• Understanding the 1/4"-20 Camera Mounting Standard
• 1/4"-20 Camera Mount Compatibility: Insta360, DJI & GoPro
• Why Plastic Mounts Fail
• Choosing the Right Base for Your 1/4"-20 Setup
• Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Camera Rig
• Build a More Reliable 1/4"-20 Camera Setup

Understanding the 1/4"-20 Camera Mounting Standard

If your 360° or action camera uses a 1/4"-20 thread for mounting, it can connect to one of the most widely used standards in camera mounting. The 1/4"-20 thread is considered the widely adopted standard for cameras. 

You can find it across cameras, tripods, ball mounts, and mounting accessories, so cameras such as the Insta360 and DJI Osmo 360 can move across different mounting systems without a completely different setup or multiple cameras.

What Does 1/4"-20 Mean?

The 1/4"-20 thread specification is simple. 1/4" refers to the thread diameter, while 20 means there are 20 threads per inch. Most standard cameras use this mounting system, so you can easily move them between mounting configurations without a separate setup for every camera.

Which Cameras Use a 1/4"-20 Thread?

Cameras, like the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360, have a direct 1/4"-20 thread mounting point integrated into their construction, whereas other cameras, such as the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, Insta360 Ace Pro 2, and GO Ultra, use clip-based, magnetic, or quick-release systems that adapt to a 1/4"-20 male bolt end. This allows these cameras to use the same mounting system as those with an integrated 1/4"-20 thread, provided they use the correct adapter.

AI tracking cameras can use this same mounting standard. For example, the Insta360 Link AI-powered webcam has a built-in 1/4-inch mounting point, while the Link 2 uses a magnetic mount with a 1/4-inch point for an external tripod. ARKON Mounts 1/4"-20 camera adapters and mounts can position compatible AI cameras for video calls, streaming, demonstrations, or fixed workspaces. The 1/4"-20 connection secures the camera; AI tracking is a feature of the camera itself. Always check the specific model’s mounting interface, weight, and clearance before selecting a base or adapter.

Why the Mounting Base Matters

When mounting a camera, the final consideration is what base you're mounting it to. The 1/4"-20 standard camera thread establishes compatibility between different cameras and mounts, but it doesn't determine how securely the camera will stay mounted and fixed in place. 

Dashboards, windshields, motorcycle handlebars, industrial settings, construction sites, trucks and cars are all environments where movement, accidental knocks, vibration, and repeated installing and uninstalling are common. This makes it critical that the choice of shaft, ball mount, pedestal, and other attachment point is just as important as the camera adapter.

This is where ARKON Mounts comes in. Their standard 1/4"-20 camera adapters, such as the 20mm Metal Ball to 1/4" -20 Camera Bolt Adapter, provide a secure, stable system for action cameras that can be easily positioned, repositioned, released, and installed. These industry-grade camera mounting solutions can be installed across many environments, from office desk setups to demanding industry and commercial applications.

1/4"-20 Camera Mount Compatibility: Insta360, DJI & GoPro

Most action and 360° cameras can easily be connected to any 1/4"-20 mounting setup. However, the connection method can differ between different camera models. 

Some cameras come integrated with the 1/4"-20 thread and can attach to any 1/4"-20 camera adapter, while others require adapters such as a magnetic quick-release, 2-prong, or other camera-specific type. 

The table below shows the connection method for a range of camera models and the ARKON Mounts configuration best suited to each one, for different applications.

Mount Base Typical Application

• AMPS Drill Base: Permanent/semi-permanent vehicle, wall-mounted, or equipment installation.
• Heavy-Duty Suction: Smooth, non-porous surfaces where a removable mount is preferred, such as windshields, dashboards, and mirrors.
• Clamp Mount: Rails, poles, bars, desks, handlebars and other accessible structures
• C-Clamp: Desks, workbenches and thicker edges

Why Plastic Mounts Fail

Action cameras need to be completely stable and secure when mounted. Camera mounting systems are constantly put under pressure from vibration, constant repositioning, installation and removal, knocks, and more. This is especially true in demanding environments, such as construction sites, heavy-industrial settings, off-road cars and motorbikes, and commercial vehicles. 

Plastic mounts and other light-material mounting adapters can wear over time, causing shake and instability in the footage you're trying to capture. Plastic ball ends can wear down, making them less stable when tightened into position, while flimsy plastic arms can ruin any required stabilization. This can be especially frustrating in professional environments when shake-free camera footage is crucial.

Industrial-Grade Mounting Systems

Opting for industrial-grade mounting systems and ball adapters, like the heavy-duty XMS series from ARKON Mounts, can combat this by providing a secure hold and improved stabilization across camera mounting systems. Matched with solid 1/4"-20 camera adapters, this supports reduced camera movement and vibration, delivering more professional and stable footage from your mounted action cameras

Dual-ball Mounting systems

Dual-ball systems offer excellent adjustment and positioning for your chosen action camera by allowing fine-tuned movements in your setup, so your camera is positioned precisely how you want it to capture that perfect shot. Dual-ball adapters, such as the 20mm Metal Ball to 25mm Ball Adapter, also integrate different ball end sizes, letting you connect 20mm ball ends to 25mm ball sockets for maximum flexibility and adaptability in action camera mounting systems.

