Maybe it feels different than combat in the main game, but for good reason, IMHO. I have had my fair share of combat in the main game - normally in CZ or Res sites, but occasionally against other players, too - and I think the fighting in CQC is much more exciting and exhilarating. After playing CQC enough to reach the rank of "champion", returning to combat in the main game feels slow and sluggish, mainly depending on ship loadouts - hence all the complaining about overpowered modifications in "The Engineers" - and not at all on skill. Wouldn't PvP interested people be more interested in testing their skill than just showing of their modules?
CQC has too low of a skill ceiling for me to invest in, it normalizes not stats but player skill to a degree with its aim assist and power up.
Saying a person is skilled in CQC is equivalent to saying said individual has memorized the location of the power ups and won't engage unless said individual has an upper hand in the engagement, let it be produced by power up or coming up from behind.
I don't know, does that sound familiar to something?