Certified medical laboratory scientist here: reckon we still do this because it’s fast, free, requires no technology, and can give you some decent insight into what’s going on. Of course, you’re going to want chemistry and microscopy to confirm anything, but color can certainly steer you towards a pathology. Even the fancy analyzers with automated dipstick chemistry and computerized microscopy report color and clarity.

Also if your pee is any darker than straw colored, drink some water. I’ve seen so much nasty piss come through the lab. Apparently a ton of people aren’t drinking enough water.