I have used a 384 scanner (Bering r25 scope) for 3-4 yrs (can't remember when they became legal in PA) I bought a 640 (Rix Stride ST6) a few weeks ago. The better pic is nice, and I have less eye strain (only 1 good eye) BUT i don't think I was handicapped with the 384. I could ID out to several hundred yards by the movement of the critters 'most of the time'.
As far as needing a "crisp" target: I used to think that but now I do not. My Thermion allows me to zoom the PIP incrementally to what I want instead of 'X steps' as most scopes. I run PIP at 15x and shoot with it for everything except the "in your lap" shots. Just get to the center of where you want to hit in the image and shoot. I have always used the PIP to shoot with my Bering r35 and Super Hogster also.
