Last Updated: March 2026
Most mounting brands sell you a fixed product: one base, one arm, one holder, all permanently assembled. If anything breaks, wears out, or no longer fits your needs, you buy a whole new mount. That approach works for simple consumer use, but it falls apart for businesses that need mounting solutions across vehicles, warehouses, restaurants, and field operations.
iBOLT built something fundamentally different: a modular mounting system with over 300 interchangeable parts that connect through standardized ball-and-socket joints. Every base works with every arm. Every arm works with every holder. You can build exactly the mount you need, swap components when requirements change, and never pay for a full replacement when only one piece needs updating.
This guide explains how the system works, what connects to what, and how to configure the right mount for your specific application.
How the Modular System Works
Every iBOLT mount is built from three core components:
- Base: The part that attaches to a surface. This could be a drill-down base, a suction cup, a clamp (for forklifts, poles, or desks), a seat rail mount, a wall plate, or a magnetic base.
- Arm: The connecting piece between the base and the holder. Arms come in various lengths and configurations, from short stubby connectors to longer articulating arms. The arm determines your reach and adjustability.
- Holder: The part that grips your device. iBOLT makes holders for tablets (7" to 13"), phones, barcode scanners, and other devices. Holders come in universal spring-loaded styles and device-specific cradles.
These three components connect through ball-and-socket joints. As long as the ball sizes match, any base connects to any arm, and any arm connects to any holder. That is the entire principle, and it unlocks hundreds of possible configurations from the same parts catalog.
Ball Size Chart: The Key to Compatibility
The ball size is the single most important spec in the iBOLT system. It determines which parts are directly compatible and what kind of load each joint can handle. Here is the complete breakdown:
| Ball Size | Industry Designation | Typical Use | Load Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17mm | A size | Small phones, lightweight accessories, GoPro-style cameras | Light duty |
| 20mm | - | Mid-size phones, Garmin GPS units | Light to medium duty |
| 22mm | - | Larger phones, small tablets, TomTom-style devices | Medium duty |
| 25mm (1 inch) | B size | Standard tablets, phones with heavy cases, most consumer and vehicle applications | Medium duty (most popular size) |
| 38mm (1.5 inch) | C size | Large tablets, industrial/warehouse use, forklift mounts, heavy-duty commercial | Heavy duty |
| 57mm (2.25 inch) | D size | Laptops, large displays, extremely heavy-duty industrial applications | Extra heavy duty |
The most common ball sizes for business applications are 25mm (B size) for standard commercial use and 38mm (C size) for industrial and warehouse environments. If you are outfitting forklifts, go with 38mm. For restaurant POS, fleet vehicles, or desk mounts, 25mm covers most needs.
Cross-Compatibility: Working with Other Systems
One of the most practical advantages of the iBOLT system is its compatibility with industry-standard mounting patterns. You are not locked into a single ecosystem. Here is what connects to what:
- RAM Mount compatibility: iBOLT's 25mm ball is the same dimension as RAM's B-size ball (1 inch), and the 38mm ball matches RAM's C-size (1.5 inch). In many cases, iBOLT arms and holders will work with RAM bases and vice versa. This means you can mix and match components if you already have RAM hardware installed.
- AMPS pattern: Many iBOLT bases and holders use the AMPS (Accessory Mounting Pattern Standard) four-hole pattern, which is the de facto standard for vehicle and fleet mounting. If your device or case has AMPS holes, it will bolt directly to an iBOLT AMPS-compatible holder.
- VESA 75/100: For larger displays and monitor mounting, iBOLT offers VESA-compatible adapter plates. VESA 75 (75mm x 75mm hole pattern) and VESA 100 (100mm x 100mm) are supported, so you can mount monitors, large tablets, and display panels using standard VESA hardware.
- GoPro mount pattern: The two-prong GoPro mounting interface is supported through iBOLT adapters, making it easy to integrate action cameras or GoPro-compatible accessories into your mounting setup.
- 1/4-20 thread: The standard camera tripod thread (1/4-20 UNC) is available on several iBOLT adapter pieces. This connects the iBOLT system to tripods, camera equipment, and any accessory using the universal camera mount thread.
This cross-compatibility is a significant cost advantage. If you have existing mounting hardware from another brand, iBOLT components can often integrate with what you already have rather than requiring a complete replacement.
Adapters: Connecting Different Ball Sizes
What happens when you have a 25mm base but need to connect a 17mm holder? Adapters bridge the gap. iBOLT makes adapters for the most common transitions:
- 25mm to Dual 17mm Adapter ($29.95): Converts a single 25mm ball connection into two 17mm ball outputs. Useful for mounting a phone and a small accessory (like a GoPro or GPS) from a single base.
- 22mm to 25mm Adapter ($13.95): Bridges 22mm components (common in some GPS and legacy device mounts) to the standard 25mm iBOLT system. This is particularly useful if you are migrating from an older mounting setup and want to reuse existing 22mm holders.
Adapters mean you never have to throw away working components just because they are a different ball size. A $14 to $30 adapter can save you from replacing $100+ worth of mounting hardware.
The Build Your Own Mount Tool
If configuring all these parts sounds complicated, iBOLT offers an online tool that simplifies the process. The Build Your Own Mount configurator walks you through three steps:
- Select your base type: Choose how the mount will attach (drill base, clamp, suction, wall plate, etc.) based on your surface.
