I think a downgrade patch to 1.82 is needed as I cannot play the popular mods without it, they just crash on launch making this version useless to me.

Same problem here.

I also ask that downgrade "patches" be made available for the purpose of mod-playing.

I think the mod devs should at least make a patch for compatibility of this version.1.83 is basically the GOG version which they made.

Most of the major modders are aware of the upcoming changes as I worked with them to decide what would be changed. Steam will move to 1.83 soon as well which will encourage updating the popular mods faster.

Awesome to hear, mate. hope it isnt too long

Are you enabling the mods in-game?

for me, yes but then I tried the other method of changing the txt and some mod still crash the game. I think those affected mods arent compatible with this version

Have you correctly and aptly applied the Large Address Awareness-patch to the 'Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion.exe', which is needed for and provided with many mods (and/or at least mentioned in the readme or install instructions of such)?

Yes I have and some of the mods just dont work.

after I selected the mod to enable and clicked apply

According to GOG, there will be no downgrade patch:

"Publisher provided us with 1.83 version of the game and we won't have access to 1.82 or any kind of downgrade patch."

As a modder of Star Wars: Interregnum, I can tell you we just got access to the 1.83 patch yesterday, and I'm currently working on updating the mod as I type this. Hopefully a lot of the major mods will have 1.83 compatible versions ready to go before Christmas. :-)

You don't enable the "bigger" mods via the in-game mod manager, but rather via the provided file EnabledMods.txt, which comes along with the download and goes into the same folder as the mod. If done correctly, the game should load up with the mod already activated, thus no need for activation through Sins' menues.

BUT: 1.83 is known to cause several severe problems, as CTDs and glitches, when running mods designed and programmed for the preceding 1.82. As GoaFan77 has already stated, his mod is one of the first to support the new patch. And I highly recommend playing it!