It can be run as both a clip on and as a stand alone. I have it set up with the Wilcox QD dovetail weapon mount to run stand alone ( and an EO Tech set up on a QD mount to run in lieu of the Patrol for daytime. The EO Tech mounts nicely just in front of the Wilcox mount, which stays on the rifle.) I see no benefit to using the Patrol in conjunction with an EO Tech or any other 1x sight.
The 300W, which I have, will run helmet mounted as well, and I have done that. Great if you are stationary, on a bridge mount with a PVS 14 or solo, good mobile so long as the bridge allows the Patrol to be swung out of the way. I fell in love with dual PVS 14's first time I tried them, so I have been using the Patrol hand held, swinging one PVS 14 out of the way to do so. I'm using the IC/Mod Armory bridge and a Norotos RHNO II D mount ( the set up works with the Payrol if you do not wear glasses, if you do then the Patrol is too close.)
Those who have set the Patrol up as a clip on have said it is a bit of a pita. I think the user essentially achieves columation by focusing the Patrol and then aligning the Patrol to the day optic using the reticle, and once aligned turning off the reticle. I haven't tried it or even read the directions on how to set the Patrol up as a clip on. IR is supposed to have a how to video out shortly, and if I ever feel the need to put it in front of a day optic with magnification I will read up on it and watch the video.
The Patrol's native magnification is greater than 1x, and I think it is the same as the 19mm MKII, which is 1.45x. The view at native is fantastic, it is still excellent at 2x digital, or about 2.9x. At 4x digital, about 5.8x total, it is fine for placing a shot, but weak on ID. 8x digital is all but useless IMO.
Tyler from Ultimate Night Vision came up with a way to mount the Patrol so that the ocular is within a c--- hair of the ocular on a PVS 14, using an IC/Mod Armory arm for the PVS 14 on a Wlcox bridge and reversing the off side of the Wilcox bridge to move the Patrol further out. I want to try that set up.
Also, fwiw, the Wilcox weapon mount allows the Patrol to be mounted far enough back for proper eye relief if the rifles has BUIS's. On the other hand, the MKII cannot be mounted far enough rearward for proper eye relief on a rifle with BUIS's.
EDIT: after posting this it seems that a brief description of how the Patrol helmet or weapon mounts would be useful. On the top, or bottom, depending on use, the Patrol 300W has a dovetail. That dovetail allows the Patrol to mount to either an IC/Mod Armory or Wilcox dual PVS 14 bridge. The Wilcox weapon mount also accepts the dovetail. The Patrol's screen and controls automatically correct for orientation, so the menus and functions and the controls work the same whether the Patrol is hanging from a bridge or resting in a weapon mount.
As mentioned, I have the IC bridge and the Wilcox weapon mount. The Patrol can be mounted on either quickly and easily in the dark by feel, and dismounted from the bridge in a mere moment. Dismounting from the Wilcox weapon mount takes a little longer. Perhaps with more use that will become a smoother quicker operation, but it remains a little awkward and slow at the moment.
JPK