But I realized I hadn't thought it through so am putting it out there for others to contribute (ie, none of us is as smart as all of us).
Features I can think of are:
Show charges remaining for analyzers.
This could be a number displayed in itemPicker lists and in the 'U'se menu. A number superimposed over the icon image would be one way of doing it. This would work for both the lists and the 'U'se menu.
Or a line (tag?), "Charges: n", in the item description text (same as military, WMD: n, etc) would help determine which analyzer to buy/sell or jettison.
It might be worthwhile to have both the number over the icon and a text equivalent in lists as this would help explain what the number is.
Visible setting number for the Jotun deflector.
I like this shield but it is just so cumbersome to use that I rarely install it. It's potentially more useful now that solar refueling is disabled. Although shield hp can be seen in the game screen normally, from which you can quickly calculate the current setting, the circular HUDs use a percentage value instead which shows 100% for every setting, so the setting can't be determined from this.
The setting number could be shown before or after the shield name in the armor/shield HUD. Same as the ammo count in the weapons HUD.
PS: if anyone has any ideas on how to make the Jotun easier to use, please post them.
Ammo count in disposable launchers.
When installed the launchers clearly display missile numbers. But in itemPicker lists, when buying/selling or jettisoning, it's a mystery. Relative counts for multiple launchers can be determined from item price (lower price, less missiles) but a clear count would be better. As in the analyzers, a number superimposed over the icon image would do this nicely for both lists and the 'U'se menu. Or a number displayed in the item description for lists. Maybe fully charged ones could have 'new' added to the item name, eg "a new DM600 disposable..." although this may conflict with reload mods, not sure.
Others which I think could use this feature: (I've never used these so can't comment on them)
Gaian demolition cannon
Qianlong archcannon
And the rechargable Reenu weapon in VOTG.
And a couple of vague mod ideas could maybe use this as well.
A weapon which has a limited lifespan. So the active crystals inside the super-particle-whatever weapon degrade slowly for so many ticks until the weapon becomes unusable. The lifetime remaining could be displayed as a number on the icon image (or something, only a thought at this time).
A drive device with a number of inbuilt non-replaceable speed boosts. Boosts remaining could be displayed numerically.
An armor dealer who resold damaged armor could have armor damage show as a hp number.
This feature could also help end some of the confusion for new players about why you can get multiple, seemingly identical items displaying separately in itemPicker lists.
Any other ideas?