I take readings at every step, but the more I brew I don't know that I really see it as a necessity - even for AG. We all know the values and benefit of taking readings, they are numerous. At the same time, it's just cooking and as with cooking as we gain experience we stop measuring our spices, stop cooking for 360 seconds on one side, flipping for another 360 seconds on the nose, etc but instead begin to do things via our educated senses. I doubt I'll stop taking hydro or refracto readings or stop logging nearly everything, but at the same time enjoy the thought of a more free-spirited brewing experience based on enough experience with the process, so who knows.