Astronomical Observing Chairs / Seats

[H2IKXF]

I've been having a difficult time not so much in locating Astronomical Observing Chairs / Seats but rather in sorting out who's just a distributor of a distributor with the corresponding markup and the original developer/manufacturer. Or for that matter someone who's just seen the original and has come up with their own modified version of it complete with all the requisite disclaimers on use by you should you DIY your own version of their version of someone elses design.

Finally, there didn't seem to be a sticky post (hint hint to the admin's) where all these links are sorted in one spot by orig mfg, type and clever design variations on them that merit serious consideration. You know, so that a person doesn't have to wade through several dozen or more threads containing dozens of postings in each before attaining any sort of success in finding something they're willing to consider.

So, being a new guy here and wanting to pitch in and help out so that members (current and future) don't have to do so much work to find the info...

In as many cases as possible what I've done is to locate the webpage of the products original/current owner/developer/manufacturer rather than a distributor. In the abscence of being able to do so I posted what I could find within the genre. Anyone who has more precise information/links PLEASE private message me so that I can remove the distributors link I've given and instead put in the owner/developer/manufacturers webpage. Thanks.

Finally, if you know of a product that isn't here or is a knock-off of another design that makes it significantly better or different then PLEASE private message me so that I can add it to this listing. Thanks.

Cane - Seat - Umbrella

Many people use binoculars to do their astronomical observing. And many also like to use those binoculars for bird / nature watching. For the people within this crowd I bet it would be nice to have something you could steady yourself on traversing rough terrian, plonk your buttocks on when tired and in the case of one product... keep your head dry should it begin to sprinkle a bit.

Fayet

http://www.cannes-fayet.com/seat_canes.html

Haas-Jordan by Westcot

http://www.haas-jordan.com/UI/Speciality-Items-.aspx?ptype=3&mcid=111&pcid=111&ccid=111&pid=13

Linden Leisure

http://www.lindenleisure.co.uk/

Stools & Steps

Sometimes a person just doesn't wish to have something as bulky as what I like to euphemistically refer to as an 'observing platform'. For these a nice stool or simple step is more than adequate.

LYBAR Chair

http://www.stark-labs.com/craig/lybar/lybar.html

Tele Vue Optics

http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=115

Starmaster Chair

http://www.starmastertelescopes.com/chair.htm

Small - Medium Chairs & Observing Platforms

For those who desire something larger but not quite in the 'nose bleed' section of elevated seating there are these that I located.

Berlebach HYDRA observer's chair

http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=343&sprache=english

Budget Astronomer DIY 1/2 'Denver' 1/2 'Cat's Perch'

http://www.budgetastronomer.ca/index.php?page=observing-chair

'Denver Chair'

http://denverastro.tripod.com/seat.html

Suntracker Swivel Beach Chair

http://www.suntracker.com/

Tulsa Walk modded 'Denver' in aluminum struts

http://www.tulsawalk.com/projects/aluminumchair/index.html

Large Chairs & Observing Platforms

Yep, it's the 'nose bleed' section. And for some of these I'm shocked there's no government requirement for them to be sold with safety harness' or a parachute.

Astro Engineering Chair

http://www.astro-engineering.com/Aids/astronomyobservi.html#chair

Berlebach CHARON observer's chair

http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=344&sprache=english

Berlebach NIX observer's chair

http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=99&sprache=english

BuyAstroStuff's Astro Chair

http://www.buyastrostuff.com/store/metal_astro_chair_to_come.htm

Cat's Perch Chair

http://www.catseyecollimation.com/cperch1.html

Stardust Observing Chair

http://handsonoptics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_81&products_id=813

[pmlogg]

Berlebach in Germany, www.berlebach.de also make a small range of wooden astronomical chairs

Peter

[david o]

The "Astro Chair", from BuyAstroStuff in the States seems similar to the Stardust but has a totally variable, not stepped, seat adjustment.

They're comfy, sturdy and adjust from an 18" (45cm) to a 32" (81.5cm) seat height.

They'll ship to Europe, are friendly to deal with and reply to e-mails quickly.

These are little pricey (~$170 shipped to Spain), but still the cheapest "proper" astrochair I could find - apart from ironing stools or a DIY Denver chair.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I like the look of this one:

Starmaster Portable Telescopes - Observing Chairs

Being in a wheelchair (but can get out of it with little effort or bother) i am always looking for an idea seating method. The fact i now have a SW Heritage 130P Flextube Dob that is very low to the ground (even when fully extended), i find that the Stanley toolbox/step stool i bought in Lidl a couple of yrs ago works great. Considering it is made entirely of plastic (mold injected i think)................it can take a LOT of weight. It easily carries the weight of me (last time i checked i weighed 108 KG)

[H2IKXF]

Apparently it seems I am no longer capable of editing my original posting starting this thread.

So, here is an addition to it, assuming people are willing to scroll down and read it...

