I hate checklists ... for some reason they make me miss things!
Certainly for most light single's I reckon they are a clumsy way of doing things. When rushed it's only too easy to gloss over or skip a line. Better IMHO to get into a fixed routine for all and stick to it. Walk rounds are very routine and once you learn how to do it "properly", and you will spot more than you would with a checklist ( they never mention wing waggles or standing back and checking symetry for a start! ). In the cockpit you can use phnemonics or scan, whichever you prefer. I still use and just adapt the old glider CBSIFTCB and add a simple engine routine. In the air you shouldn't use a checklist anyway, as I'm sure all will agree. About the only time I do use checklists is when some grumpy FI (usually AFI as they tend to be more predantic) insists. I do usually have a flick through before I even get near the aeroplane in case there is anything strange on a particular type ... but it's better to get this info and speeds ect from the POH, so if it's available....
IM