While I like the idea of a general utility slot, I doubt it would happen without more general utility items. To be honest though, pilot slot already acts as the general slot for other classes since most pilot stuff is useless you're a pilot.
As is, my GWS idea gives crew mates speed at the expense of the visual tactical advantage of the spyglass, making it essential that the ship's designated spotter must actually be doing his job. Reinforcing the idea behind preferred play styles reinforced by the other items.
As to why it should be a pilot item:
Zill, while you may use the spyglass, I opt to let my crew do the spotting for a free slot. As a pilot, I've been in dozens of situations where leaving the helm means life or death in assisting with repairs or leaping on a gun to finish a ship while my gunners are occupied. Am I the only pilot that wishes he could dash to the back of a ship to rebuild hwatcha devastated engines with my engineer and still have enough time to sprint back to the helm while frantic piano music plays? I hope not. (Reminder to make thread about frantic piano item) And I'm sure no captain wants to fly into battle underdressed!
As far as gunners utilizing the GWS, I've been in situations where a gunner has soloed my pyra's top gums successfully, albeit awkwardly. Imagine a speedier gunner dashing from fun to gun in order to relieve the gungineer while he assists in repairs.
And finally, the engineer. Yes, engineers would jump and scream at the idea of using this, but remember engineers are also a key spotter for crews. Without the spyglass they sacrifice visual markers for speed.
While I understand the arguments about why it shouldn't be a pilot item, I figure it would be just as essential to the crew as a spyglass, depending on how you play and the pilot slot fits best in my mind for the balancing of other items. Also I have no idea what it's taken to make this game and something as complicated as a rangefinder may be useful, but it seems like a difficult item to build and I like the simplicity of markers vs crew speed. It's clean, simple and something myself and my crew would utilize. Though the appeal of a rangefinder is indeed incredibly cool and I would use that too.