
I seem to have the lateral range of approximately a 45° angle outward from the 976. I also seem to be able to bounce the IR off of the left side wall of my room and achieve even greater functional range.
For me, this range would be sufficient to operate the 976 from any of my seats, if I wasn't using the Harmony to control all of my devices.

Even though I find I can point the Harmony in the opposite direction and still control the 976, it is still intuitive to aim towards the devices. Some of my other devices, like my converter box, I need to aim the Harmony towards it.
So, yes the 976 IR sensor on the front is very good.
The remote is adequate IMHO.