That will be a great pod ! Did mine in the same location more that 20 years ago. I've never regretted it. It has not created any problems with the traveler or the main sheet movement. Companion way access is still more than ample for even my tallest and biggest friends ! And in answer to the questions here is what 33000 miles of navigation have thought me:
1) Distance from behind the wheel to the pod is more like 6 feet + and the 34 cockpit being T-shape, you have some gymnastic to go around the wheel to reach the pod. That is not an issue as I leave my ST-60 windmeter set to apparent wind and the tridata has been compensated & adjusted for depths in feet, speed in knots and log in nautical miles. Those settings stay the same when the instruments are shut off and turned on again.
2) Indeed everyone in the cockpit can see them. The drawback is that there always seem to be someone who likes to stand in the companion way, blocking the view of the instruments to the helmsman and everybody else. Not an issue for me as I sail singlehanded most of the time, and not an issue either when I have someone who does it as I simply tell them to get out of there. Not only do they block the view but I also explain that it is a safety issue.
3) I agree that would be a wrong position for the autopilot control as the helmsman needs to be able to get to it quickly, easily, and within reach. I have located mine just below the little shelf in the coaming on starboard side. See pics.