You guys are discounting the psychological value of a check raise. If you are at the table with the same opponents for a while, you have to check raise to keep them honest. Otherwise, every time you check in early position you are opening the door for them to steal on the bluff. You have to teach the other folks that a check from you does not always mean that you missed. You'll buy a few free turn cards in the long run.

Check raise is ideal at 6 max where opponents routinely overplay TPGK or 2 pair.

Never check raise, then check the turn, doesn't do anything for you but give opponent a free river.