GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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I wanted to let you all know that I was recently contacted by Chris Floyd the inventor and owner of the Sky Rover StarChair 3000.
He is back after some health issues and currently has a run of 20 StarChairs almost ready for shipping to new homes.
3 of these are ready now, with 17 more that will be ready in about a month, at which time he is planning to have his site www.starchair.com back on line.
Chris told me that the ones that are ready now use the same analog joystick to drive the StarChair about the sky.
This is a PC gamers' joystick and works quite well, but they are getting harder to find.
The other 17 will be using a Penny and Giles digital joystick, which is a high precision, industrial grade joystick that doesn't use the same internal moving components as does the PC joystick, and will have a very long life.
This change to the P&G joystick necessitated the input circuit be redesigned, which according to Chris is beta tested, and he is waiting for the double sided circuit boards to be delivered.
I have been using my StarChair for almost the past 5 years, mainly with my 25X150 Fujinons.
It has had some pretty large individuals taking rides in it, and lots of fidgety children, has traveled all over the US with us for more then 3 years stowed away in the storage bay of our motorcoach, all with no problems whatsoever ...... so I'm a happy StarChair owner.
I've done a number of modifications to mine, and this winter will modify the mounting system for my 25X150 Fujinons so they will have a gas strut assisted lift system to make it easy to add some other modifications, and to work similar to the normal binocular lift system that the StarChair comes with for mounting binos up to 110 mm.
I want to experiment using telescope optics with the chair, as it is the most comfortable way to observe the night sky.
I have a small 12 volt electric blanket that connects to the battery of the StarChair, and the existing accessory big Fuji mounting system can handle a load well in excess of 45 lbs, so I'm hoping to find the "sweet spot" between focal length and the appearance of vibrations that is really your head slightly moving from heartbeat/breathing and etc., that will allow the use of more powerful instrument than my 25X150 Fujis.
The StarChair is "encoder ready" so it can use any of the DSC systems out there.
I just recently changed from a JMI NGCMax to a Sky Commander and have been using 8K tic encoders. I am also experimenting with both the Celestron SkyScout and Meade MySky to use as finders, but mainly to add the multi-media (video and audio) to the ride.
I've asked Chris to provide some pricing info that I can pass on, and I hope to hear back soon regarding that.
I believe in late 2004 I paid just over $4k for the chair, and ~$1500 for the mount to handle the big Fujis, that and the shipping, import tax, and I hired an import broker to handle the paperwork for customs, the total delivered price was ~$6300 as I recall.
A fair sum to be sure. But when I look at all the money I've spent on different scopes that have me either climbing ladders, bent over/kneeling on the ground with little pebbles digging into my knees ..... just so I could get to to eyepiece, then spending many nights freezing my extremities off, all just plain making it an uncomfortable and physically tiring situation that negatively impacted how much time I actually spend at the eyepiece 'truly' observing ........ the comfort and warmth of a platform that's basically an overstuffed armchair with a heating blanket (which I added for less than $30) the StarChair is a bargain!
If my "uni-mount" for other optics works out, all I'll need to attach is a cup holder, 12Volt cooler and small pizza oven ....... and then I'm not coming in anymore!!
In any case ...... I'll post more information as I obtain it, and keep the forum updated on my modification's success or failures.
BTW: There are pictures of my StarChair in the photos section for those of you that are not familiar with it.
Best regards,
Gary
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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This post shows how diverse this forum can be.
Several recent threads/discussions have centered around minimalist approach to observation, not even using a tripod, quick out the door, handheld, with some even expressing somewhat of an aversion to anything more than what can be carried around the neck.
this certainly exemplifies the opposite end of the spectrum.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Actually Ed, I was only joking about the pizza oven. 
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5668
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I like the idea,
but not yet.
edj
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n w arkansas
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DizzyGazer
member
Reged: 01/14/09
Posts: 40
Loc: Concrete, WA. USA
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I can't afford one, but I can sure see the value in it!
That chair could be just-the-ticket to allow a physically challenged amateur to be able to get out and observe again.
Mike
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Astro-Tech AT102ED
Orion Sirius EQ-G
Edge-On and Stratus EP's
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5668
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Quote:
I can't afford one, but I can sure see the value in it!
That chair could be just-the-ticket to allow a physically challenged amateur to be able to get out and observe again.
Mike
The perfect gift for the old amateur astronomer
edj
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n w arkansas
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Thaellar
member
Reged: 10/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Houston, TX
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Quote:
The perfect gift for the old amateur astronomer
edj
No...the perfect gift for the serious amateur astronomer.
I want one. 
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Thaellar
Meade LX-90
Orion ST120
Celestron ST80
Leupold 10x50 on SkyWindow
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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I certainly want one too!
that would be the perfect gift to me 
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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Gary, could you please post a picture of the star chair looking at or near zenith?
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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I just got the StarChair 3000 new retail price from Chris Floyd .
It will be $US6,095 plus freight and any import duty etc.. that your state might add.
After spending the past five years with mine, I can honestly say that I would gladly pay this if I didn't have one.
IMO the StarChair's $ per time period of 'actually observing' (that it provides as a result of it's total comfort for 'any' object position) is one of the best deals I've made in astro-gear purchases.
Best regards,
Gary
P.S. I have no affiliation with StarChair other than being a very happy customer that wants to share this unique observing experience with others.
