Why it matters: ATC often issues sudden heading changes; you don't have time to pull out the whiz wheel.
Use the digital version for speed on the written exam at home. Use the mechanical version for all your training exercises. That is the combination that makes you better.
To improve, structure your exercises into these three primary domains:
Most pilots learn the E6B via a 20-minute lecture. The instructor shows you how to align the temperature over the pressure altitude to find density altitude. You nod. You feel smart. You put the E6B back in the bag.
: Use the "wind side" of the E6B to solve for unknown groundspeed. Practice with a variety of crosswind and tailwind components.