Stickse Z1 Active Suction Mount Launches on Kickstarter – Powered Vacuum, 15 kg Hold, 72-Hour Runtime

Camera Accessories

by Johnnie BehiriMay 26^th, 2026

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Stickse has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Z1 Active Suction Mount, a battery-powered vacuum platform that replaces the manual pump found on traditional car and glass mounts. The unit pulls up to 54 kPa of negative pressure, claims a 15 kg (33 lb) load rating, runs for up to 72 hours on a charge, and engages in roughly 10 seconds.

Suction cups have been a working part of the cinematography toolkit for decades, used for windshield rigs, exterior car body shots, drop shots through glass, and quick monitor or light placements on tile, metal, or polished surfaces. Most options still rely on hand pumps or lever systems, with the operator periodically checking the indicator ring for vacuum loss. The Stickse Z1 reframes that workflow with an electric pump that re-pressurizes the cup automatically, entering a category that Tilta opened up in 2024 with its Hydra Electronic Suction Cup line.

How the active suction system works

The Z1 uses an electric pump built into the housing to draw and maintain vacuum on a silicone-rimmed base. According to Stickse, a press of the single power button engages the seal within about 10 seconds, after which the pump cycles as needed to hold pressure at up to 54 kPa. That is the headline differentiator versus passive mounts, which can lose grip over the course of a long take if the seal slowly leaks. The base diameter is roughly 6 inches (150 mm), and the company lists glass, metal, marble, tile, mirror, polished desktops, and painted car bodywork among compatible surfaces.

Build, load rating and the small print

Stickse rates the Z1 for a maximum static load of 15 kg (33 lb), which on paper covers most mirrorless cinema cameras, a fluid head, and a modest accessory load. The campaign page is upfront that the rating is measured under ideal conditions, and that smoothness, cleanliness, temperature, and humidity all influence performance. The housing pairs an aluminum alloy upper section with a reinforced silicone seal at the base. Total weight is listed at 597 g (1.32 lb), and overall dimensions are 150 mm by 71.2 mm (5.91 in by 2.80 in). No safety tether or strap is mentioned in the campaign materials, which professionals will want to factor in for any exterior vehicle work.

Mounting interface and gear compatibility

The top plate is essentially a small cheese plate, with multiple 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threaded holes spaced across its surface. That gives users room to direct-mount a ball head, a Manfrotto-style magic arm, a phone clamp, a small monitor, or an LED panel without having to stack adapters. Stickse positions the Z1 for use with smartphones, action cameras, mirrorless and DSLR bodies, on-camera monitors, fluid heads, and even broadcast camcorders, although the heavier end of that list will sit closer to the rated load ceiling. The package includes the mount itself, a USB-C charging cable, and a printed instruction manual.

Battery, runtime and pass-through power

The internal battery is recharged over USB-C at 5V/2A, with a full charge taking around 4 hours and supporting up to 72 hours of continuous operation according to the manufacturer. There is a discrepancy in Stickse’s own published materials worth flagging: a graphic in the campaign refers to a 5200 mAh cell, while the official spec table lists 2000 mAh. Pass-through charging is supported, so the pump can keep running while connected to a USB power source, which is the more relevant feature for long static setups, time-lapses, livestreams, or interview B-roll where the mount needs to stay live indefinitely. For context, Tilta rates its Hydra Electronic Suction Cup at over 14 hours of continuous use on the same listed 2000 mAh capacity, so Stickse’s 72-hour figure on what appears to be an identical cell will need real-world verification.

Where it sits in the powered-mount market

Tilta is the established alternative in the electronic suction cup space, and its current pricing is the most relevant benchmark. The 4.5-inch Hydra Electronic Suction Cup runs from $70.55 for the bare cup to $103.50 with a multi-functional mounting bracket, and the closer-to-comparable 6-inch version is listed at $109. That makes the Stickse Z1’s $199 MSRP meaningfully higher than Tilta’s powered cups, with the $99 Kickstarter Launch Special undercutting only the most basic 4.5-inch Tilta SKU. Outside the powered category, traditional pump-based options remain in play, including the Kessler Lamprey, the SmallRig SC-15K, and the RigWheels Kraken. Stickse is also a new name in the camera support category without an established track record, and as with any Kickstarter project, backers are funding a campaign rather than buying a finished retail product.

Pricing and availability

The Stickse Z1 is available on Kickstarter at $99 (around €86) for the Launch Special, $129 (around €111) for the Kickstarter Special, $199 (around €172) for a two-pack, and $379 (around €326) for a four-pack, with stated MSRP at $199 per unit. Stickse’s stated production timeline targets order collection in July, production preparation in August, and global shipping starting in September 2026. More information is available on the Stickse Z1 Kickstarter page.

At the end of every crowdfunding-related article, we remind you to be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Also, please read the platform’s use and remember there can be significant delays when delivering the product. Some projects don’t get delivered at all.

Would an active electric suction mount earn a place in your kit, or do manual pump cups still cover your needs? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!