I wanted to clarify my previous comments concerning ZERO Icons:
First, I feel it would be useful only when you have Historical planesets (which I tend to fly as much as I can) or in H2H FFA.
Second There is a new setting in AHII that allows you to set the "FullIconRange" from 24000 to 1. I set mine to 1 so nobody sees the extra icon information. This will explain why you might see this information at different distances in different arenas
I agree that numbers in any particular arena are not indicative of anything. Different strokes for different folks. I applaud HiTech for the variety offered to everyone. I personally do not like arenas stuffed to the gills with "spray and pray" types in only 2 or three different types of planes.
I prefer the smaller "Historical" or "Reality" based arenas where the radar, ammo and planesets are limited. I used to fly the CT reguarly and had some good times there. I have since gone to Free Multiplayer only, which are limited to only 8 peoples at a time and I have have a great time there. Once again I applaud HiTech for allowing people this option.
I am presently running an "Allied versus Axis" arena with the settings as real as I can get (no outside view, stall limiter off, limited radar ranges and altitudes and limited fuel and ammo, bases only flash for vehicles and boats , etc). One of the requests I have, is the ability as a CM to turn Icons on or off or shorten their range either for friendly or enemy or both. I flew "Scenerios" when I was in WB (long ago) which had no icons or very short icons and it was A LOT of fun and very enlightening.
I hope AHII will eventually allow CM's the ability to change Icon settings and will also someday set up an arena that is based on more Historical settings like no outside views, limited radar, short or no icon ranges, limited ammo, no flashing bases for fighters and bombers etc. Not everyone would fly this arena but those that did would enjoy it very much.
I miss this type of arena and would return to being a paying customer if one were available.
P.S. I disagree that MA flyers have better SA than CT flyers. I would propose that MA flyers on average have worse SA than CT flyers. There are a lot more inexperienced flyers in MA than there were in the CT. MA flyers are more of the instant gratification mindset and less of SA, Strategy or Realistic mindset, this explains the reason the CT had smaller numbers. To MA'ers it is merely a game of kill or get killed as fast as you can.