Dobsonian crouch?

[Gas giant]

Hi all. Complete noob here. I want to buy my first telescope and have read maybe 500 links about it but there is one question I can't find answered.... The dobsonian seems the most recommended but it looks like you need to crouch down on the ground to see anything. Is this the case? Or do users carry a picnic table around?  Please help. Thanks!

 

[Waddensky]

No you don't have to crouch fortunately 😄. You can easily sit next to a large dob (here's a picture). Smaller dobs are called 'table tops' and can be put on a table while observing (another picture).

Good luck with your choice! Do you have a specific dobson in mind?

[Cornelius Varley]

Hello and welcome to SGL. Whether or not you need a small table or not will depend upon the size of the telescope. The bigger versions will comfortably free stand on the ground and the smaller types (SW Heritage100-150) will need a table or similar to bring the eyepiece up to eye level.

 

[banjaxed]

Another option is to use a water butt base, they are light and surprisingly stable.

[Gas giant]

Thanks guys for taking the time to write back. I was thinking of the skywatcher flex version (cheaper than the others - don't really want to go over £200 if possible). There is a picnic table in the garden but if I want to go somewhere dark I'll be putting it on the ground. 

[Dark Vader]

One of these with a camping chair should save your back a bit... 

Andy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lifetime-Personal-Table-20-Inch-Molded/dp/B0006D50RO/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?adgrpid=51889006063&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyJn5BRDrARIsADZ9ykEK2iodiAwKv0RLmPL-Hgrda95w9HVJ94eT9ZmvHdXJCkvGAk1ioa0aAlK3EALw_wcB&hvadid=259100082187&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1006567&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15359359948044215000&hvtargid=kwd-312754562070&hydadcr=15723_1735163&keywords=3ft+folding+table&qid=1596368684&sr=8-21

[Raph-in-the-sky]

I have bought a ironing chair like this one 

https://www.leifheit.be/product/details/multi-seat-niveau-chrom.html

It's pretty cheap, comfortable enought and can be adjusted  in height.