Observing Chair, eye patch and spectacle band

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:12 pm

Ok... I got my observing chair!

I have field tested it twice. This chair is very easy to setup - just open up the legs and chair. It fits into the car's boot, it is light (about 5kg), well made in Japan, comfortable, infinitely adjustable (meaning there is no discrete steps in position), has foot rest, easy to adjust by lifting the seat up and placing it at the position required, seat also will not get lost as it is in the chair's frame. Also, when I move the chair, the seat does not drop off from its position. The adjustment range is good and at maximum height, I can seat while my dob is pointed zenith...but if I get a tracking platform which adds height to the dob, I need to place the chair on the trolley (that I use for transporting the dob) for added height.

When folded:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3756/img0216so0.jpg

At lowest position:
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6149/img0213ql0.jpg

At highest position:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2661/img0214xs9.jpg

For visual observing, there are a few things that I find VERY IMPORTANT. Firstly, I find the eye patch very essential. I do not know about you guys, but with the eye patch, my eyes are relaxed I can observe much longer without any strain and I am able to observe fine details better. One of the reasons why people buy binoviewers is because of the comfort. With an eye patch, it can give almost equal comfort as a binoviewer. Secondly, is the chair. I have been looking for a proper chair for a long time, but this time I have a good one.

After using the observing chair twice, I did not experience any backache, or leg ache after doing 'yoga'. Again, teasing out fine details is much easier on a chair than standing, squating, kneeling or doing yoga as you can concentrate. Lastly, for spectacles wearers, the spectacle band is a good solution for people who have eyepieces that has shorter eye relief (orthos, plossls etc) and also for people who like me, like to observe without glasses and with the eye patch.

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6704/img0217xb5.jpg

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:44 pm

at maximum height, I can seat while my dob is pointed zenith...

Yang beng, what is the height of your eye position at the maximum seating height? Nice chair! how much is it again with shipping and all?

cheers,

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:42 am

I am not too sure what is my eye position at zenith, but I guess it is probably 155 to 160cm.

I don't know about shipping to Singapore as I collected the chair in USA.

http://www.buyastrostuff.com/store/Meta ... e-page.htm

This is the cheapest and probably one of the best observing chair.

aquillae · Post by **aquillae** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:54 am

I love to wear "eyepatch" for observing, well i didnt have one so I used my jacket's hood or my "sock-hat" to cover 1/2 of my face hehe.

that's a nice and strong looking chair btw.

river · Post by **river** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:23 pm

you can get a eyepatch from some hospital or pharmacy store for ~S$4.

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:40 am

Yup, the eyepatch is sold in pharmacies. The spectacle band can be found in spectacle shops. Whenever, I observe, I would just take them out of my lens box; I do not wear them normally

. These things are cheap. A good chair, that is adjustable and portable is a good investment.

Many times, newbies who look through telescopes will complain about the discomfort of standing in awkward positions and having to strain their eyes to look through the eyepiece.

Post by **acc** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:47 pm

Hi Canopus
I am thinking of bringing back one from the US. Did you send it as checked luggage?

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:01 pm

Yup. My chair was in one cardboard box total weight with chair about 7kg I guess.