A mount is the part most likely to fail in the field and the part buyers under-specify. This guide compares the mounting types by where they are used and what actually matters for a stable install, so you can specify the right one instead of the cheapest one.
Choose by surface, not by price
Roof: a fixed aluminium bracket with a documented clamp range and sealed fixings, salt-spray tested for coastal use. Vehicle and RV: a non-marking magnetic or suction base rated for road vibration and high wind load, no drilling. Wall and pole: a universal pipe adapter covering 40 to 114 mm, suited to permanent and backhaul sites. Matching the mount to the surface is the difference between an install that lasts and one that comes back.
Magnetic vs fixed
Magnetic mounts suit the Mini and light Standard use on metal roofs and vehicle bodies, and they are reversible. Fixed brackets suit permanent roofs and anything exposed to sustained wind. The trap is assuming a magnet holds a heavier kit at motorway speed — check the stated pull rating and the surface it is rated against, and prefer a documented test over a marketing number.
Vibration and marine rating
For RV, boat and vehicle use, vibration rating and non-marking bases matter more than raw strength. A mount that survives a laboratory pull test but cracks under road frequency is a return waiting to happen. Look for stated vibration testing and a salt-spray report on marine mounts, with the report model matching what ships.
Clamp range and revision coverage
Clamp range in millimetres decides whether the bracket holds the specific kit, and kit revisions change the interface without changing the name. State the clamp range and the revision coverage on everything customer-facing, and keep a maintained model record so the claim stays accurate as kits are revised.
What to avoid
Generic "fits all Starlink" claims, unrated magnets, and brackets whose clamp range is not published. A listing that names the magnet grade, the clamp range, the IP rating with a report and a warranty will outperform a cheaper generic — including on conversion, because the buyer reading specification is the buyer you want.
Specifying a mount range
Send the kits you support, the surfaces you expect, and the volumes. You get a feasibility check and pricing within one working day; catalogue mounts from 50 pieces, branded from 500, with tooling ownership documented in the purchase order.