I've been running a ReapIR the last couple of months. I often use it as a scanner/scope as the 2.5X lens makes a great close to mid-range scope or monocular.
I also picked up a IR Patrol LE100 for a 1X scanner (I like the 1X up in woods/close range vs the ReapIR 2.5X). To me the ReapIR is the first thermal scope I've owned that functions equally as well in the scope or monocular role.
The IR patrol seems more like a 1.25X to 1.5X power to me vs the 1X mono's I have owned in the past.I am not a huge fan of flat 1X thermal mono's myself it always seems I'm needing more magnification while viewing more open areas. Personally, I have always found a 2X thermal mono to give be decent close range scanning and work much much better at longer range ranges for ID. That said the IR patrol seems perfect for scanning 5 yards to 500 yards I really like the patrol as a scanner.
Clarity wise my old Pulsar HD19/HD38 aren't in the same class as my Patrol or ReapIR. Heck in fact nothing I've owned even other 640 core systems are in the Patrols/ReapIR class. These two IRD systems just deliver a great image to your eye.
I've practiced going from neck lanyard to rifle mount with the ReapIR and can get it transferred in 5-10 seconds. It takes about 8 seconds to power up and be ready to shoot so I really don't lose anytime to get a shot off since going from mono to rifle the scope is already power up.
You can tell the ReapIR software has been improved since the IR patrol. The ReapIR saves user presents, has a less sensitive joy stick (better), and the joy stick lock I wish the Patrol had. That said I like the IR-Patrol in the monocular role it's awesome at that.
Sometimes I don't need or like to carry two,or three systems for a night out. That's when I just pack lite with ReapIR only and use it as a "do it all" system and it does that very well. I have tried this in the past with other scopes Thor,MK II and etc etc ,however they just didn't feel natural or easy in the field to change out/use as mono like the ReapIR does. I'm sure this is because the ReapIR/Patrol housing was designed as a Monocular first then adapted to a mini weapon sight so the DNA for mono use was there from the start.