Yes, I used a FX-II 2.5x28 IER scope this year on one hunt which has the same level of glass as the Vari-X II IIRC. Thirty minutes prior to sunrise, I was hunting a clearing and was unable to make a shot on the largest boar I have ever seen. I could resolve the black boar rooting against the dark earth background with my 8x43 binoculars, but not with the FX-II. This, despite the FX-II having over twice the exit pupil @11.2mm. Glass matters.