 Every year around this time, the Perseids meteor shower hits its peak. Watching it requires a clear night in the country, a few blankets and maybe some binoculars. But a night spent looking skyward usually results in neck pain.
The StarSeeker chair from Bigha, an admittedly geeky contraption, aims to make stargazing comfortable. The $1,950 package consists of a rugged aluminum base, collapsible lounge chair, adjustable binocular mount and small battery-powered motor. It fits easily into a car trunk and assembles in a couple of minutes.
The chair reclines smoothly under body pressure, and the viewing controls are easily operated in the dark. The counterweighted binocular bar allows a range of vertical motion, from just above the horizon to directly overhead. The motor, controlled by a small joystick, gently rotates the chair at variable speeds. A green laser sight is also part of the package, casting a powerful beam that can help fix the binoculars on a particular spot.
Coupled with Canon’s 18 x 50 image-stabilizing binoculars (an optional $1,175 accessory from Bigha) and an open area, the StarSeeker makes the entire night sky available for crisp, pain-free viewing.
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