Gadget inventory

There are a few things in my gear stash that I can’t imagine a camp trip or even a road trip without. As Miata owners, you already know our cars came from factory pretty limited on practicality (especially after we modify them), but with these 5 things you will find that each item makes trips easier, more convenient, more practical, and gives you confidence before you leave the house and settle in at a new campsite/destination.

The first item being a proper phone holder for navigation. I personally hate keeping my phone on my lap when going to a new place and I’d rather have it where infotainment screens are typically placed (near eye level) on newer cars. This one is from a brand called Just Send It Designs, based in Europe. It’s their MagSafe MX5 vent ring. It’s not like typical vent phone holders, this one actually replaces the ring part of your vent rings and their design clicks on. This makes it way sturdier than typical vent ring phone holders by other companies.

Angle can be adjusted by an allen key

Keeping it right next to my gauge cluster makes it so I barely look over for navigation, while most will put it on one of the tombstone vent balls, I prefer if it’s basically right in front of me. Even closing the door won’t disrupt the location of my phone (iphone 16 pro max).

The next part I have found extremely useful during camp trips is a good set of fog lights. Before I had my GHO bumper, I was running OEM fog lights that worked exceptionally well. It’s a great choice because they bolt up directly to any NA Miata with existing hardware, no extra modifying.

You can find them used for around $300 USD in 2026

When I switched to a new bumper, I ended up not wanting to keep my original fog lights because my new fogs were now 4” and that was plenty of additional light compared to my OEM fogs that were around 2.5” wide. Fogs help in tremendous ways, my headlights shoot pretty far in front of my car, but fogs make it so I can see directly in front of my car. When getting to a campsite late at night you definitely want to see right in front of your car so you don’t hit any large rocks or stumps that you might overlook without fogs.

Cibie 40 fog lights

If you want to go a step above, you can find a bumper that holds 7” fog lights. JetStream is one of the leading companies offering that option. 7” lights are what Miatas come with as their standard headlights, so you’re basically doubling your light output by running 7” fogs.

Nose off the na22c kit by Jet Stream Via (@jetstream.co.jp) on Instagram

If you want to combine both of those options without replacing a bumper to do so, you can make custom fog light brackets and have them sit just outside your stock bumper, @rin.lin_97 achieves this look super well.

Via (@rin.lin_97) on Instagram appearing to run both 4” and 7” fogs

This next part is more so for lower cars, but a skid plate that covers your oil pan gives you full confidence that you can pull into most campsites without damaging your oil pan. There are a few companies out there, but I went with one from Pro Shop Noble because it’s thick and well made, while also leaving a hole for you to do your oil changes without removing it.

A really small part that people don’t think they may need is a light on your key and in your trunk. Because I typically keep my keys on me while camping, I figured it was best to put one on my key ring. This one is by Snow Peak and it’s called the Micro Hozuki - as part of their Hozuki lighting line. I also put one in my trunk near the latch so that when I open it, everything is well lit by the press of a button! For $15, this little light is well worth it.

The final part on my gadget list may only be useful for those with an aftermarket spoiler or weak trunk tension rods, but it’s this trunk lid prop rod by BD Performance, based out of a garage in Florida by a guy named Jacob. When I first saw him release these, I had to have one so I bought 2! Fully designed, manufactured and assembled by him, right here in the US. Since his first release, he has improved the original design and ver. 2 is much thicker and reliable. These have been sold all over eBay and replicated so please support the original creator and buy from BD Performance (@bd_performance_fl on Instagram)! To authenticate just look for the Bd logo stamped on the base.

So those are the 5 things I would really hate to go on a trip without. My current favorite being the phone holder. Look into some of these parts and see how they work for you!