Is anyone aware of any binocular viewing chairs on the market?
Friday, August 26th, 2011 at
10:10 pm
I don’t mean a tripod-type mount, but a physical sitting device, with altazimuth motion, like a Dobsonian telescope mount. All I seem to find are homemade ones? Are their any manufactured chairs available for resale?
Well, there is the "COUCH – POTATO TELESCOPE"
http://www.geocities.com/lwraif/SimP/
Then for just under $2k (!)-
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/10949.asp?cm_mmc=CJ-_-2617611-_-3349309-_-Save+up+to+70%25+on+Electronics
The Star Gazing Chair –
http://www.astrogizmos.com/Chair.htm
The R.A.C 1000
http://www.tulsawalk.com/projects/rac1000/index.html
Gary’s Chair –
http://ghonis2.ho8.com/garysbinochair1.html
Then the Voyager –
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/voyager.htm
I believe they sell those on astromart. Have you checked there?
If not, check there.
I googled "binocular viewing chair" and got this link.
I remember a decade ago that an Australian company was selling a motorized "Star Chair" that could track and go to objects. It was quite nice. I think the price was in the $4K USD range.
An alternative to a binocular holder that is pointed upwards, meaning you have to lean back to view, is the Sky Window. http://www.tricomachine.com/skywindow/
It is a first surface mirror for table top use with large binoculars. Point the lenses down at the mirror, and tilt the holder to track upwards. Then you could mount the Sky Window and the chair on a "Lazy Susan" for azimuth rotation.
Edit: http://www.spacescan.org/entry/computerized-chair-for-stargazers/ has a picture of one from Hammacher Schlemmer three years ago for $2K and still might be available.
A homemade chair is "Voyager: A Motorized Binocular Chair" by Schmidt, Wayne M.
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/voyager.htm
http://www.geocities.com/lwraif/SimP/ has a kit to buy.