For bino viewers there's this small chair:

The EZ Gazer

Star Gazing Chair

[PeterW]

I found these in an outdoor magazine. I got one, very useful height. You can not extend the legs and get a lower 'monopod seat'. Packs up really small. Highly recommended and not too expensive either.

Walkstool - The stool that walks

Cheers

PEterW

[acey]

I got this years ago as a piano stool - apparently it's called a spindle drafting stool. Absolutely perfect for use with my 12" flextube dob. Height range is 18"-24" and the legs are quite thick so don't sink into normal ground. Didn't cost me very much. Been looking for another but have never managed to find one except from American suppliers that would charge high postage.

[russ]

I checked out the Berlebach seats but there's no way i could justify spending more on the chair than i do my scopes.

So opted for the cheap option or one of the cheap options. The Lidl's Ironing chair. Very cheap, easy to adjust height and quite comfy. Nice range of heights make it suitable for the SCT and dob. 3 years on and no complaints.

Russ

[H2IKXF]

I found these in an outdoor magazine. I got one, very useful height. You can not extend the legs and get a lower 'monopod seat'. Packs up really small. Highly recommended and not too expensive either.

Walkstool - The stool that walks

Cheers

PEterW

A very interesting stool. It's the first I've seen that has telescoping legs so that one may adjust the height one is seated at.

As I mentioned in my last posting to this thread I've started I can no longer edit the original posting to add this stool so whoever reads the OP will have to scroll down to your posting to see it. Quite unfortunate in my opinion.

[H2IKXF]

I got this years ago as a piano stool - apparently it's called a spindle drafting stool. Absolutely perfect for use with my 12" flextube dob. Height range is 18"-24" and the legs are quite thick so don't sink into normal ground. Didn't cost me very much. Been looking for another but have never managed to find one except from American suppliers that would charge high postage.

A very nice stool. I've actually seen them before used by women (men) who use looms to weave cloth.

It would be nice to know who and where the suppliers are for this stool. You didn't mention it in your posting.

As I mentioned in my last posting to this thread I've started I can no longer edit the original posting to add this stool so whoever reads the OP will have to scroll down to your posting to see it. Quite unfortunate in my opinion.

[Helen]

This is a very useful thread If you let me know what you want added then I will happily edit your original post (and will do so each time someone posts something new)

Helen

[ollypenrice]

Ikea used to do a draughtsman's stool - a bike seat on a tripod with a bike quick release for adjustment. Last time I tried it was deleted but someone might do them. My guests ALWAYS go for that one and never the sumptuous Gothic affair with bells and whistles which I painstakingly welded up for their greater comfort and delight. Ungrateful lot!!!!!

If you can weld you could cannibalize an old bike frame from a charity shop, I guess. I think I will knock up a few more this year like that.

Olly

[david o]

...the sumptuous Gothic affair with bells and whistles which I painstakingly welded up for their greater comfort and delight. Ungrateful lot!!!!!

Now that conjures up a mad image of a steampunk/H.G. Wellsian sired barbers-chair!

Please, please post some piccies of it.

Goan, ya know ya want to!

[H2IKXF]

Ikea used to do a draughtsman's stool - a bike seat on a tripod with a bike quick release for adjustment. Last time I tried it was deleted but someone might do them. My guests ALWAYS go for that one and never the sumptuous Gothic affair with bells and whistles which I painstakingly welded up for their greater comfort and delight. Ungrateful lot!!!!!

If you can weld you could cannibalize an old bike frame from a charity shop, I guess. I think I will knock up a few more this year like that.

Olly

Your suggestion definitely falls under the categories of being both unique and a knock-off. I would include it in the OP of this thread buuutttt... you've provided no link for people to follow so they can order your NON-Gothic, NON-bells-n-whistles, observing stool.

By-the-way, I agree, they were an ungrateful lot. I mean who wouldn't want to sit on a bicycle seat for at least 4 hours in the cold, dark damp night??? Are you sure you wouldn't sell more by marketing it to those desiring to end their reproductive ability? You know, a sort of poor man's vasectomy.

[H2IKXF]

Now that conjures up a mad image of a steampunk/H.G. Wellsian sired barbers-chair!

Please, please post some piccies of it.

Goan, ya know ya want to!

With or without Doug McClure sitting in it?

[Horus]

Who in the UK hold a supply of Observing Chairs ? Googled but can't find anyone

[derekm]

Who in the UK hold a supply of Observing Chairs ? Googled but can't find anyone

Keep an eye on the Lidl website. They have ironing chairs/perching stools on offer a couple of times a year. Mine was £15 a couple of years or so back.

See Russ's post of 17 Feb 2010 above for a photo.

[Gweedo]

I made my own the other day out of 12mm outdoor ply. I got B&Q to cut it for me, drilled the holes and used a broomstick for the hinges. All in cost about £35 and took me a cloudy day to make. I had a look on the net for some ideas and then pencilled out what I wanted and then went ahead with it. All it required was some minor sawing and sanding. I've made a footrest for it as well (it is more or less the same design as the seat). The seat is easily removed and the stand folds together for storage.