i think there are various different grades of the HO.
the two main types are:
1: two planes fly at each other from a large distance and keep flying straight at each other untill the HO is unavoidable.
outcome:
both planes damaged or possibly dead due to ramming.
conclusion:
this type of HO is skilless and avoidable and BORING.
2: two planes meet head on in a turn fight and are imediately in a HO situation due to close proximity and unavoidable manouvers.
outcome:
same as above but more importance is put on reaction time, accuracy, and pilot error.
both pilots have about 2 seconds to decide to HO, shoot striaght, and avoid the other plane.
conclusion:
this type of HO is much less avoidable and part of the unpredictable nature of combat flying.
personaly i try to avoid all HO.
back when i was a two week newbie (10 months ago or so) i would simply HO because it was all i could gain as far as a gun solution went.
HOs suck , but they are a valid tactic.
deal with it and re-plane with honour.
just my deux centimes
Batfink