Torashuu

As apparently I'm missing something, what is the supposed functional difference between mechanical & electrical caging?

The mechanical & Electrical caging both have the same effect, but the usage is different. This has to do, as I understand it, with the fact that extended uncaging times will induce drift in the gyros used for the gunsight. Especially during hard manouvers. So the procedure is that if you are about to enter a fight, you uncage mechanically, but hold down the electrical cage switch to keep the gunsight caged. As you then manouver in a position for a shot you will use the caged gunsight to lock your radar, release electrical cage, aim & take your shot. As to why just the electrical caging with a toggle isn't enough, that has to do with power failure redundancies I would guess.