(journeyman)

06/30/09 12:58 PM

Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

i've seen several "reclining lawn chair" type chairs at REI, Cabela's, etc. that look like they would probably work. never having used one, however, i'm curious if anyone has found that a particular model works well and/or better than the competition.

current plan is to pair this with the binoculars on a P mount.

thanks!

(scholastic sledgehammer)

06/30/09 07:29 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

Deja vu. There have been several shown and discussed here , and elsewhere on the internet. Perhaps a search will locate them. A maximum number of degrees of freedom in the p-mount motions is helpful when reclined, particularly with a straight view binocular.

For what you propose, the main problem is conflict between the tripod legs and the lawn chair. Use of a post, instead of a tripod, helps. To avoid leaving the reclining chair, two or three showed the chair and observer supported by a turntable, a less portable setup.

(Postmaster)

06/30/09 07:32 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

consider the LaFumas, or their clones
I have one of the lafumas, plus a clone from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
the oversized clone is better for meteor watching, hand held binoculars

edj

AlienFirstClass

(professor emeritus)

07/01/09 12:00 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

Any special chairs that are comfortable and waterproof?

I find that chairs I use are many times soaking wet with dew by the time the observing is over.

(sage)

07/01/09 05:56 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

Mesh can diminish dew on the fabric of the chair.

I see that La Fuma has four types of Batyline mesh. The mesh would not soak up much moisture.

From the ad "Batyline® mesh is a French made material used in the Flexy and Fusion Light collections. Batyline® is an extremely durable and high quality material consisting of a polyester fiber covered by a coating of PVC, making it nearly impossible to tear. It is 100% synthetic and resistant to rot and mildew."
Lafuma recliner link

Suntracker swivel chair also uses mesh.
Suntracker has Blue and Light Green Vinyl Mesh.
Suntracker swivel chair link

Has anyone used mesh and can tell us how it works?

I have the Suntracker chair wtih the "blue Marine polyester fabric". I have not had trouble with dew. However, if you are heavy like I am, the chair does not deal with plopping down without control. The Suntracker people did send me a couple of clips that made the chair like new. The chair is very low, about ten inches off the ground. It is an effort for an older person to get up from a low seat. The chair does recline and swivel very nicely! The arms of the chair are useful as a base with lifters, to support the arms holding the binoculars.

Rob.

(Professor EdZ)

07/01/09 06:08 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

As mentioned above, maximum degrees of motion are required for seated viewing. Straight on parallelograms are not suitable for seated viewing.

any type of reclining lawn chair will do.

With this set up, I've never had a problem with tripod legs in the way.
http://www.cloudynights.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2843&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

edz

(journeyman)

07/01/09 08:31 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

thanks for the helpful suggestions!

i'll take a close look at the LaFuma and Suntracker options.

my viewing is restricted by trees so i'm trying for a setup that allows approaching the zenith without neck strain.

(member)

07/01/09 09:30 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

Rob,

I've had my eye out for an outdoor chair that swivels AND reclines (to adapt for binocular astronomy), but can never find that combination. The Suntracker chairs don't look like they have the ability to recline very far back. What range of reclining motion does yours have? Or, in other words, what angle above the horizon can you see at maximum recline, without craning your neck?

AlienFirstClass

(professor emeritus)

07/02/09 11:25 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

Quote:

Rob,

I've had my eye out for an outdoor chair that swivels AND reclines (to adapt for binocular astronomy), but can never find that combination. The Suntracker chairs don't look like they have the ability to recline very far back. What range of reclining motion does yours have? Or, in other words, what angle above the horizon can you see at maximum recline, without craning your neck?

I too have been looking for the same that swivel AND recline combination...no luck either.

If anyone has any suggestions, we are listening.

(sage)

07/04/09 03:10 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

There was a US company called suntracker which made such a chair. Don't know if they are still around - never replied to my email enquiry a few years ago.

(Carpal Tunnel)

07/04/09 07:32 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

Quote:

There was a US company called suntracker which made such a chair.

http://www.suntracker.com/

(scholastic sledgehammer)

07/04/09 03:45 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

What is the length of the parallelogram, pivot to pivot, in your attached photo , to give you the adequate clearance you experience with the chair?

