I prefer a black ring, it allows me to stare a hole in the x-ring and prevents me from focusing on the float of my sight picture. Subconsiously your eyes willcenter everything up if you just stare at the X through the middle of the ring,kind of how you don't look at the road directly in front of your car..........you look 100+ yards down the road at where your going and subconsiously you keep it between the yellow lines. When I'm shooting my best I don't even notice how much I'm floating to be honest.

Most guys shooting pins successfully at the top level are shooting a VERY large diameter pin.........039 and better. Just cover up most of the yellow with it and let it rip. If I had to use a pin, I'd be using red. If your gonna play with the big boys though in open class, you might as well shoot a lens setup. I'd start with a lower power though.......4x with a black ring should be plenty and you shouldn't have to spend $$ on clarifiers and such either.