I use it to check multiple locations on smoked items once my Maverick and smoker therm tell me I'm at finished temp (think in terms of 4 or more pork butts, some sausage, some chicken). It also comes in very handy when checking temp on grilled items like steak, sausage, chicken, fish, etc...pretty hot environment so the instant read comes in handy. You could use gloves with a slower therm, but I don't usually bother. Most of the experienced folks all have them.
Seems like a small additional investment compared to the price of your smoker. Wait a few months and ask your wife to give you one for Christmas, however, they're on sale right now.