Ossi,
The ATN 5X33L weighs in at just a hair less than 1.5 pounds (including the scope rings). The optics are clear and bright and comparable to my Elite 3200 but not in the same category as Leupold or Trijicon. In addition, the lens coating gives it a greenish tint that I was not use to and was a little annoying at first. I believe this coating, however, might help with low light conditions because the scope does quite well. The reticle is etched in glass and is also black when the illumination is turned off. I have not done any actual night shooting but I have taken it out on full and partial moon lit nights while using the lowest lit setting and I could easily make out what I was aiming at without washout. The scope has 10 settings that range from off, to very faint, to very bright. The reticle also has a range finding feature. Eye relief is a good 2.75 to 3 inches.
The BDC is fixed for .223 on the L and I don't know if you could take a cam from the LU and make it work. The BDC, after being zeroed at 100 yards, will move the whole reticle up or down depending on the setting. I have only used this scope on a 16 inch flat top but the BDC has worked quite well for social shooting. I zeroed it at 100 yards and have shot out to 250. Using the round Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C's which are about the size of a pie plate, I have been able to consistently hit the target while adjusting with the BDC and holding the same point of aim. Although my groupings are pathetic or could only be called that in the very generalist of terms (operator error mainly but maybe the 16 inch upper has something to do with it). I hope to get a V-Match 20 or 24 inch and see how well that does.
I think the ATN is one of the best deals out there for a rugged and feature packed scope and one that I won't cry about if it gets banged up a little. I picked mine up at a gun show for $189. I could have gotten the LU model for $224. The LU has the additional cams for 7MM REM MAG, .308, etc.. The reticle is also a little dimmer at it's lower settings but not by much. For the difference in price and what I needed the L was the better option.
I hope I was able to answer some of your questions. If you do a search, you should be able to find additional opinions. I think it was CMOS who originally talked about it on this board. His comments, and other members, are what guided me in choosing the ATN.
Miles
The prices you have are about the same, I think. I just don't know where to get the 1.25-4 or the 3x9x40 for the flat top, either way it does looks like it would work ever well.