ARKON Mounts' mounting systems, be it a drill-base pedestal for wall mounting, a C-clamp for desks, or a suction mount for aviation windshields, work seamlessly, giving you an edge in multiple environments and offering complete versatility for whatever the application.

Choosing the Right Base for Your 1/4"-20 Setup

ARKON Mounts has a range of different mounting options to match your specific environment, giving you the flexibility to choose the right solution for your application. Whether you're wall mounting your camera for security, or you're after capturing footage from your off-road motorbike, there is a 1/4"-20 camera mounting system that meets your requirements.

What Happens If You Want to Change Your Mount Type?

If you're switching from a semi-permanent setup, such as a windshield suction mount, to a more permanent mount, such as a 4-hole AMPS drill base, or from a straight shaft to a multi-angle arm, you just need to change the relevant component, not the entire mounting system. Thanks to ARKON Mounts modular ecosystem, you can simply swap in the new component with the same socket size; for example, a 25mm ball end into a 25mm ball socket, and you've updated your mounting setup without the expense of buying a whole new system.

Drill-Down / 4-Hole AMPS Bases

Designed for permanent mounting to a flat surface, the drill-base 4-hole AMPS mounting system features a standard four-hole design, often with a ball-end adapter to match a shaft or multi-angle arm. They're incredibly secure thanks to their fixed-mounting design. The 4-Hole AMPS to 25mm (1 inch) Rubber Ball Adapter features a rubber ball end for extra grip when the arm is tightened, creating a secure connection. 

For more demanding environments, the XMS 1" / 25mm Ball Mount with AMPS Adapter Plate from ARKON Mounts' heavy-duty XMS series features an all-metal construction for a more hard-wearing, industrial-grade mounting solution. Its all-metal build is robust, designed for longevity, keeping your action camera secure whether attached to a lab worktop or a busy factory worktop.

Clamp and Bar Mounts

Clamping systems, such as the Clamp Camera Mount and Handlebar Clamp Camera Mount, feature robust clamping that offers a non-permanent mount for attaching to office desks, motorbike handlebars, machinery, or other poles and bars.

Designed for easy installation and removal, they come in different attachment styles to suit the surface type. A C-clamp, for example, suits desk and worktop surfaces, while a ring-style clamp, such as the Motorcycle Handlebar Camera Mount, delivers a secure fit around tubular bars.

These clamping systems stabilize your action camera and support other applications, such as smartphone or tablet mounting, without the commitment of a permanent installation.

Heavy-Duty Suction Cup Mounts

Designed for windshields, dashboards, mirrors, and other smooth surfaces, heavy-duty suction cup mounts are another non-permanent mounting system for your action camera. They let you easily attach a camera to your windshield to capture driving footage and typically include an adjustable arm for positioning so it doesn't obstruct your line of sight while filming.

Other camera holders let you anchor your action camera to the dashboard or windshield for filming, while others feature a pair of suction plates for extra grip on your windshield. Its adjustable shafts allow precision placement of your camera. 

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Camera Rig

To set up your 360° or action camera, just follow these simple steps:

• Check the mount type: Verify whether your camera requires a quick-release, 2-prong connection, or magnetic plate 1/4"-20 adapter. Or whether screws directly onto a 1/4"-20 thread with no adapter required.
• Attach and tighten the camera: Thread the mount's tightening ring flush against the camera or adapter base. Tighten it firmly to prevent the camera from moving, but avoid overtightening.
• Adjust the dual ball joint: Position the dual ball joint to achieve your desired camera angle. For 360° shots, adjust the joint to minimize the mount's visibility when reframing footage.
• Lock the mount in place: Once you have the correct position, tighten the central wing nut firmly to lock the camera and mount securely.

Build a More Reliable 1/4"-20 Camera Setup

A camera setup is only as reliable as the base supporting it. While the 1/4"-20 thread offers a compatible connection between cameras, adapters, and mounting setups, the mounting base that it's attached to dictates how securely your camera stays in position.

Whether you're attaching an Insta360 to your truck or fixing a GoPro to a motorbike, the right mounting system can help keep movement at bay while minimizing vibration and unwanted camera shake. What's more, with a modular mounting system, you can easily swap out your base or arm without replacing your entire setup.

ARKON Mounts offers a range of 1/4"-20 camera mounting systems engineered for different applications, from the XMS series, designed for heavy-grade industrial use, to permanent AMPS drill bases and adjustable ball mounting systems.

Ready to build your camera setup? Explore the ARKON Mounts 1/4"-20 mount collection and discover camera mounting systems designed to give your action camera a solid foundation to capture steady footage across a wide spectrum of mounting environments.