(professor emeritus)

07/04/09 08:13 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewin

I did not find the suntracker to recline adequately for Zenith viewing. IIRC there were three positions only.

I bought a similar looking non-swivelling beach chair from walmart that recline to horizontal, and I was able to rig up a swivelling platform using lazy susan bearing. Toal cost was $25 for chair + $15 for hardware (compared to $90 for suntracker). 'will post picture soon.

(scholastic sledgehammer)

07/04/09 08:24 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

For use of a straight view binocular with a reclining lawn chair , one needs several axes of rotation in the mount. One of those is a hinge, with a vertical axis , as the first motion outboard of the p-gram. This axis is parallel to the azimuth axis , atop the tripod, around which the entire p-gram rotates.

As Rick Miseroy has pointed out, the starting torque for the azimuth axis should be larger than the starting torque for the hinge axis. Otherwise, one must grab the p-gram with one hand, while turning around the hinge axis with the other hand.

So, we should add starting friction to the azimuth axis, while tending to make the hinge move more freely. Perhaps Dobson az bearings should be squeezed together, or the screws or hose clamps surrounding a PVC C-tube around an aluminum pipe or shaft should be tightened.

One might examine the hybrid Dobson plate-bronze bushings az mount in AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKING, edited by Stephen F. Tonkin, (Springer, 1999), in the chapter on a p-mount. One might increase the disc size and pad location radius, and/ or change to a less slippery combination than Teflon and pebbled Formica.

Consider the rudder on a small sailboat. Its fittings, such as pintles, may be useful for the hinge axis.

I coincidentally found yesterday 3 aluminum fittings, 2 inches long ,with 1/2 inch reamed holes lengthwise. One side is flat, parallel to the holes, and the other side is a half-cylinder, also parallel to the holes. The ends are milled flat. They seem to be good mates for some 1/2 inch shoulder bolts, threaded only at the end, titanium, which I have had for a long time. When I saw them, I thought "p-mount hinge!". I only need to drill and tap one or two mounting holes, perpendicular to the hinge hole axis. Has anyone seen an off-the -shelf equivalent to these fittings? Near equivalents could be made from rectangular aluminum bar, in a milling machine or in a lathe with a 4-jaw chuck. Making the half-cylinder side , for clearance, may not be necessary.

(member)

07/04/09 08:47 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

Since Rob appears to have abandoned this thread, the link provided by Stan has proved very helpful. There is much more information here, than the first link. Even assuming the girl in the chair is at full recline, it looks like you could comfortably view to 60 degrees above the horizon without much neck-bending at all. A little neck craning could possibly take you to the zenith without much discomfort. I think I may try modifying one of these chairs with a binocular mount.

Quote:

I bought a similar looking non-swivelling beach chair from walmart that recline to horizontal, and I was able to rig up a swivelling platform using lazy susan bearing.

I've considered this also, but now that I know about the Suntracker, I think I'll try that first.

You guys are a valuable resource! Thanks.

(Professor EdZ)

07/05/09 07:03 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

Quote:

For use of a straight view binocular with a reclining lawn chair , one needs several axes of rotation in the mount. One of those is a hinge, with a vertical axis , ......./

Let's try to let this thread remain as discussion about reclining chairs. This hinge discussion is better suited for the homemade Pgram thread.

thanks
edz

Scanning4Comets

(Postmaster)

07/05/09 07:52 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

OMG !!!

(Carpal Tunnel)

07/05/09 11:16 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

Quote:

OMG !!!

That is BIG. He even has an aircraft warning light on top of the mount! :-)

(Post Laureate)

07/05/09 11:48 AM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

my reclining chair with Unimount and 25x100's

(member)

07/05/09 02:11 PM

Re: Recommend reclining chair for binocular viewing?

Quote:

I bought a similar looking non-swivelling beach chair from walmart that recline to horizontal, and I was able to rig up a swivelling platform using lazy susan bearing. Toal cost was $25 for chair + $15 for hardware (compared to $90 for suntracker). 'will post picture soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing that picture, Kumar!

Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics