Learning to toggle your auto-aim takes a great deal of practice. In close range, the auto-aim is mostly accurate and you're pretty safe to leave it on. When fighting at ranges outside of 250m, you may find your energy weapons are more effective with auto-aim off. The key is to not get frusturated and keep working at it. Eventually, you'll find yourself getting an occasional hit at long range with auto-aim off rather than never hitting at range with auto-aim on.
== Combat Binds ==
Combat binds are programmed dodge patterns. Basically, you press a button and the ship will cary out the manuver that you have programmed ahead of time. I can't stress enough, DO NOT USE COMBAT BINDS. While temporarily effective, they lock you into a predictable pattern and make you incredibly inflexible. The binds will take away your ability to adapt during a fight. Also, you're not going to become a better pilot by using programmed binds. Keep practicing, find tactics you like and perfect those, but never lock yourself into a pattern such as a bind.
= Other General Combat Tips =
#Adapt adapt adapt! Make the enemy play into your strengths.
#Be patient.
#Don't get frusturated. If you feel that anger boiling up about being ganked by those two guys you hate, turn off the game and take a break for a while.
#Remember, it's just a game.