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GeneT
Ely Kid
Reged: 11/07/08
Loc: South Texas
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: okieav8r]
#5664330 - 02/05/13 09:15 PM
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I'm shopping around for an observing chair and it kills me to see how expensive it is. I think all of the astronomical equipments are over priced. 
Which chairs do you guys have and which one would you recommend?
Part of the reason for the expense is economy of scale. Astronomy equipment companies cater to a small niche market, so they can't crank out high quality gear 24/7 like other products. Profit margins for such companies is actually pretty slim, I would imagine. If we want good products, it has to be worth the maker's while, or we make it ourselves.
I have a Starbound chair, and despite the expense, it has proven itself to be a great investment, in my opinion.
Agree--well said!
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starrancher
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/09/09
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: GeneT]
#5664490 - 02/05/13 11:30 PM
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Jon's photo of his Dob in front of the "Mittens" has got to be one of the greats .
On another note ;
I'm amazed how many are not aware that being seated comfortably while viewing , drastically enhances what you'll see at the eyepiece . It was one of the first things I learned in the hobby .
I tried viewing while standing a couple times . I couldn't even keep my eye over the ocular . Not only that , but a about fell right over .
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Littlegreenman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/09/05
Loc: Southern California
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: starrancher]
#5664530 - 02/06/13 12:29 AM
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I consider a good chair to be an essential part of an observing kit:
1. telescope
2. mount (integrated into the scope if you have a dob)
3. eyepieces, at least two and a Barlow
4. chair
5. proper attire for weather
6. mosquito protection if needed
7. coffee
Going over the above list, I think during my lifetime I will spend the most money on the last item, just in small amounts over time. Compared to other hobbies or fanaticism, astronomy can be relatively cheaply. And you can start cheap and add on over time.
I used to have a TV air chair, very nice, easily adjustable. A while back I read some posts here regarding other 'drummer's thrones' that worked fine and were under $100. Off topic tale: once I was setting up in a National Forest. The Air Chair was out, but not much else. A couple of local Sheriffs stopped to see why a car was stopped at a turn out at night. Seeing the air chair one asked me what I was doing with a drummer's chair--was I going to be setting up drums and playing them in the middle of the night out in the forest?!!
LGM
Edited by Littlegreenman (02/06/13 12:35 AM)
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HellsKitchen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/05/08
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: Littlegreenman]
#5664707 - 02/06/13 06:45 AM
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An observing chair costs $179 from the astro shop.
I stack plastic outdoor chairs for my observing and it is useful, if cumbersome way to adjust height! They cost less than $10 each at my local hardware store.
I find a stack of 5 chairs to be good for my 12" and 4 for my 8" and that pretty much covers all elevations.
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csrlice12
Postmaster
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: Mike B]
#5664819 - 02/06/13 08:54 AM
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Nah, just a couple of bare wires hooked up to your PowerTank.......
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: csrlice12]
#5665720 - 02/06/13 05:38 PM
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Um, no thanks. I get that done quarterly, starting mid-April.
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GeneT
Ely Kid
Reged: 11/07/08
Loc: South Texas
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: starrancher]
#5665781 - 02/06/13 06:16 PM
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I couldn't even keep my eye over the ocular . Not only that , but a about fell right over.
Same thing happened to me--but, I think it was the Jameson. 
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starrancher
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/09/09
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: GeneT]
#5665797 - 02/06/13 06:24 PM
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I couldn't even keep my eye over the ocular . Not only that , but a about fell right over.
Same thing happened to me--but, I think it was the Jameson.
I actually prefer J&B but that wasn't the culprit . I kinda hung that up a few years ago . Stone cold sober , I can't seem to stay without sway while trying to observe . Don't know why as otherwise I have pretty decent balance .
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rflinn68
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/09/12
Loc: Arkansas
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: starrancher]
#5665822 - 02/06/13 06:42 PM Attachment (11 downloads)
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Just make you one. I made this one myself. Its modeled after Starmasters Starstep Observing Chair.
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plav1959
sage
Reged: 05/10/07
Loc: Central Florida
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: csrlice12]
#5665836 - 02/06/13 06:50 PM
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StarBound, StarDust, StarSearch.....at some point in time, we all fall on our butt and completely embarrass ourselves....
Well I've never fallen off my Stardust chair, but I have fallen over it a few times. Get a white one or at least some LED blinkers....
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Bill Cowles
MacGyver
Reged: 04/16/06
Loc: Utah
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Re: OMG Observing Chairs are so expensive, WHY?
[Re: core]
#5666032 - 02/06/13 09:18 PM Attachment (13 downloads)
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I saw this chair posted last year an bought it from Amazon for 86 dollars, and it is great , think the only change is they use a manufacture #, rather than a name.
Bill
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