I've still only managed to play two rounds in CQC. Partially because I got bored of waiting for matches and went back to exploring. I don't really mind getting killed in this game format, but when I do get a match, it's with people ranked much higher in much better ships. But even getting killed 10-12 times in two matches vs. 1-2 kills and 2-3 assists, I still ranked up to the Sidey after my second round. It seems pretty ridiculous to rank up that fast.
My first feel of the Condor was that it was a pig. It may have just felt slow because of the scale of the arena. And it's just a weak as the Condors in the CZs and die just as fast. Maybe the Sidey will last a little longer when I get around to trying it.
It was also fun to self-destruct when I accidentally flew out of the arena area. I got the warning and so turned and started flying toward a structure, but continued to get warnings until I blew up. I wish they marked the arena a little better - maybe have a Star Trek type Tholian Web mark the boundaries (only appear when you leave the arena), or have the HUD point you back to the active area. Maybe the compass already does this, so I'll need to check that out next time.
It's also strange how the so-called "fixed" weapons are actually gimballed and lose tracking when chaff is used. It would be nice to have stronger fixed weapons and weaker slower firing gimballed - your choice. At least you don't need to worry about sub-targets.
So far, I think it will be a pretty fun option for an arcade style game within the simulation. It will be nice when they work some of the bugs out, like making matches faster and with more equally ranked opponents (especially for noobs).