Observing chair

[Graman]

Hi all, looking for an adjustable height observing chair for astronomy. I am purely visual and the constant bending around/contortions are not doing my lower back any favours!

Please let me know if you have one surplus to your needs. Would prefer Sydney surrounds for local pickup. But happy to pay for shipping if need be.

Pls PM me with details, condition, price etc.

Clear skies and a very Happy New Year!

[Graman]

BUMP!

Still looking for one...looks like Bintel and Andrews used to sell them in the past, but can't find anyone stocking them in Australia. Pls let me know if you know of any astro shop that has them in stock.

Looked at drum thrones, guitar stools but the range of motion height is not sufficient for my needs, as I have both an SCT and a refractor.

I know there are plans available to make one out of wood (e.g. Denver Astro Chair), but my wood working skills are not very good!

Thanks and clear skies!

[dragoncity]

I have a ( not for sale, bought years ago :-) Bintel chair and they are just what you need -- a fact you already know.

Why not ask your local Mens Shed if they will make one from the plans you
like ?

The most important feature is that the seat must have definite positions to 'lock' into, do not rely on any friction locking method -- they eventually slip.

A friend make a timber version and apart from being a little heavier than the metal Bintel version it works just fine,

Good luck,
Brett

[mura_gadi]

Scour Gummie for a second hand adjustable barstool in the mean time, some are free or heaps at less than $20.

I use mine with the SW 8" dob and its works at all heights very well (I'm a little over 6"), if you find your lower back gets chills, I would strongly recommend one with a low curved back.

Despite the looks they can be pretty light, mine weighs in around 4kilo and is one of the better $20 addons I have bought for viewing.

Most give the height from the seat for max/min heights, if you want to see if they'd do the trick.

(I did a quick scan and stock issues abound, though amazon.au did have a nice wooden chair at $99 out of stock - https://www.amazon.com.au/Telescope-10B013-Adjustable-Chair-Astronomical-Observations/dp/B018ZIWDFS)

[sfarndell]

I made one out of scraps and a dowel over a weekend during our lockdowns. Was a fun project and didn’t require specialist tools other than a forstner bit. Now I have one I will not go observing without it. Really saves the back and knees and I spend so much longer at the eyepiece. https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=191876

Sent you a PM with more details

[Graman]

Thanks for the replies and PMs! Much appreciated...

[johngwheeler]

I have one that may suit, but it is the "friction style". It generally stays put, but I tied a "safety rope" just in case, that stops it slipping more than a few centimetres. These are a bit sensitive to how you position yourself on them, so I prefer the Bintel ladder-style that has fixed rungs.

PM me if you are interested. I'm in Putney 2112.