For precision approaches with approach lighting it is obvious to use these lights (that might be what you meant in the OP). As for NPAs to runways without approach lighting it depends on whether the approach is runway aligned or not, the former being much easier in my opinion to judging vis as you are used to judging distance from that angle to the runway.
As you mentioned about the SI minima usually matching the distance you will be at the MDA on descent profile, this usually works great (however check out the VOR R17 at Canberra, you get to MAPt further from the runway than the min vis required for SI approach)
Try considering the length of the runway and how many 'runways' you can see.
A thorough approach brief with reference to the vis info from the ATIS/AWS/observations is a must so that you can more accurately prepare for what you will see at the minima.