The second complaint is easily modded out in the Data\Settings.txt file. Set these lines to TRUE (skip the ship and unit ones, naturally), and sight will be just like it is in SE4:
Can See Star At Any Distance := TRUE
Can See Planet At Any Distance := FALSE
...
Can See Asteroids At Any Distance := FALSE
Can See Storm At Any Distance := FALSE
Can See Warp Point At Any Distance := FALSE
The next 5 reference objects that do not actually exist in the game code, so can be ignored.
=0=
Note that SE5 is about more than just a graphical upgrade; there is a lot of candy for modders too.
The game still needs work to be more fun to play, though.