I have the same issue still as of the patch today on 28/02/2014.

I tested this by creating a local LAN game and picking the 48+2 stratis ZGM mission. I placed a unit, remote controlled it and could not use optics. Pressing my optics button raised the weapon, the same as pressing tactical stance normally does, but did not actually look down the optics.

I would say it is the static AA and AT that are most boring. They are literally just Titan's sitting on a tripod. AA guns or larger missile arrays you can sit in and revolve around would be cool.

Has this been left stagnant? Please look into it again, it is a real pain in the arse having them all load every single time.

I've had the same issue with the PCML locking on to people, that is on the standard vanilla beta build.

I haven't tested that extensively but for me it was happening in a briefing. I did the briefing for the Wet Work mission and when Miller was talking he was centre panned with no 3D positioning.

It is "fixed" for me on dev now (I'm using X-Fi Titanium HD).

However, the sound is no longer 3D positioned so it breaks immersion. You don't hear where the speech is coming from when you turn your head.

Should we open a new bug for this?

This is happening for me also for all briefings on the campaign on stable branch.

I'm using a Creative X-Fi Titanium HD soundcard in gaming mode with CMSS-3D enabled and headphones.