I haven't played as much as I like given I'm updating my own mod, but with these additions, the game is a lot more immersive. I actually have to pay attention in the campaign layer now, and things that go on around me seem intriguing and mysterious. There is a sense of urgency when you see fleets burning away, sensor contacts at the edge of your radius coming in, fights between pirates and traders out in the chaos of hyperspace - should you assist or not?
These things have been sorely missing from the game, and I'm glad they're here.
As for the gameplay itself, Starsector is still rough. It's a sandbox built around the core of extremely gratifying combat - what's missing is the role-play experience, the feeling of a world you can interact with and change, and a sense of purpose. But I feel like the sensor mechanics, terrain etc. add some very important puzzle pieces that will fit well with the next steps. Exploration, assaulting and keeping outposts, or whatever is going to come in the future - sensors are really damn important.