Questar 50th

My #222 from Company 7 arrived over the summer. I was very happy with the scope and all the goodies that came with it. It is truly a work of art. Enjoy!

The astronomical highlight of this past summer . . .

I ended up going with Company 7 as they also inspect and measure the scope optics and mechanics (possibly why they quoted a longer lead time, and another set of eyes never hurts) and offer many other full-service niceties like eyepiece swap, free one-day training course, storage until you can pick it up locally if you want, and they're near Washington DC which is easy to get to from the UK.

I can't emphasize this enough. Company 7 inspects the scope with you present (if you pick it up at their shop). Dr. Cohen found issues with the fit of my eyepieces. This check was not on the factory check list. He called immediately Questar to complain and a new eyepiece was overnighted to the store. You get service all for the same factory price.

Hearing on the yahoo forum that the Q50 is sold out. Has anyone heard that? regards

coz,

on 3/2012 SN 199 was delivered

on 3/2012 Jim R at Questar estimated 2 dozen left

on 6/2013 SN 222 was delivered through Company 7

on 8/2013 SN 244 was delivered

On 10/10/2013 Questar said less than 12 remained

Your guess is as good as it gets unless you call Questar. I have heard that more than one person has been told there are no 50 ths available. There are still a number of non-delivered ones waiting for the PGII to be provided (possibly being supplied with a new PGIII when available). That means if one of the pending 50ths customers canceled it might become available.

Bill

Munirocks,

 

Nice to see another 50th is on its way to the U.K., congratulations on getting one before they sell out.

 

I purchased mine direct from Questar 11 years ago this December and it still looks brand new. There are few telescopes that can stand the amount of use my Q gets and not show signs of wear.

 

I had an older Duplex before I got my 50th and like you I was looking at getting a new model when the 50th came out. It had all the features I wanted including the quartz optics and full aperture solar filter. On top of that the optical certification is the icing on the cake.

 

Let us know when it turns up.

Last year I had asked Questar about ordering a Q7 with 1/10 min optics and they said they wouldn't do it fyi.

 

That is a Questar 7. Getting 1/10 P-V on the wavefront is hard - four times harder than on the 3.5". I don't know if they guarantee a figure for the 7", but I understand they usually come out at 1/6 P-V wavefront. My TMB 100/800 refractor is 1/7 wave and .995 Strehl, so 1/6 is fine. Getting 1/10 would cost several thousand more, and you'd likely not be able to tell the difference in use most of the time. Perhaps they wouldn't do it because they didn't want you to waste money.

The Q 3.5 50th on the Astro-Pier.  Rock solid, Daddio!

 

The Tri-Stand was just a bit too short for my taste.  With the Astro-Pier I can sit comfortably with the observing chair OR stand.

 

Sometimes I get Apo fever but after looking at the complicated setups with all the cords and gizmos I remember why I got the Q to begin with.  As the photo depicts, there is a simple, organic, functional elegance happening here.

 

Bob

 

 

The Q 3.5 50th on the Astro-Pier.  Rock solid, Daddio!

 

The Tri-Stand was just a bit too short for my taste.  With the Astro-Pier I can sit comfortably with the observing chair OR stand.

 

Sometimes I get Apo fever but after looking at the complicated setups with all the cords and gizmos I remember why I got the Q to begin with.  As the photo depicts, there is a simple, organic, functional elegance happening here.

 

Bob

 

Great set up Bob!

 

Reminds me of the wonderful Questar 3 1/2 configuration the late and wonderful Ron Ravneberg used. Still miss you Ron.

 

Reminds me of the wonderful Questar 3 1/2 configuration the late and wonderful Ron Ravneberg used. Still miss you Ron.

 

So true!!! I absolutely did a double take thinking just that when I first saw it. RIP Ron. 

Unlike the 50th Anniversary model, my 1959 Questar gains a new anniversary number every year. Right now, it is the 55th Anniversary model.

 

 

Reminds me of the wonderful Questar 3 1/2 configuration the late and wonderful Ron Ravneberg used. Still miss you Ron.

 

So true!!! I absolutely did a double take thinking just that when I first saw it. RIP Ron. 

 

I thought it was really interesting that Ron Ravenberg had telescopes up to 17" and when at home used his Questar 3 1/2. He had interesting photo's on how he used it. I don't know If the Ron Ravenberg memorial  archives are still available but at one time they were edited and didn't have the Questar info. I feel Omitting  Questar  fails to show his complete telescope interests.   I'm glad I downloaded the original which includes all that he intended to post.

Edited by A6Q6, 23 August 2014 - 09:19 AM.

Mr. Ravneberg's set up can be viewed on the Questar Yahoo group forum. Look at "Mowable Observatory" under Files, and "Folding Observatory" under Albums.

The last Q50 in the run of 250 was recently sold

It’s official.  The Q 50th is now sold out.   But I’m not going to relegate mine to the display case.  I intend to take it to as many public events as I can.

hi - Do you know who bought it, and what the serial number is?

I don’t know who bought it or the S/N.  However it will be interesting to see how often the Q 50th model is listed on the used marker and what prices they command.