• External antennas are often required for in-vehicle electronics.gyrophare image by Pascal Perinelle from Fotolia.com
  
  

Permanent Mount

• A permanent antenna on a car always looks better, will never blow off while driving and won't leave scratch marks on the vehicle's paint. They are perfect for applications requiring daily or constant use.
  
  

Magnetic Mount

• Magnetic antennas are perfect for situations where the device requiring the antenna is portable and will be moved from one vehicle to another. Magnet mounts are also great when the device will be used sparingly or sporadically. Installation of a permanently mounted antenna requires special knowledge and skills, and the hole drilled in the exterior may devalue the vehicle.
  
  

Bottom Line

• A permanent mount is permanent and perfectly acceptable in situations where the antenna will be used frequently. A magnetic-mount antenna is more often used when special contingencies exist making a permanently mounted antenna unacceptable.