84 replies to this topic

[gedaliah]

Hi all,

 

Long time lurker first time poster in this forum. 

 

I was at Questar today to pick up my scope. I noticed a copy of the "The Questar Moon" in the display case and another one on a table. Ironically I just put in a classified yesterday that I was looking for a copy. I had the book in my hand and asked Jim if he was willing to sell it. He declined saying that it was the only copy they had. I pointed out that there was one in the display case. He still declined. We chatted for a while and as I was leaving I said that if he changes his mind about the book to let me know. He then told me to "just take it." Today is his last day at Questar and he is feeling generous.

 

We chatted a little more, I thanked him and wished him well in his retirement and left.

 

A lovely man. I glad I had the opportunity to meet him.

 

--Gedaliah

[Toxo144]

First Jim Reichert, now Jim Perkins!  The end of an era.  I wish them both the best in retirement.

 

Toxo

[RMay]

Just called and they’re closed for the weekend. Meh… I wonder what plans the owner has for the company, including military, surveillance/special ops (the real money-makers), and of course, consumer.

I’ll call Monday and inquire if there’s any news following these two significant retirements that they might like to share with the community.

Ron

[vcnightscope2017]

Both Jim's really made the customer experience top notch and I enjoyed speaking with them whenever I called them. I wish them all the best. I would be curious to hear as well if there were any motivations besides retirement or any new Questar news.

[BobStarr]

Thanks Jim Perkins for your faithful dedicated service to Questar. Always a pleasure when we used to speak at the old Stella Della Valley star parties and at NEAF. Enjoy your well deserved retirement! Questar will not be the same.

[Larry Geary]

Neither of the Jims seem old enough to retire. I wonder what's going on. And who do we contact with questions or service requests? Their website hasn't been updated in 20 years so don't expect to see anything there.

[98105dude]

Well, it's nice you scored the book. I wonder what would have happened if you'd asked for a 1954 prototype. But seriously - I hope the news out of New Hope represents a changing of the guard and not the end of a 70-year-long era.

Edited by 98105dude, 04 May 2024 - 11:33 PM.

[Mike McShan]

Well, his retirement was a surprise to me since I had just exchanged emails with him two days before. Like everyone, I wish him the best in retirement and hope that the company continues in good health for a long time to come.  I think that if Questar closed their doors, the value of our instruments would go up quickly.

 

Clear skies,

Mike

[Larry Geary]

Just called and they’re closed for the weekend. Meh… I wonder what plans the owner has for the company, including military, surveillance/special ops (the real money-makers), and of course, consumer.

I’ll call Monday and inquire if there’s any news following these two significant retirements that they might like to share with the community.

Ron

Do let us know if you find out anything.

[Larry Geary]

Well, his retirement was a surprise to me since I had just exchanged emails with him two days before. Like everyone, I wish him the best in retirement and hope that the company continues in good health for a long time to come.  I think that if Questar closed their doors, the value of our instruments would go up quickly.

 

Clear skies,

Mike

The value may go up or down, but my concern is where would we get them serviced.

[Larry Geary]

If anyone has dealings with Company 7, maybe they could ask Marty if he knows anything.

[vrotondi]

Martin Cohen called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I was still interested in a new Q7 base. I said that I wasn't in a position to make a big purchase at this time, and he said, and I quote " Are you sure because there are a couple people that are retiring from Questar, and I don't know if Questar will survive or if you will ever be able to get one of these again.", I am not sure how to interoperate this as I don't know the current standing of that business, but I would take info from C7 seriously. Mind you that I had placed that order 3 years ago, and I totally forgot about it.

[98105dude]

Does anybody know if anyone at Company Seven can service / repair Questars?

[RMay]

Does anybody know if anyone at Company Seven can service / repair Questars?

I spoke to Company Seven today; they currently serve solely as an intermediary between Q and the customer when it comes to repairs.

Ron

[Tom Graham]

Having only limited and recent experience with Questar through Jim Reichert, I can respectfully add my…

 

very best wishes to both Jim Reichert and Jim Perkins — and

my hope for the continued success of Questar, an outstanding example of an American company of excellent product design, craftsmanship and customer service. 

[Terra Nova]

Hopefully the company will be able to find some individuals to fill the shoes of those that recently left, tho they will definitely be big shoes to fill. I would hate to see the legend to die! Hopefully the company recovers from this loss and moves forward.

[98105dude]

Thanks Ron. 

[Larry Geary]

Some information on Questar: https://www.buzzfile...on-215-862-5277

[Terra Nova]

Some information on Questar: https://www.buzzfile...on-215-862-5277

I never realized what a really small company that Questar is. I have to wonder how big they were during the heyday of the Space Race or if they were always about this size. They are almost a boutique manufacturer! It’s a credit to their product, service, and employees that they have been able to withstand the enormous outside forces of much larger economies of scale in the telescope industry. I certainly hope this wonderful homegrown and still remarkably onshore American company has been able to sustain itself for seven decades will continue to do so long into the future. I shudder to think that one day all small Maksutovs will come from China. All the more reason to buy a Questar and keep things going for posterity.

Edited by Terra Nova, 10 May 2024 - 09:44 AM.

[Moon-Watcher]

Hey all,

Just adding my 2 cents.  Best wishes to both Jims in their well-deserved retirement.  I also hope that Questar continues to thrive.  In one form or another, Questar has been a name that has followed me around since I was a spotty teenager walking to Luton Central Library in England to read the astronomy magazines on the weekends through to now where I get to look through, and at, this beautiful machine every clear night.

To Questar and the Jims,

The Undiscovered Country: The Future.

[tomix]

Hi All,

 

perhaps one of the last (if really not the last) units assembled by Jim P.

QM1 with Silica optics for UV region. Arrived few days ago.

 

Over 25 yers of our partnership with Questar and I still can't stop to admire their excellence - mechanical, optical. And manually engraved serial numbers - who offers such classics today

 

There is a ball pen tip detail on the 2nd image taken from abou 90cm distance.  On the 2nd one is the detail of our office room reflected on ball

 

Many thanks to JIm R and Jim P.  Those years were really good!

Tom
 

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[Hunziker-1]

I just saw a post on the Questar facebook page. Person is saying they have the last Duplex produced and will be auctioning it off as unopened on Astromart

Edited by Hunziker-1, 13 May 2024 - 12:33 PM.

[Steve C.]

I just saw a post on the Questar facebook page. Person is saying they have the last Duplex produced and will be auctioning it off as unopened on Astromart

I saw that too. A shame. I like my 3.5 standard, but a Duplex would be nice for photographic reasons. Oh well, there's always the used market.

[98105dude]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Toddeo]

I think that person is "Tony" from Astronomy Shoppe.