I am new to MBO (although a fairly experienced Orienteer and map reader generally).
What is considered to be the best map board readily available and where can this be bought from?
I have done a bit of searching but it was not conclusive and seemed to suggest that some MBOs make their own. As I am not particularly practical I would prefer to buy something. Thanks.

I've made my own with a piece of board, pump clip & bulldog clips. I don't rotate my map board so simple (a history of rally navigation where drivers don't like the distraction of map twirling in their peripheral vision). There are several on the market - try contacting Mark Stodgell as I believe he used to market a high spec version.He can be contacted via the internet.

Mine is made of 4 inch drain pipe fixed to the bars, with a clipboard fixed on top with zip ties. Thin elastic cord used to retain the map in it's poly bag. It's BIG, but very stable, and I do like to see lots of the map. And we did drill holes in the drain pipe to reduce the weight! Like Jackie, I don't rotate my map for MBO - it was considered a very amateur thing to do back in the day when I was car rallying! For running orienteering, I do orientate the map, but then I'm only looking at a small portion of the map, not the big picture you need for a score event. For MTBO, where you need to be making decisions faster and reading intricate detail, a rotating board may well be a help, but they are quite expensive.

Thank you both. Interesting that you both refer to rally navigation, which takes me back many years when I used to have a potty lamp on my knees reading the road on night car rallys on public roads trying not to feel sick! Not much H&S back then. So yes, I agree I was brought up reading a map north up and only orientate running, so I am not fussed about rotating.
Back to the map board, I guess I could knock something up if necessary, I have some clear Perspex sheet, bull dog clips and plenty of zip ties, but need a further think about fixing to the bars/stem as I would prefer to leave space for my computer and a light below the board. Your suggestions are noted.
But if I'm feeling flush and want to buy something like you can see in the various photos (if these rotate it is not something I would probably use as I said) where would I go... would this be the Mark Stodgell that Jackie mentions?

This is a link to Mark's page about map holders - part of his Stodge-Blog
http://www.stodgell.co.uk/?page_id=2067
The Miry is a well known brand, but I've not used one myself.
The polaris map clip is just a sort of plastic spring, you have to fold the map pretty small, but it is cheap and simple.

My very basic bike computer is fixed to the top corner of the map board, so doesn't need space on the bars.

If you come to any of the NYMBO events, they sell a basic map board for just £5 - attaches to bars or stem with plumbing pipe grips. Usually available at the summer events, or e-mail organiser Steve Willis if you want one at the winter events.

Get to an event early and have a good look around- you will see everything from cardboard and rubber bands to superbly engineered home made boards to expensive ready made ones. See what you like the look of.

At risk of completely de-railing this thread, we had a home made potti-lamp as well. Plastic flower pot, big lens, 12v lamp, a few screws and lots of tape!

That's great thanks Karen. A few options to follow up.
And great for a bit of car rallying nostalgia. My potty/potti lamp was a bought one, I still have it somewhere. I did say I wasn't very practical, which seeing as how I am an Engineer by profession is a bit poor really!

Bite the bullet and get a MIRY.....you get what you pay for ! You wont regret it.

Steve - yes as you may have gathered from the thread I would probably rather purchase anyway. I have enquired after an Orifix board - via Mark Stodgell and Nigel Benham - which I understand are equally good, but Mark doesn't have any and Nigel may not have now. I had heard of Miry as well and from a quick Google looks like I could get one from facewest.co.uk. Thanks for your advice.