Freelancer had a control system where the mouse worked like a joystick. In the sense that you kept turning as long as the courser was moved off center, rather than the FPS style turn while the mouse moves.

I wish for a similar system in VO. This will combine the main benefit of using a joystick, not having to sweep the mouse over the pad to turn, while still using a mouse.

As an option, maybe. I like it the way it is right now, easy(ish) to get precision.. What are you doing where you have to turn so damn much, anyway? I also recommend turning up sensitivity to help with the 'ran out of mousepad' issue.

+1 as an option, like mouselook.

Very common in Flight Sims, requires a "+" cursor to indicate center/move. Can be excellent also for trackpad and trackpoint users, netbooks in limited space...

if a target gets very close things get hairy and I usually lose sight of said target with mouse flailing. sensitivity is maxed out as is. It's not that big an issue, but would be a good option to have.

Have you tried flight assist mode off? You can back up, then.

of course..I'm not THAT big a newb