stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 452
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Another question....should the chair have a back rest and arm rests?
Again thanks.
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Scott K
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 916
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Quote:
Another question....should the chair have a back rest and arm rests?
I'd vote no - but others seems to like them. I can't see a ton of use for armrests, but there are arguments to be made for a back rest.
It's really helpful to have some back support if you are going to be sitting for a long period of time. This is a gigantic plus. The comfort level of a chair with a back is substantially better in my opinion than that of a backless stool.
What I don't like about them:
- You have to worry about how they are oriented, you can't just sit down. (If there is a way to fall over because something isn't positioned right, I'll find it. Other people who are less impaired than me probably don't have an issue with this!  )
- I find I'm often leaning forward when looking through an eyepiece - the chairs with backs often don't seem to be well suited for this application.
Really though, it's going to depend mostly on your unique situation. What are the heights of things in your dome? What position are you going to commonly observe from? What's most comfortable for you?
Another factor to consider with any seat is how often will you need to adjust the height, and how easy is it to adjust the height on the seat?
Oh, here's what I use:
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 452
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And yet another question ;<)...should it have wheels?
Thanks
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Pedestal
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 3071
Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas
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Depends on the situation. While I would really like to have wheels on my chair, it would not be usable in my small space. To much in the way.
Hubert
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www.smoggybottom.org
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Digital Don
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 883
Loc: Manteno
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It all depends on the scope you'll be using it with.
My CPC 1100 doesn't require much vertical movement, just wheels! An equatorially mounted refractor will require greater range for example.
Personally, I prefer a chair with a back. I'd like arms too, but I think they might get in the way.
Don
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4187
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Wheels....lol...I'm playing with the idea of making a lazy susan floor in the center of my observatory so the chair could be bolted to the lazy susan and thus stationary but it can travel completely around the pier as the lazy susan turns.... ... so far I estimate it will take about 1000 golf balls to act as bearings... LOL
As it is my OB is only 10x10 I just might purchase a second Stardust chair and keep it in the opposite corner then I do my other one...at least that way I will not have to drag the chair all around the obs... No limits to how lazy I can be...
Bob G
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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Digital Don
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 883
Loc: Manteno
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"so far I estimate it will take about 1000 golf balls to act as bearings... LOL "
That could prove interesting if you forget that the floor moves! 
Who knows, you might invent a new Olympic event!
Don
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rodney
domed in NJ
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 463
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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Jim,
I built a low rider platform for my observatory last year. It is carpeted on the bottom and top so it does not interfere with the foam pads on the floor. A chair with wheels would not work for me with those foam floor pads in place. My stool works as a seat for when I am at the PC, a step when I need extra height to get to the EP, and a leaner when the guidescope is in an odd location.
Clear skies,
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My Explora Dome construction is here:
http://www.freewebs.com/rodbo1967/observatoryconstruction.htm
Rodney
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Extremely happy owner of an Explora Dome home observatory
and a list of goodies to big for this sig
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
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Rodney, would you happen to have a photo of your low rider platform?
Thanks!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 3169
Loc: Ireland
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I'm a big fan of wheels.
I've also discovered that I'm a big fan of backs. I had to get a shorter chair for my new scope (which hangs off the back of the mount more) and didn't bother to get a back on the new chair. I get a sore back after about an hour in it (where-as I can go for at least 3 hours in my old chair -- with a very minimal back -- without ill effects).
Here's a picture of the old chair (which I still use when not pointing near the zenith).
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Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
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rwiederrich
Goldfinger
Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 6006
Loc: Bremerton Washington
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Quote:
Another question....should the chair have a back rest and arm rests?
Again thanks.
Personally, I find a dental assistant chair to be the best compromise.
First, it raises quite high, and what is nice..is it lowers very low. I has a ringed arm rest that you can swing out of the way and use as a back rest...or better...swing around in front of you while your viewing and rest your elbows on it.
I had an extra one at my office...so now it rolls out with me..when we go viewing.
You can see it by the roll away chart table behind the scope in this image.
Generally I don't use a chair...because of my mounts ability to raise and lower...but when I am studying objects..I like to sit..rest my arms while holding the remote controls and simply enjoy.
Rob
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www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
Providing a great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.
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