Funny how a number of peeps complain about the raised center. Most router plates I've measured and/or read about have a sunken/dished center (even though they're sold as 'flat'.) I can't speak for anyone else but I normally place my featherboards so they push down at the center of the plate, where the bit is. If the center is dished what are you supposed to do, just about everything you do will have a curve in it as the piece dips in and out of the depression. Silly...