20 replies to this topic

[kotkinjs1]

I know this is an expensive hobby but holy cow, astronomy chair prices seem ridiculous. Has anyone tried one of those musician's chairs for guitarists etc? Like the attached. Adjustable usually and also about a third of the price.

 

 

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[bignerdguy]

There are chairs like that for astronomy purposes so yes, these types are chairs are used.  That one might be better on dirt as it has a wide base and might not sink into the dirt as well.  Also i use a round drummer stool type of chair as it is far easier to get on and off of.  It doesn't have a back and may not be half as comfortable but it is easy to use.

[PIEJr]

I wonder if the backrest could be removed? (Personally I would want the backrest.)

It looks like the seat can swivel to some extent.

[mrowlands]

My Star Bound chair (yep, the expensive one) has a usable range of about 13" to 33".  It will go lower than about 13 but then it will tip forward.  I'm about 5'7" and at the highest settings, I lean on it rather than sit on it.  I think I use this full range on anything bigger than a 4 inch refractor. 

 

I actually started with a homemade Denver chair for several years, but I feel like the upgrade to the Star Bound was well worth it.

 

Mike R.

[vtornado]

Looks like a good chair.    Check the minimum and maximum eyepiece height of your telescope to see if the chair has enough range.  If it does I would go for it.  Some folks use office chairs which can be had for nearly free if you scour craig's list or FB marketplace.

[decep]

A cheaper route might be using an adjustable shower chair.  There are a few varieties.  They are lightweight, waterproof, and height can be fairly easy to adjust.

[HalAC54]

I know this is an expensive hobby but holy cow, astronomy chair prices seem ridiculous. Has anyone tried one of those musician's chairs for guitarists etc? Like the attached. Adjustable usually and also about a third of the price.

Could you please supply a link?

[Spile]

I’ve tried a few chairs and stools and have concluded that the Lybar meets my needs.

[Jethro7]

I know this is an expensive hobby but holy cow, astronomy chair prices seem ridiculous. Has anyone tried one of those musician's chairs for guitarists etc? Like the attached. Adjustable usually and also about a third of the price.

Hello kotinjs1,

The single issue for these chairs is, most chairs don't have enough height adjustment range for my needs, especially on the lower end. My Starbound Observers Chair has a height adjustment range from 13" to 32" and I use the entire range. I agree these observers chairs are expensive but They are game changing accessories. 

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

Edited by Jethro7, 11 January 2025 - 04:47 PM.

[havasman]

9" travel is inadequate for most setups. So cheap in this case is 100% wasted money.

 

Good cheap is building your own adjustable height observers chair, dimensioned so that it is useful for the entire range of your eyepiece height in your setup. https://www.cloudyni.../#entry13895816

[kotkinjs1]

Could you please supply a link?

Something like this:
https://www.ebay.com...emis&media=COPY

But you just need to search for something like 'musician's or guitarist's chairs' on your favorite online sales/auction site of choice, or even used on FB marketplace.

[bignerdguy]

Could you please supply a link?

Try this Amazon link, they have a lot of them.  This is the type i use. 

 

Link

[luxo II]

I know this is an expensive hobby but holy cow, astronomy chair prices seem ridiculous. Has anyone tried one of those musician's chairs for guitarists etc? Like the attached. Adjustable usually and also about a third of the price.

That isn't "fully adjustable" by a long chalk. Most astronomers chairs/stools go a lot higher or lower.

 

Pick any two of functional, low-cost, lightweight, folds-flat but not all four.

 

If you are budget conscious there is this, a buddy has one and it works, and is safe https://kickassprodu...le-pop-up-stool

What I use is light, functional, elegant, and folds flat https://www.berlebac...=details&id=344

Edited by luxo II, 11 January 2025 - 11:50 PM.

[triplemon]

Its also about how fast they can be adjusted.

The depicted chair seems to use through bolts to adjust seat height - so that takes a long time to adjust. Screw bolt out, adjust, find new hole, screw bolt in again. Its OK if you have a few roadies to get things set up for your hourlong gig, but not if you point the telescope to something different every minute or two.

 

With a real astro chair like the cats perch types you can adjust the seat by merely unloading it, grab the seat underneath you and push it to the new height with just one hand.

Edited by triplemon, 12 January 2025 - 05:04 AM.

[Orion68]

I have the Starbound chair and am generally happy with it. Although, there have been some issues. Mine came with tubing that was rusted on the inside, causing a weld to break. It is still limping along with the use of duct tape!

 

My hope is that my sample was an exception. I went with this chair because I needed the generous height adjustment, which it has. Another option is to build your own, which a number of members have done. If you have the skills, this might be the bet option.

 

Good luck.

 

[ayadai]

I have the Starbound chair and am generally happy with it. Although, there have been some issues. Mine came with tubing that was rusted on the inside, causing a weld to break. It is still limping along with the use of duct tape!

 

Drill a hole in the flat section, put a U-bolt through it and bolt it to the tubular section.

[luxo II]

No need to drill the flat section - that weakens it significantly.

Find a U-bolt large enough to go over the flat section and the tube section, at an angle. Between the metal parts insert a piece of hard rubber or carbide paper to create friction.

[Jon Isaacs]

A cheaper route might be using an adjustable shower chair.  There are a few varieties.  They are lightweight, waterproof, and height can be fairly easy to adjust.

 

We have a shower chair.  To adjust the height, you have to get up, figure out where the push tabs are, move each one and get it into the right hole.  It's not easily done in the dark.

 

With the Starbound chair, I put my hands under the seat lift with my legs to unlock the seat, I then position the seat where I want it with my legs and release the seat. I never have to really stand up, it takes a few seconds.. 

 

Jon 

[aeajr]

I know this is an expensive hobby but holy cow, astronomy chair prices seem ridiculous. Has anyone tried one of those musician's chairs for guitarists etc? Like the attached. Adjustable usually and also about a third of the price.

So build one.

 

Observation Chair- Denver Chair – Works Great!
I built this one .  It took about 2 hours.  Can be built from scrap but if
you went all new, about $35.
https://www.denveras...nverObsSeat.pdf

 

 

Observing Chair – Lybar Chair and Variants
I have not built or used any of these but they look interesting and easy to
build.
Naturally you would size the seats according to your needs for your scope.
If you have an SCT your dimensions might be different than if you had a Dob.
https://www.cloudyni...he-lybar-chair/

 

 

 

Starbound Observing Chair - white - I recently added this one but I have the Denver too.
https://www.amazon.c...ss_ts-doa-p_4_9

Edited by aeajr, Yesterday, 04:25 PM.

[Spile]

This is my thoughts on chairs/seats including the Denver and Lybar https://astro.catshill.com/chair/

[Kefka1138]

Keep an eye out for a used option with an appropriate height and stability profile. They turn up on AM and CN classifieds from time to time. Perhaps OfferUp or Craigslist would be good options as well. 

 

I had a drum chair for a while but got lucky and found this one used. A comfortable chair makes a huge difference.