Here's what I know:
Should you get your ducts cleaned on occasion: Yes.
Does it matter as much to clean your vents if you forget to change out your air filer regularly or use a POS filter system: No
Having clean duct work isn't just for the air your breathe, it's for the air that goes through your HVAC system. Clean system leads to better efficiency, fewer breakdowns, and longer service life.
The problem with almost all duct work is it's inherently leaky. Even with today's "standards," most new home construction in North Dakota is awful when it comes to airflow and leaks. If you have leaky ductwork in a floor joist, guess what? It's sucking up all the dust and debris in there, or worse yet, dumping your warm/cool air where it doesn't belong.
We tout duct sealing along with duct cleaning. We use Aeroseal, which isn't necessarily "cheap" however it does come with a lifetime warranty and the results are phenomenal. Plus it's sealing from the inside out, so no tearing out sheetrock etc.
I could rattle on and no, but I do this crap for a living, and I come to Nodak to commiserate about hunting and fishing