Should I trade away a VX-3 to a conquest.

Yes, this might seem like buyers remorse at first glance but no this is not the case.  I just put a new VX3 on my mtn rifle, the 2.5-8x36.  I've had it on and been shooting for a couple months.  No complaints, it's a good combination, but I remember having a 3-9x40 Conquest that just kicked butt.  Now I'm thinking of trading the Leupold for a 2.5-8x32 Conquest(which I thought about buying in the first place).  I REALLY like the etched Z-plex and the black as coal appearance.  I was hunting one sunny day during our doe only season and the Leupold turned colors every time I was looking through the scope at almost any angle to the sun, which bugs the heck out of me.  What do you think?  It'll cost me about a $100 to switch.

I think the Conquest is a little heavier than the Leupy.  That might be a concern if you're worried about weight.   But as far as optics goes... you're right the Conquest kicks but.  I have a 2.5x8x32 Conquest on my X-Bolt and LOVE it.

Etched or not, a Conquest reticle will take on a metallic appearance too depending on the direction of a light source entering the scope.  Etched reticles are filled with a chrome material.  I have etched reticle scopes from Zeiss (both Victory and Conquest), Swarovski, S&B, Kahles, and IOR, and ALL of them will take on the silver/copper metallic appearance under certain lighting conditions, mainly light entering from behind the scope.

Magshooter you got a picture of your setup?

Depending on the type of rifle you have, the Leupold has a much smaller ocular that allows better clearance if working a bolt action for example. Something to consider.

I have both brands you are talking about and really, with the glass as close as these are, I'd stick with the Leupold. When it comes time to shoot that animal you will not notice what color the reticle is! I just got done with my elk hunt and could not tell you for sure if I was shooting from my shooting sticks or standing when I killed my bull! I know I started out shooting off the sticks, but found an empty brass 10 feet forward of the sticks, what color was the reticle???? It must have been there as it was a 250 yard shot running. During this hunt the weather was rain, snow or mixed and I was just glad to see the reticle. By the way I used a 4200 with Rainguard and it was probably more important than the color of the reticle. Leupold has a rain lens for your scope and I would buy it, plus the flip up cover!