I'll reserve judgement on #1 until I'm older then.  In fact, I'll reserve judgement on #2 as well on the same grounds!
 
Another beer please...

I'm not so sure about the order in which these things begin going south.  I know I didn't need glasses until I was in my mid 40's............

David,
 
I am still extremely happy with the Hotdotz LEDs, even without the discomfort of age affecting my eyesight (or anything else for that matter LOL).
 
Duncan

David-
Trust me. Even if you haven't entered the geezer era as I have (according to my kids), after you get the dotz, you will feel unfulfilled playing an unlighted neck. It is seductive!
 
Larry

I picked up a set for my first Excel. They work well. Im not too old but I love being able to see exactly where I am on the neck when light is gone and sweat is im me eyes! But take your time putting them on. It could get tricky.
Danno

Brother Danno,
 
tel us about that tricky part?
 
PTBO

If you don't keep the array straight and press as you go and slowly pull back the tape, you will get less than perfect adhesion to the neck. These imperfections will show up when the unit is lit. Also you need to line up the dots exactly or you will be off as you go down the neck.
Danno

Thanks brother,
 
I'll keep that in mind.
 
PTBO

I just thought I'd jump on the wagon here with an early Christmas present for my Spoiler, I ordered a set of Dotz last night.

I ordered my Dotz a week ago for my Epic and they were shipped today, I can't wait. It's my christmas persent to myself

well My HotDotz came in and they are on. what a great idea for less than $100

Mine also arrived today, possibly tonight, if they are as nice as I think, I'll order up for the Series I.
 David, did you get hi/low/off

Kenn, yes I got the hi/lo/ off switch, the only thing I can about the install is!!!!!!!!!
do a test fit and then do another test fit, my lites got off just alittle down by the body no big deal for me but once you peel off the pink tape and it sticks it's all over with but the keep on going, so follow the instructions and take your time!!!!!!!!!!  
 
David T

Interesting info everybody, I didn't know about these before. They'll truly be a future option on my non-Alembic instruments...
 
H.

One question:  
 
The Hotdotz look as if visible not only from the top (POV player) but also from the front (POV audience), due to the slightly raised nature of the leds - as compared to factory installed side-leds, which are not raised and thus less visible from the front view of the audience.
 
Here is the question:  
 
Will the hotdotz even be sufficiently visible for the player if installed on the opposite side of the fretboard, i.e. on the highest string side instead of the lowest string side? I would assume you'd have to slightly tilt the bass towards you, but somehow that's what happens when I play automatically.  
 
The reason for asking is, that I found when playing in higher registers (e.g. soloing) especially on a fretless bass side-led-markers are sometimes so far away from the higher strings that they don't always give a good impression on the correct position. I assume, that is also one reason why e.g. Mark King had Status install these awkwardly displaced front fretmakers on his signature King bass, which are not centered but closer to the higher string position.
 
Would the hotdotz be easy to read if on the opposite side of the neck? Would they even interfere with playability (they are raised after all, are they?)
 
I wonder what it would look like to have them on both sides of the neck...