When thinking about the psychology of the reveal, I think that from the viewer's standpoint it's important to think about the type of game/reveal. If you're revealing the price of an item digitally, a viewer is likely to be less suspicious of game manipulation by the producers than if you're revealing the location of a bonus, or an X. In the viewer's mind, a price is established, but a location is determined by the person running the game. That's why the screens bother me in Bonus Game.
I agree with you in general, and in particular I'm glad I'm not the only one with the same thought concerning Bonus Game. That display change, along with the loss of the classic turntable spin shot, took Bonus Game off of my list of favorite games. Though I'm not suggesting any manipulation, the reveal of the "Bonus" just doesn't feel the same with the current display.
I would have no problem at all with an LCD update of the price digits in 3 Strikes. If done, I hope those in charge would keep the digit font the same, as was done with the one-bid readouts.