NDB's are great for seeing what the capacity of the pilot is
I do agree, in fact I'll be honest and say my lack of using NDB's with an ADF since the last renewal demonstrated a lack of knowledge on my part, and an ability to correct myself on the move. I got a good de-brief, and have spent some more time on the sim and now I feel much more confident. I want to be the best I can be as a pilot. Thats all good.
But, when I get back into my plane, with its unreliable ADF, I will use all other methods before even thinking the ADF/NDB combo and all of it's shortcomings.