Berlebach Observing Chairs

[Another Drizzle Dweller]

Hi there,

I am keen on getting a proper observing chair (the old ironing board chair is beyond repair) and after having a Uni 28 tripod for the last year I am happy to purchase a Berlebach chair. As usual though, Berlebach spoils us with choices. Generally with Berlebach, you get what you pay for but I am not sure what the advantages are with their offerings:

 

The Charon model has 12 settings from 10 to 93 cm while the Hydra / NIX are fully adjustable from 25 to 75 cm. Is it a case of more settings in a smaller more usable range?

 

While we all hope we have small butts, is the bigger seat size 25 by 21 versus 32 by 28 cm a consideration after a few hours observing?

 

I like to use the binos occasionally, do all the chairs provide good back support when at the lowest positions?

 

For reference I have a AZ100 on a Uni 28 tripod and use either a C9.25 or an Orion Optics SPX200 F4.5 scope.

Regards\

Donal

[johninderby]

The Geoptik Nadira chair is of similar quality to the Berlebach so is also worth considering.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/geoptik-nadira-astronomy-observing-chair.html

[Deadlake]

On 09/11/2021 at 11:34, johninderby said:

The Geoptik Nadira chair is of similar quality to the Berlebach so is also worth considering.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/geoptik-nadira-astronomy-observing-chair.html

Also available, what padding do you use when sitting on it?

 

[johninderby]

I upholstered the seat with leather. easy to do and very comfy. 🙂

[Another Drizzle Dweller]

Thanks for the information folks

[Carl Au]

On 11/11/2021 at 18:21, johninderby said:

I upholstered the seat with leather. easy to do and very comfy. 🙂

Is it stable? I need something for use with a refractor 

[Space Hopper]

This is what i use : a 'Meychair' musicians stool. Quite a bit cheaper than the BB chair (or it was)

Its very sturdy goes up / down with a 250mm range and will tilt side to side.

FLO at one time used to stock them, but no more. But its still possible to buy direct from Deutschland.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/mey_chair_systems_af6_kl_bk.htm

 

[Carl Au]

I am really nervous of buying something not purposely built for the job. I broke 4 ribs falling off and then back on an ironing board chair that was supposed to be stable. That’s when I sold my last dob

[Mike JW]

For awhile I used the classic observing chair (beautifully made out of oak) similar to the wooden one as shown earlier in the thread and also used a metal one. Both Ok but sold them in favour of a three legged stool with circular seat that could be adjusted in height as it was on a circular screw thread. Very comfortable, easily adjustable by spinning the seat and I use it all the time. Years old and it will see me out. See picture below, taken off the internet but very similar to my stall.

Mike

[Carl Au]

Looks great 👍 

[PeterStudz]

Yes, I recently got one of those for £10 via Gumtree. As has been pointed out to me on here already it’s originally an Ikea product which is sadly no longer made. Although being  Ikea there must be quite a lot hanging about in people homes. Worth looking secondhand.

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by PeterStudz

[Carl Au]

And so I bought one, not cheap, but very, very good.