These are the devices that I might use to make wind calcs:
1. iPhone - E6B app & Ozrunways
2. iPad - E6B app, Ozrunways, Jepp app
3. Motion Cl900 - Jepp Flitedeck
4. Garmin 495
5. Garmin panel GPS in the aircraft.
Mainly I use the panel GPS and I'm constantly dismayed by the number of pilots that don't understand the full capacity of the panel GPS. I'd rather put teaching time into that rather than using a circular slide rule.
Like most IFR pilots, I flight plan nil wind because its usually has less error than the forecast wind. I'll study the forecast wind and understand it and be watching for the optimal cruise altitude, but the flight plan on the kneeboard will have nil wind. I know TAS from any number of GPS sources (iPhone / iPad, CL900, 495 / panel GPS). I know the drift allowance I'm flying. I'm not doing calcs. If I want to compare actual winds with forecast then I use the functions in one of the GPS devices designed to do that. It also gives me proper density altitude adjusted TAS.
A Jepp CR-2 costs $59. Johnny Appleseed list Garmin hand held GPS units from $115. Ebay lists 312 new GPS units for less than $59.
The aviation flight computers are not very accurate either. They are printed plastic. If you can find a proper slide rule you'll find that it has machine engraved lines that are then paint filled. In fact it will almost certainly say "Machine Divided". This is what you need for an engineering grade device.
When I did my CPL my instructor demanded that diversions & in flight ded reckoning be done in my head. If the sh1t hits that fan you need the situational awareness to get where you are going without diverting your attention from flying to read a slide rule.
30 years ago our schools & universities were able to remain contemporary as calculators replaced log tables and slide rules. Why can't aviation?
A Garmin 196 is not much more than $500 (and they are readily available secondhand). A new Garmin Aera 500 is not much more than $700. I reckon that comparatively this is a lot less than my first HP45 calculator. Its a tax deductible expense for professional pilots and anyone claiming flying for business. I struggle to see why a professional pilot wouldn't consider it as an essential tool of trade along with a noise cancelling headset and GPS PLB. Apart from navigation, its synthetic panel is a good back-up against air pressure driven instrument failures too.