I use it all the time, but maybe for different reasons than most here. In cold and nasty weather, I am huddled up behind my dodger. That is 7 feet from my twin wheels and 8 feet from the AP control behind the starboard wheel. With the remote, I can alter course, check depth, speed, wind speed, cross track error, distance to next waypoint, etc... all without having to leave what relative shelter I have behind my dodger. I love it. Those purposes wouldn't necessarily apply with a trawler.
I also single hand a fair amount so I am up on the foredeck setting a spinnaker, setting or retrieving fenders, docking lines, etc.... It is really helpful to have the AP remote since our winds are so fickle.
There is also the silly hope that if I go overboard, and am suspended next to the hull by my tether and jack line, that I might be able to influence the direction of the boat, hence its heel, if I can use the remote on the lanyard around my neck. Vain hope, but still....
I was given the AP remote as an outgoing gift for serving as President of my State professional organization. I was fortunate that one of the board members was a fellow sailor and knew what I would like.