Everything You Need to Know About the AMPS Mounting System

Highly recognized as one of the most popular mounting systems, the AMPS mount pattern has been specifically designed as a secure system for hundreds, possibly thousands, of commercial, industrial, and home-use applications.

These could be attaching secure tablet holders to forklift frames, an electronic logging device (ELD) holder in a truck fleet, or simply securing your phone in your car so you can listen to your favorite tunes or navigate across states.

• What is an AMPS Mount?
• AMPS Mount Basics
• AMPS Mount Benefits
• 4-Hole vs 2-Hole AMPS Mount Pattern
• AMPS Mount Adapter Types
• AMPS Mounts & Systems
• Five Favorite AMPS Mounts

What is an AMPS Mount?

The AMPS mount pattern is a series of 4- or 2-hole plates that the industry recognizes, allowing many manufacturers and designers like ARKON Mounts to create products that interlink and fit together using the specific AMPS hole pattern phone mount.

The hole positions make this extremely secure when mounted and have been used by manufacturers for several years.

AMPS Mount Basics

The AMPS (Attachment Mounting Pattern Standard) comes in a 4- or 2-hole design. The AMPS mount dimensions are standardized, featuring four holes arranged in a rectangular layout, spaced 38mm by 30mm apart and 48.41mm diagonally.

Many device manufacturers adopt this design, so if your GPS unit or similar device has a mounting base, it's very likely compatible with the AMPS GPS mount system.

AMPS Mounting Pattern Design Benefits

The AMPS mount system is designed with many benefits, making it easy to integrate when designing or manufacturing an application.

• Universal Compatibility: The AMPS mount pattern is recognized worldwide, making it highly compatible with thousands of devices, from GPS systems and tablet holders to cellphone mounts and AMPS phone mounts.
• Secure and Stable Mounting: With its 4-hole or 2-hole screw configuration, the AMPS mounting plates and brackets provide a firm, vibration-resistant hold for devices in vehicles, industrial settings such as factories and distribution centers, or at home, like mounting a security camera on your porch.
• Flexible Mounting Options: Designed for both horizontal and vertical installation, the AMPS mount system can be easily adapted to different surfaces and applications. You could mount a security camera on the ceiling, a tablet POS or digital menu on a restaurant wall, or an AMPS handlebar mount on a motorcycle or bicycle.
• Industry-Standard Design: Trusted by leading manufacturers like ARKON Mounts, the AMPS mount pattern ensures consistent fit and long-term reliability across multiple mounting solutions.
• Easy Integration and Customization: Whether used on dashboards, forklifts, or factory walls, the AMPS mount system allows users to mix and match components, such as swapping out a tablet holder for a phone holder, creating tailored mounting setups that suit any environment.
• Different Materials: AMPS pattern plates can be manufactured from different materials for different purposes. Reinforced composite is strong and lightweight, suitable for home and lighter mounts such as phone and Garmin AMPS mounts. Black powder-coated steel is more suited for industrial use, such as wall and ceiling mounting or demanding environments like forklifts in factories or construction sites, where debris and dust are often present.
• Four or Two Hole Options: Available in two options: AMPS 4-hole and 2-hole patterns, with the latter allowing the same strength fixing in irregular and awkward spaces.
• 4-Hole Fits Many Holder and Application Types: From the LockVise™ Tablet Holders to the popular Motorcycle AMPS handlebar mounts, the AMPS Head for Satellite Radios integrates easily due to its industry-standard placement.

4-Hole vs 2-Hole AMPS Mount Pattern

AMPS plates come in two variations: the 4-hole AMPS mount pattern and the 2-hole AMPS mount pattern. Both are secure when attached to a flat surface, but what are the pros and cons of each type?

4-Hole AMPS Pattern

• Pros: It has more points of contact, is generally more secure, and is better suited for wall, ceiling, and industrial applications. For example, the ARKON Mounts LockVise™ Metal Locking Tablet Mount with Drill Base Mount is perfect for mounting and securing a tablet on a forklift or factory wall.
• Cons: If you have a tight or awkwardly sized mounting space, the 4-hole AMPS mount may struggle to fit.

2-Hole AMPS Pattern

• Pros: The design allows it to fit easily into tight or irregular spaces while maintaining a secure and stable hold, like the ARKON Mounts Robust Ratchet Extension Arm with Metal AMPS ball mount and Diamond Mount Plates. This fits easily into smaller spaces and offers multiple positioning options.
• Cons: Although still strong, the 2-hole AMPS diamond mounts do not have the same hold as the 4-hole AMPS pattern, which may be better for heavier arms and holders.

AMPS Mount Adapter Types

The AMPS mount ends are fully customizable to suit your preferences and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To attach them to an arm, pole, or tablet holder, an additional adapter, usually a ball end, is required. 

Sometimes these are add-ons, and sometimes they are built into the plate, such as the ARKON Mounts Metal 4-Hole AMPS ball mount to 38mm (1.5") Ball Adapter, which attaches to any ARKON Mounts or third-party arm, such as the ARKON Mounts Robust™ Series 8.5" Metal Mount Shaft or the smaller Robust™ Series 3.5" Composite Mount Shaft.

You can also attach a Magnetic Phone Holder with a 17mm Tightening Ring - Magsafecompatible with an AMPS patterned base plate with a 17mm ball end, such as the 4-Hole AMPS mount with a 17mm Ball, to create a custom MagSafe phone holder with an AMPS base.

Ball ends come in various sizes, such as 17mm, 20mm, and 25mm, matching different shafts, arms, and holder mounts. They are available in reinforced composite for lighter applications or metal for more industrial uses, and rubber-coated ball ends provide extra grip when tightening the shaft into place.

