Sharp sticks have the longest range and they also do not use energy as the two guns do. Save these for capital ships and use the others for dogfighting. It is the smoothest and most informative HUD for a game of this genre in my experience. There are many visual and audible indicators for target tracking, in-range information, and missile lock. The crosshair provides aiming reference and has a computer aided lead site for aiming guns and Sharp Sticks.
Missiles have a lock circle that starts out large and decreases in size as the lock firms up.
Once the target is locked up the circle will flash and you will receive a lock tone. Missiles can be fired before a firm lock is achieved sacrificing accuracy. You also have communications, radar, damage, target information, and energy management displays. Lightened sections of the map are known space where you have a star base or sensor beacon located. Darkened areas are the unknown and the most likely hiding places for Taureg attackers.