Apollo fits into that slot for well under $6k, not sure what the "L3 LWTS" runs, but for me cost is always one of the factors, since none of this stuff seems to be free
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Apollo has "bore sight" adjustments which support use of scope reticle, also has internal reticle which is separately adjustable, so I can run it on two different rifles with two different zeros. A 3x magnifier is available so it can be used as 3x stand alone thermal scope. It can be used as 1x stand alone scope with the internal reticle. There are lots of palettes. The optional DVR can double as a battery back up. I change the batteries (c123) in the field at night quickly with no issues, no need to remove the device from the rifle. Depending on batteries used, you can get from 2 to 8 hours. With rechargable batteries I can get 2 hours on the thermal. Using the batteries in the dvr as back up I can get 4 hours. With non-rechargeable battteries I can get 4 hours on the thermal and 8 hours with the dvr in backup mode. Then changing 4 c123 in the field gets you 8 more hours.
I've used the Apollo on .22lr, 5.56 and .308WIN 6lb empty bolt gun and 9lb empty 7.62 "msr" rifles with no issues. I've used in 1 inch and 0.5 inch per hours rains with no issues.
The mount has an easy to change width adjustment and I can change it in the field at night if I need to move from one rifle to another. Somehow, many "mil spec" pic rails have different widths. With a 42mm lens, the Apollo fits in the middle in terms in lens.
I'm sure I'm missing half the features, but just describing the ones I've used.
I can see one hand warmer at 300yds on 3x to 9x the magnifications other than 1x I've used. The Apollo is very light and I use it from standing unsupported position inside 150yds. I score my results using NRA targets and the Apollo isn't doing quite as well as laser-mas ir-laser at standing unsupport inside 150yds drills, but it is in the ball game. I'm sure the gap is me, I doubt it is the device.
