do you have any examples of the workaround suggested
It isn't up, yet, but I am working on a site using this technique. Currently, I just create image hotspots large enough to cover the fov and anchor them in the fov with flying="1.0".
If you want the ability to scan around a zoomed image, I would suggest using a high rez image and cropping it (see the docs) and displaying that cropped area large enough to cover the fov. Make the image hotspot flying="1.0" to lock it always in the center of your view. Then add code so that, for example, when you turn right the crop moves to the right showing more of the image to the right. Or....use a group of hotspot buttons to move left/right/up/down and perhaps zoom in/out, all by adjusting the crop. These can be anchored to an underlying pano image (flying="0.0") so that you can select them with the VR cursor or move them out of the way, depending on where you look. (The underlying "pano" image can be tiny and just a color. Nobody needs to see it.)
Simply put, it's not trivial but can be done.