RedTiger Dash Cam Mounting Guide: Suction Cup vs Adhesive vs Magnetic Mount
Published July 17, 2026 · By Julian
Why Your Dash Cam Mount Choice Matters More Than You Think
You spent $150 on a RedTiger F7N Elite, unboxed it, peeled off the protective film, and then froze. Where do you put this thing? Behind the rearview mirror? To the right of it? Suction cup or sticky pad? It sounds like a minor decision, but your mount choice determines whether your dash cam stays put during an August heatwave, whether it leaves a permanent mark on your windshield, and whether it captures the license plate of the car that just cut you off or points at the dashboard instead.
Over six months of testing RedTiger dash cams across three vehicles — a sedan, an SUV, and a pickup truck — I have tried every mounting method the F7N Elite, F7NP, ViewClear 70, and F9 ship with. Here is what actually works and what does not.
Type 1: The Stock Suction Cup Mount
Every RedTiger dash cam ships with a suction cup mount in the box. It is the default option for a reason: it works for most people in most situations. The current-generation RedTiger suction mount uses a twist-lock mechanism that creates a strong vacuum seal against the glass.
- Best for: Renters, leaseholders, and anyone who switches vehicles frequently. You can pop it off and reattach in seconds without leaving residue.
- Installation time: 30 seconds. Clean the glass with an alcohol wipe, press firmly, twist the locking ring, and you are done.
- Heat performance: Decent up to about 140°F. During a July afternoon in Phoenix, I had the F7N Elite suction mount fail twice — once after three hours of direct sun exposure. The suction cup softened and dropped the camera onto the dashboard. The fix was re-wetting the cup and pressing it onto cooler glass.
- Longevity: The rubber seal on suction cups degrades after 12-18 months. You will know it is failing when the camera starts sagging downward overnight.
One tip: if your suction cup keeps losing grip, dab a drop of water on the rubber seal before pressing it onto the windshield. It creates a better airtight seal and buys you another few months before replacement.
Type 2: The 3M Adhesive Tape Mount
RedTiger includes a static film + 3M adhesive pad in the box for permanent installation. This is the mount you want if you plan to keep the camera in one car for at least a year.
- Best for: Long-term owners who want the cleanest install. The adhesive mount keeps the camera closer to the glass (no wobble) and sits low enough to hide behind the rearview mirror.
- Installation time: 5 minutes, but you have to get it right the first time. 3M VHB adhesive bonds permanently within 30-60 minutes. If you misalign it, you are prying it off with dental floss and a heat gun.
- Heat performance: Excellent. I tested the adhesive mount in continuous 100°F+ conditions for a week straight. The F7N Elite never budged. The ViewClear 70, which is heavier, also stayed rock solid.
- Removal: Possible but difficult. Use a heat gun or hairdryer to soften the adhesive, then gently work a piece of dental floss behind the mount. WD-40 or Goo Gone helps remove leftover residue. Expect the process to take about 15 minutes.
The trick to an invisible install: mount the RedTiger dash cam behind the rearview mirror on the passenger side. From the driver seat, you should not see the camera at all — just the mirror. This keeps it out of your field of view and deters thieves.
Type 3: Third-Party Magnetic Mounts
RedTiger does not ship a magnetic mount in the box, but the aftermarket has stepped up. A magnetic mount replaces the stock mount base with a metal plate that sticks to your windshield and a magnetic plate that attaches to the camera. It is the best option for multi-vehicle households.
- Best for: People who share one dash cam between multiple cars. A magnetic mount takes about 2 seconds to swap — pull the camera off one car, stick it on the next.
- Cost: $10-20 on Amazon for a 3-pack of magnetic dash cam mounts. Make sure to get one rated for at least 1.5 pounds of pull force to handle a heavier camera like the ViewClear 70.
- Heat performance: Excellent — no suction cup rubber to soften, no adhesive to weaken. The magnets stay strong regardless of temperature.
- Drawback: The metal plate adds about 3-4mm of height, so the camera sits slightly lower on the windshield. Also, magnetic mounts can shift slightly during hard cornering or off-road driving, which tilts your video angle.
If you go magnetic, buy one with a 3M adhesive-backed metal plate (not suction cup). Stick the metal plate to the windshield using the same static film trick RedTiger uses — a clear static cling layer between the metal and the glass so you can remove it later without leaving a mark.
Mount Comparison Table
| Feature | Suction Cup | Adhesive 3M | Magnetic (3rd Party) |
|---|
| Ease of install | 30 seconds | 5 minutes (permanent) | 2 minutes |
| Swap between cars | Easy | Very difficult | Instant |
| Heat resistance | Moderate (fails ~140°F) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Wobble / vibration | Some wobble on bumps | None — rock solid | Minimal |
| Leaves residue | No | Yes (hard to remove) | No (with static film) |
| Best RedTiger model for this | F7NP (lightweight) | F7N Elite or ViewClear 70 | F9 (lightest camera) |
Mounting Position: Where to Put Your RedTiger Dash Cam
Regardless of which mount type you choose, placement matters just as much. Here are the rules I follow:
- Behind the rearview mirror: The ideal spot. It gives you the widest forward view without blocking your vision. The camera lens should sit just below the mirror body so it can see over the dashboard.
- Center of windshield: Second best option. Gives a perfectly centered view of the road, but the camera is more visible from outside and may be illegal in some states if it blocks more than 7 inches of windshield space.
- Passenger side A-pillar area: Only in extreme cases. The camera points at an angle and misses the center of the road, and the A-pillar itself blocks part of the left side of the frame.
- Too low (near dashboard): Do not do this. The camera picks up dashboard reflections in the windshield, and the hood takes up the bottom third of the frame. You lose critical road visibility.
Before you route any cables, hold the camera in place with your hand and take a test drive around the block. Check the footage afterward. Make sure the horizon is level, the sky is not blown out, and you can clearly see traffic signs and license plates at 50 feet. Adjust the angle, then commit to the mount.
Cable Routing: The Missing Step
A properly mounted RedTiger dash cam looks invisible from the outside and has no dangling power cable. Here is the quick version of the hardwire-avoidance route using the included 12V adapter:
- Run the cable up along the headliner (tuck it under the edge with a plastic trim tool).
- Down the passenger side A-pillar (tuck into the rubber weatherstripping — do not route in front of the side curtain airbag).
- Under the glovebox along the edge of the center console.
- Into the 12V port in the center console or cigarette lighter.
This takes about 15 minutes, requires no tools beyond a plastic trim pry tool ($5 on Amazon), and keeps your RedTiger dash cam powered 24/7 without a single visible wire. The F7N Elite kit even includes a pry tool and cable clips in the box.
Which Mount Should You Pick?
Here is my straight recommendation based on your situation:
- First-time buyer, one car, no plans to move it: Use the included adhesive mount. It looks the cleanest and holds best in all weather.
- Renting or leasing: Stick with the suction cup. Put a clear static film circle on the glass first, then attach the suction cup to the film. Zero residue when you move out.
- Two cars, one camera: Buy a $15 magnetic mount kit from Amazon. Install the metal plates in both cars, swap the camera in 2 seconds.
- Live in a hot climate (Arizona, Texas, Florida): Adhesive mount or magnetic mount. Suction cups will fail during summer, and you will find your camera on the floor mat more than once.
Whichever mount you choose, take the extra 15 minutes to route the cable properly. A dangling wire is the number one reason people stop using their dash cam after the first week. Do not let that be you.
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