(2nd attempt with this thread as something funny happened to original)
Starting new thread to move topic of SI mounting stakes which was raised in thumb compass thread.

Quote from psmythirl on March 16, 2017, 01:58
I think that our system of positioning controls in this country is part of the problem with this. There is little doubt in my mind that it is more more akward to position the compass correctly for punching when the control is vertical rather than horizontal. Never mind that the intended positioning of the control boxes is horizontal. Every international event I have attended has had the controls positioned horizontally and SI themselves have started selling specially designed control stakes which also position the control horizontally. These are thin and lightweight fibreglass stakes that take a standard SI control baseplate. I hope to get Ajax to get some of these to try. While much more expensive than electric fencing posts I think they potentially have a lot of advantages.

Quote from Angus on March 16, 2017, 08:59
One issue I've found with the fibreglass stakes is they are not rigid and blow about in the wind making one handed punching difficult in windy conditions. Of course for organiser they are great as they're lightweight. AJAX already have lightweight stakes that hold the boxes horizontally so I don't see why you need more unless it's to replace broken/lost stakes.

Quote from psmythirl on March 16, 2017, 09:33
We have reasonably light stakes which hold the box horizontally but most clubs have their boxes mounted vertically which makes punching more awkward with the compass. Our stakes are still quite bulky and toting 10 or 12 of them around when putting out or collecting controls is still a bit of a pain. Your comments on the fibreglass stakes are interesting - were they SI stakes or some other brand? Does Setanta have some of these stakes? I'd be interested in having a look at them if so.

Paul see the course setting accessories list here
https://www.sportident.co.uk/equipment/catalogue/category.php?id=9

Setanta use the Alloy stakes. They're robust and hold the boxes horizontally but I wouldn't recommend them as they're heavy, cold and hard if you have a fall while carrying. (I left a nice blood trail in the region of Art's Cross). The one below is the glass fibre stake which has some flexibility in strong winds. Just my experience of them in UK competitions. Don't know if this is the same as the O-stand in your original link
https://www.sportident.com/wod

Agree with you that horizontal is better, but it doesn't mean I think clubs should upgrade. There's probably much better use of funds.
Interestingly, if I remember correctly, at last year's IOC long distance, vertical mounts were used and it seemed to me that the si box was deliberately placed facing away from incoming direction or placed so facing side of boulder so one couldn't see code before one had arrived to punch. Just an observation and perhaps coincidental, but defintely felt at the time it was deliberate.

And finally I was glad when CNOC turned their vertical mounts to hole side up!

The SportIdent fibreglass stakes cost about STG£17 each while you can get 50 plastic stakes for electric fences for about STG£110 or STG£2.20 each. Admittedly the fence stakes do require some modification.
Some years ago we had concerns that mounting SI units vertically made them more inclined to let in water but that hasn't been a problem recently - the issue may have been with the earlier BS7 SI boxes.