There you have it...........a number of different opinions pro and con and that's what makes this site interesting wouldn't you say?
As fishermen/women, we all have our likes and dislikes and preferences and that IMO is a good thing, for it shows individuality. All being said about line-up dots, the feather in-lays I add to my custom rods are really met as dual purpose..........line up dots as well as a custom touch of art on someone's personal rod. With or w/o dots, I feel one should always use the guide line up method for true alignment, for I have also seen unaligned lineup dots on certain rods.