I think about this often, and I am not opoosed to using a mouse. Sounds like if you have gimbaled weapons that would be the best choice, but I am no longer convinced the Vanguard needs gimbals, and the step up in firepower from fixed is most welcome.
Have you flow the Vanguard since the last fix or seen the vids? Seems to rotate just fine to me. It will still skid through turns and is a big target, so not ever gonna be the best dog-fighter, but these are not reasons to fly gimbals. And gees, who doesn't want that big S5 laser or a pair of the S4 ballistic canons on the chin?
I meant in FPS combat... With a shotgun, preferably, lol.
I have flown a Vanguard in the last 4 patches.
2.6.0- Vanguard was amazing and could compete in AC. It moved like a heavy fighter.
2.6.1- CIG nerfed the maneuverability but improved the DPS of the quad lasers by 40%. Vanguard dropped from the AC leaderboards and was flown by the stubborn.
2.6.2- CIG nerfed the maneuverability again. Most people stopped flying the Vanguard in AC.
2.6.3- CIG nerfed the maneuverability just a tad more but doubled the missile payload on the Warden.
I prefered the 2.6.0 version and I bought a Harbinger after I flew it. I was so happy. After 2.6.2, I melted it, though I can still fly a Hoplite thanks to my Redeemer.
The Vanguard is weak to fighters since that top turret doesn't do much right now. It can't turn well enough to shake a fighter off of its tail or keep them from taking out the engines.
Up against a Caterpillar or a Gemini, the Vanguard is a flying reaper. The larger ships can't stop it since it has enough firepower to pop the turrets while face tanking all of their damage. A hornet does more dps than the Warden but can't face tank a turret, though it can dodge so it doesn't have to.
I can see a sentinel being useful with its e-warfare suite. I can see a Harbinger being useful with its extra armor and torpedo payload. Both of them won't be popular up against fighters but both of these fight in deep space, out where short range fighters will need a carrier.
I decided that the Vanguard wasn't for me right now, though if CIG changed the Harbinger for the better, I'd still be tempted to get one. I think that the design forces fixed, even though I run mine with a gimballed combine. I just don't like how large the ship is compared to its firepower. It catches too many shots and has vulnerable engines that I don't want to deal with. I feel like my Cutlass has an easier time keeping its engines and you can shoot a a Cutlass engine from almost every direction.
I like the idea of the Redeemer better. Seems like the better of the two even though it may be years before it hits the PU.
These are just my experiences and feelings. I can't point to numbers and tell you why I don't get good vibes from flying this ship.