wiggy - nothing like going direct to an intersect using the tail of the RMDI needles to figure out a direct course. RMDI triangulation = poor man's RNAV/LNAV. Going from RNAV capable a/c back to that in a military fighter, pre INS days, was a difficult regression.
The auto updating function of the VOR has nothing to do with helping keep track of your location from a pilot's perspective. It rarely uses the VOR's that you're overflying. Instead it uses whatever it likes, which is typically offset from your route of flight.