A justified assumption I would argue.
Just in case it helps you or anybody else a quick explanation.
On the Leopard 2A4 there's an eyepiece for the vehicle commander to look through. Both the "EMES" GPSE and the "Peri" musst be viewed through this eyepiece. There's is a switch that toggles between the two options. Pressing F2 will show the GPSE while pressing F3 will result in the view through the Peri. So pressing F2 or F3 doesn't actually change what optic you look through but what that optic displays. (Therefore clicking on “GPS Extension” from the Crew Commander’s “view” menu will actually display the GPSE.)
On the Leopard 2A5 and other version with the new Peri that eyepiece was moved to the left and no longer has the option to show the GPSE. Instead the GPSE can be displayed in the display for the TIM (which is integrated in the Peri). So pressing F2 will show the display and pressing F3 will show the Peri. (Therefore your virtual commander would need to move his head from one spot to another.)
Per default the display shows the TIM and not the GPSE.
I guess this was coded in Steel Beasts as is to keep it simple and not making it overcomplicated with additional keybinds.
To reiterate, in order for the display to show the GPSE you can either:
- Activate KH HZF which allows the vehicle commander to take control over the GPS and use (most of) the fire control system himself. The display automatically switches to GPSE when KH HZF is activated and it also switches back when the mode is deactivated again.
-To look through the GPSE without activating KH HZF you need to click F2, click on the screen and move your mouse onto the button below where it reads "Video".
But yes you are correct, it does indicate that you would be looking through the GPSE even though you aren't.
I hope this isn't too confusing.