- Select your arm: Choose the length and style of connecting arm based on how far the device needs to reach from the base.
- Select your holder: Choose the holder type based on your device size and whether you need locking security.
The configurator only shows compatible parts at each step, so you cannot accidentally select components that do not fit together. It is the fastest way to spec out a custom mount without memorizing the full parts catalog.
Cost Savings: Component Replacement vs. Full Mount Replacement
This is where the modular approach pays for itself over time, especially for businesses managing multiple mounts. Here are three common scenarios:
Scenario 1: Tablet upgrade. Your company switches from 8-inch tablets to 10-inch tablets across 20 vehicles. With a non-modular mount, you replace 20 complete mounts at $80 to $150 each ($1,600 to $3,000 total). With iBOLT, you replace only the tablet holders at $20 to $40 each ($400 to $800 total). The bases and arms stay installed.
Scenario 2: Worn ball joint. After two years of heavy use, the ball joint on a forklift mount starts to lose its grip. Replacing the entire mount costs $110+. Replacing just the arm component with a fresh ball joint costs $15 to $30.
Scenario 3: Repurposing hardware. You decommission a fleet vehicle and want to move the mount to a warehouse forklift. The 25mm vehicle base will not work on a forklift pillar, but the arm and tablet holder are perfectly fine. You buy only a new 38mm forklift clamp base and reuse the rest. One new component instead of an entirely new mount.
For businesses managing 10+ mounts, the modular approach typically saves 40% to 60% on mounting hardware costs over a three-year period compared to buying fixed, non-modular mounts.
Common Configurations by Industry
To give you a starting point, here are the most popular iBOLT configurations by use case:
- Fleet vehicles (sales, delivery, service): 25mm suction or drill base + medium arm + TabDock universal holder. Fits most tablets 7" to 10".
- Forklifts and warehouses: 38mm pillar clamp base + heavy-duty arm + LockPro locking holder. Add the XL barcode scanner holder on the same pillar for WMS operations.
- Restaurant POS: Drill base or wall plate + short arm + TabDock holder. For multi-tablet setups, the Tablet Tower system handles 3 to 4 devices on one mount.
- Construction and field work: 25mm or 38mm clamp base (for vehicle roll cages or equipment) + medium arm + rugged holder. Pair with a 1/4-20 adapter if you also need to mount a camera.
- Retail and kiosks: Drill base + short arm + LockPro locking holder. The locking mechanism prevents customer theft, and the drill base ensures permanent positioning.
Getting Started
If you are new to the iBOLT system, the simplest approach is to start with the Build Your Own Mount configurator on the iBOLT website. Select your mounting surface, your device, and your use case, and the tool will recommend the right combination of parts.
For businesses with complex or large-scale mounting needs (10+ units, mixed environments, or unusual surfaces), iBOLT's support team can help design a custom configuration. Since every component is part of the same modular system, they can spec out solutions that cover your entire operation without redundant hardware.
The bottom line: instead of buying a different mount for every device, every vehicle, and every surface, you buy into one system that covers all of them. And when anything changes, you swap one part instead of starting over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are iBOLT parts compatible with RAM Mount parts?
In many cases, yes. iBOLT's 25mm ball corresponds to RAM's B-size (1 inch) and the 38mm ball corresponds to RAM's C-size (1.5 inch). Arms and holders using matching ball sizes are generally cross-compatible between the two systems. This means you can often integrate iBOLT components into an existing RAM setup or vice versa.
How do I know which ball size I need?
For most phone and standard tablet mounts (vehicle, desk, POS), the 25mm (B size) ball is the right choice. For industrial and warehouse applications (forklifts, heavy equipment, large tablets), go with 38mm (C size). The smaller 17mm and 20mm sizes are typically for lightweight accessories like small phones and action cameras. If you are unsure, the Build Your Own Mount configurator on the iBOLT website will guide you to the right size based on your use case.
Can I use iBOLT mounts with a VESA monitor?
Yes. iBOLT offers adapter plates that support both VESA 75 (75mm x 75mm hole spacing) and VESA 100 (100mm x 100mm hole spacing) patterns. These adapters connect to the iBOLT ball-and-socket system, so you can mount VESA-compatible monitors and displays using the same modular bases and arms.
What is the AMPS mounting pattern?
AMPS (Accessory Mounting Pattern Standard) is a four-hole rectangular pattern used across the vehicle mounting industry. The holes are spaced at approximately 30mm x 38mm. Many iBOLT holders and adapter plates include AMPS holes, making them compatible with devices, cases, and cradles that use this standard pattern. It is the most common mounting interface in fleet and commercial applications.
How much can I save by replacing parts instead of whole mounts?
It depends on the scale of your operation. Individual component replacements (a new holder, a new arm, a new base) typically cost $15 to $40, compared to $75 to $160 for a complete mount. For a business managing 10 to 20 mounts, switching to modular component replacement instead of full-unit replacement typically saves 40% to 60% on mounting hardware costs over three years.
Does the Build Your Own Mount tool work for all iBOLT products?
The Build Your Own Mount configurator covers the core modular system components: bases, arms, and holders. Specialty products like the Tablet Tower system and pre-built forklift kits are available as complete units on the iBOLT website. However, even those specialty products use the same ball-and-socket system, so their components can be swapped and reconfigured just like anything else in the modular catalog.
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