I spent many times that on the Gigapan Epic Pro which was programmable, yet had no remote. It's a tool like anything else.
Remote cameras are also good for safety restricted areas in lieu of a human operator.
Actually this would be very helpful for wedding photographers. Mount a speed light on it and remotely control where it is pointed without lowering the light stand. If I was still shooting weddings I would have bought three or four of these for reception lighting.
While considerably more expensive (and the price appears to have gone up a few hundred since I purchased my kit, before Manfrotto purchased the company) the Syrp Genie Mini II Pan and Tilt kit is a lot more flexible and works well for motion-controlled timelapse as well as panos. The Pan Tilt bracket allows you to properly set movement on the nodal point. The app's a pleasure to use as well.
