Guide to the Best Astronomy Observing Chair
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There’s nothing better then getting out at night with a telescope, a good supply of snacks, and some tunes to settle in for a few hours of stargazing. But standing for hours or sitting on a folding chair can really spoil the night. To avoid stargazing neck cramps an adjustable astronomy observing chair is what you need. Good news: they exist! Not only do they exist but there are options. My butt and I have put the best ones through their paces and put together this guide to the best stargazing chairs on the market right now.
What To Look For When Buying An Adjustable Astronomy Observing Chair
Comfort! This has to be the first thing you look for. I know that you many think that the stool you saw for twenty bucks downtown will get the job done, but looking at the stars should be fun and relaxing. You cannot relax if you have to keep shuffling around to get comfortable. You also need portability and storability. You do not want your chair taking up a lot of space when you aren’t using it. Being adjustable is something else you want to look for. You need a chair that lets you adapt to different circumstances and heights.
Vestil CPRO-800LP Ergonomic Worker Seat/Chair
This Vestil chair is the lowest priced on this list and at first glance it does tick all the boxes for what you would want in a good adjustable astronomy observing chair. The seat can be raised from 18 inches all the way up to 33 inches. It can take up to 300 pounds and when not being used it folds up flat for easy storage.
Still, you get what you pay for and the padding is a little on the thin side. I used this for a couple of hours and did not find any major discomfort, but in comparison to the other chairs on this list, its not as comfortable.
Adjusting the Vestil’s height is very simple and requires no effort at all, but do not use too much force (like I did) as it feels as though this process might bend it in the wrong way. Aside from a delicate adjusting mechanism, the chair feels well built.
Pros:
- Lowest price chair on this list
- High back
- Can take a lot of weight
- Easy to store
Cons:
- Padding is a little on the thin side
- Does not go as low as the other chairs
Company Seven StarBound Astronomy Viewing Chair
The first thing that caught my eye about Company Seven’s adjustable astronomy observing chair was how nice, thick and chunky the actual seat looks. This is first rate padding and better still, almost entirely rot and decay proof.
The chair can be adjusted from a low 9 inches all the way up to 31 inches, creating an ideal comfort height for anyone who uses it. I enjoyed how thick the frame is for this chair and I got the impression it would last for a very long time. When not in use you can fold the chair up, which makes storing it very simple.
If there’s a problem with Company Seven’s product its the lack of padding on the very top. If you’re like me, and you like to sit low, you’ll find your head resting on metal from time to time. To be fair, this is more of an issue with the way I used the chair than the actual design of the chair itself.
This chair a little pricier than the Vestil, but I feel that it’s worth the extra 20 to 30 bucks as it is more comfortable. Also the jet black look is very cool, like something James Bond would sit on, if James Bond were actually a huge astronomy nerd and not a guy who shoots people while wearing a tux.
Pros:
- Very comfortable seat
- Easy to adjust
- Feels very robust
- Easy to look after
Cons:
- Back could be a little higher
- It does cost a bit more than the Vestil
Starbound Astronomy Viewing Chair
The Starbound Astronomy chair made me do more than a few double takes. This looks virtually identical to the Company Seven chair, with all the same features I liked on that product.
So what’s the difference? Color. The Starbound Astronomy Chair has a nice, white finish. Or is it nice? The thing is, white shows mud and dirt much easier than black and if you’re stargazing you’re probably going to end up doing a lot of stomping around in mud and dirt. Is that a big deal? Maybe not, but you’re probably better off getting the black one.
Pros:
- Looks cool
- Seat has nice comfortable padding
- Has a strong build
- Folds up for convenient storage
Cons:
- The white frame will get dirty easily
- A higher back would have been nice
Which Astronomy Observing Chair Is Best?
Picking the best adjustable astronomy chair out of these three is easy. In all honesty I had very little to grumble about with the Vestil, but my butt and I agree that the best of the three is the Company Seven StarBound Astronomy Viewing Chair. It may have offered the same comfort level as the Starbound Astronomy Viewing Chair, but it came down to the fact that I felt the black design would be less maintenance than the white. If you prefer the cool look of the white and do not mind having to give it a clean, then by all means go for the Starbound. I’ll be doing my star gazing while sitting on the Company Seven StarBound Astronomy Viewing Chair.