Other 4-hole adapters are also available, such as the ARKON Mounts 22mm Ball Socket to 4-Hole AMPS adaptor, which is perfect for attaching any tablet or phone holder with the AMPS pattern. For holders with a Dual-T pattern, the ARKON Mounts Horizontal Female Dual T-Slot to 4-Hole AMPS Adapter converts your Dual-T adapter to a 4-hole AMPS mount.

AMPS Mounts & Systems

Commercial Mounts

The ARKON Mounts LockVise™ Metal Locking Tablet Mount with Drill Base Mount is ideal for portable electronic logging devices (ELD) to comply with the ELD E-Log mandate for commercial fleet vehicles. It features a locking metal tablet holder and an AMPS mount for secure dashboard attachment.

The Slim-Grip® Tablet Holder with Drill-Base Mount and 8" Multi-Angle Arm attaches to your semi's dash for GPS, entertainment, logistics, and more. The multi-angle arm and secure tablet holder let you position your device exactly how you like, while the AMPS GPS mount pattern ensures it stays securely fixed.

The ARKON Mounts LockVise™ POS Drill-Base Locking Tablet Mount features a circular drill base with a 4-hole AMPS hole pattern, ideal for attaching tablets to restaurant or coffee shop countertops. It can also be wall-mounted for customer ordering systems or digital menus.

Industrial Mounting Systems

The AMPS drill base pattern is widely used in industrial applications due to its durable construction and industry-standard design. The 10.25" Metal Robust Forklift Front Guard AMPS mount fits forklift front pillars and features an AMPS mount pattern to attach tablet or phone holders.

The Suction Cup Base – AMPS mount compatible features a 4-hole AMPS mount for attaching any 4-hole AMPS phone mount. Suction cups work on windshields in cars, trucks, and aircraft, like the ARKON Mounts Skyhold aviation mount series.

Personal and Home Mounts

4-hole AMPS mounts aren't just for commercial and industrial use, they're great for personal applications. For example, the Robust Clamp Mount with Security Knob clamps a phone or tablet holder to bike handlebars, using an AMPS handlebar mount.

For vehicles, the RoadVise® Phone Holder with Drill Base secures your smartphone to your dash or console as an AMPS phone mount.

GoPro AMPS mounts, such as the Heavy-Duty Wall Mount with Multi-Angle Arm, secure GoPro HERO cameras to walls or vehicles for professional footage.

Marine applications include the Universal Marine Electronic Fishfinder Mount, featuring a heavy-duty mounting plate for securing Humminbird or kayak fishfinders, batteries, CB and Ham radios, or audio receivers.

Five Favorite AMPS Mounts

The Content Creator's Companion

A content creator and live streamer's dream. The TW Broadcaster Dual Slim-Grip® Tablet and RoadVise® Phone Countertop Holder gives you a professional mounting tool for hobbyists, creators, and filmmakers. 

It allows dual live streaming using both a phone and a tablet, thanks to a pair of device holders that are securely attached by 4-hole AMPS pattern adapters, keeping the footage steady and stable. 

Designed for desks, podiums, counters, tables, or flat surfaces. It allows you to film with your phone and control the settings or manage social media tasks with the tablet, making this an ideal companion for vloggers, bloggers, content creators, live streamers, videographers, and more. 

The Food App Friend

For those wanting a little extra security in their car or truck, or if you're a food delivery driver, the LockVise™ Locking Phone Mount is your perfect partner. Firstly, it comes with a locking phone holder that keeps your smartphone secure, especially in high-theft areas or when you're delivering take-out.

The shaft is adjustable, allowing you to keep your device in your sights safely while driving. It also features an AMPS drill base for screwing directly to your car or truck's dash, console, or center console. Giving you peace of mind that you're phone will stay safe and secure, even when you're leaving it in your vehicle.

The POS Partner

For those who need a low-profile and secure tablet holder for their restaurant, take-out, or retail store, check out the Slim-Grip® Ultra Pro POS Mount. It’s the ideal solution. 

Whether you use an iPad, Galaxy Tab, or other preferred tablet, the POS Tablet Holder features interchangeable support legs to fit a wide range of tablets. Its 3" arm is robust and can move 360°, so you can tailor it to your business.

The AMPS drill base mount offers a permanent solution for attaching your POS Tablet Mount to a countertop, table, or desk. This 4-hole AMPS drill base is a secure addition, making it ideal for high-traffic businesses, such as high-traffic restaurants, bustling fast-food joints, and popular retail stores.

The All-Rounder

The Heavy-Duty Multi-Angle 4-Hole AMPS Clamp Mount with 8" Arm is a great all-around mounting solution thanks to its strong C-Clamp, multi-angle arm, and AMPS pattern adapter head. The AMPS head allows you to mount any tablet holder, phone holder, Satellite radio, GPS, camera, and anything else with an AMPS-patterned back.

It's ideal for use as EPOS systems on countertops, secondary devices for managing your social media and content, or tablets on office desks. Additionally, it's suitable for use in workshops, recording studios, or any workspace where easy tablet access is necessary.

The Heavy-Duty Helper

The XMS 11.25" Aluminum AMPS Drill-Base Mounting Pedestal from the XMS Xtreme Mounts series provides a heavy-duty, AMPS-to-AMPS mounting solution built from industrial-grade aluminium. It's designed for heavy-duty use and is engineered to hold up to 900% more weight than standard mounts.

It’s ideal for tablets, ELD systems, and EPOS setups in demanding and busy environments like factories, warehouses, and construction sites. With a durable 8.5" metal shaft and 38mm ball end AMPS ends, it gives you industrial-grade strength throughout, giving you complete confidence in the day-to-day running of your business.