Personally I don't like having that many pins. You said you hunt in the midwest so would it be safe to say that most of your shots happen at prob 35 yards or less? I think thats prob where the majority of bow shots take place and for that reason I only shoot one pin. You mentioned shooting 3d and going out west and for that it would seem like the precision you could get from having more pins would be helpful, but in my opinion for the majority of whitetail hunting having that many pins is unnecessary. But like I said that's just my personal opinion, shoot whatever you are comfortable with.