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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No problem ......... see below.
The StarChair will go from horizon to just past zenith with binos up to 110 mm., and from just about 10º above horizon to past zenith with the big Fujis.
The outriggers are actually only needed to run the chair if empty 'only' when the big Fujis are used.
Once a person is in the chair the outriggers are redundant due to the geometry and low center of gravity when a person is riding in it.
With 110mm and smaller binos the outriggers and frame for the big Fujis are not used, and a smaller adjustable 'flip-up' mount is attached to the front of the black "back hook" that goes overhead.
In these pictures I've driven it to just past Zenith both with and without my 'lovely' (I almost got busted) wife in the chair.
Because the mount for the big Fujis tilts them up a bit, they get to zenith with the chair itself not all the way laid back, which is a lot more comfortable, but if wanting to go to the lowest point just above horizon, it can cramp your legs a bit because as you get to the horizon the chair seat is tipped forward by the same amount as the upward tilt of the big Fuji's frame, and as you drive downward your knees start to rise to an uncomfortable position when your feet touch the ground.
The stock mount (for binos of 110mm or less) can be adjusted to have a tip or not.
For astronomy I very seldom observe under about 15º so it's a moot point.
But .....we live less than 20 miles outside of Yosemite, and so when I take the StarChair and big Fujis to the Yosemite Valley to watch rock climbers scaling El Capitan and Half Dome, I typically watch the ones that are about 15 to 20º above the valley floor, or I use a set of smaller binos.
Spending an afternoon sitting under a lawn-chair sun umbrella attached to the StarChair and snacking away while watching climbers is almost impossible to do during the peak of the tourist season due to interruptions.
I mean really .....how can one say no to kids (both large and small) that want to try it??
But out in the 4 corners region sitting in a campsite and watching the cliff dwelling wildlife during the day, and stars at night ...... all alone, is both awesome .... and a little scary.
Best regards,
Gary
Edited by GaryHeath (09/17/09 03:55 PM)
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Picture - 2
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Picture - 3
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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your chair is simply awesome I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Yeah, it really is pretty cool.
The drive is a conventional worm and gear for Az, and a lead screw system for Alt, driven by 12V DC gearmotors.
So it's a proven and very robust drive system that is not prone to any slipping, and needs very little maintenance.
I forget exactly how much weight Chris tested the chair with, but I believe it was in excess of 1000 lbs.
It's almost all aluminum with a fiberglass drive cover, so each of the two subassembly that it breaks down into (without need for tools) is light enough for one person to carry, and will fit through a normal doorway.
I'm playing with adapting a AutoStar based GOTO system to mine, but first I want to built a slightly different frame for the big Fuji's that will also allow me to use different OTAs as well.
If that works out as well as I hope it will, then I will do the GOTO adaptation to mine.
In the meantime I just started using a Sky Commander instead of the NCGMax basically because it only needs a two star alignment and no leveling.
I spent almost all of last night under the mag 6.3 skies of my driveway, and will be out there again tonight playing with the Sky Commander on the chair.
Best regards,
Gary
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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EricP
member
Reged: 11/09/07
Posts: 87
Loc: Dallas, Texas
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Gary,
You've actually got me believing that $6300 for one of these is a bargain! 
If I lived under dark skies, it would be very easy for me to justify a purchase. For now, I'll just have to enjoy a StarChair vicariously through you, so keep us up to date with your modifications. 
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Garrett Optical 28x110HD Signature Series
Oberwerk 20x80 Standard
Garrett Optical 15x70WP-CF
Garrett Optical 10x50 Gemini
Bushnell 8x40 fitted w/solar filters
Celestron NexStar-11 GPS
SkyWatcher 120mm Equinox APO refractor
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Heck ... it's only half the price of a Paramount ME, less than a TEC 160 OTA  and you can ride it!! 
But ...... I am thinking I should get Chris to give me a kickback. 
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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later
sage
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Posen, Michigan
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Gary,
Awesome setup!
I do have a question. Do your legs swinging in midair cause the image to move while observing?
Gary
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Galileo 15 X 70
Oberwerk BT100-45
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Yes it would, but because the seat bottom has an overstuffed forward roll, legs swinging isn't an issue (you would have to force it).
The original StarChair had an extension for a foot rest, but the newer version's seat bottom made it obsolete.
But, while on this subject I should mention that the mount for the big (~45 lb) Fujis, does end up with some vibrations after you slew the chair.
But it dies out fairly quick.
Chris recommends the use of motorcycle tie down straps between the basket of the big Fuji mount and seat side plates, but it's not so bad that I want to put up with the constraints of using them.
However, it's one of the lesser reasons that leave me committed to building a dual arm 'lifting' mount for when I use the big Fujis.
With the standard mount for up to 110mm binos (I've used 10 and 16X70mm Fujis and 80mm Garretts) it is not an issue at all.
The chair's variable speed drive is smooth enough to ride it while easily maintaining a satellite as a clear steady image while you chase it across the sky, matching it's (or various aircraft) speed ....... even with the big Fujis.
Best regards,
Gary
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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later
sage
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Posen, Michigan
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I would love to tear the covers off that thing...............
(from an old typerwriter repairman)
Gary
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Galileo 15 X 70
Oberwerk BT100-45
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