Another outstanding analysis!
I loved your description of you and your roommate's different styles.
I still use Weapons Officer Assistance. I do consider it cheating for myself, but only because information gathering is immediate and perfect. If it took several sightings for a good solution and was capable of mistakes I would be perfectly happy. What I do to offset the speed and accuracy is to take at least three sightings, just as if I really was doing the calculations, and do it again when I switch targets.
Again, a great summation, and not long or boring at all.