Company Seven | Questar Telescopes Index Page

Questar Conventional Telescopes

For a good overview of the decision making process of buying a Questar, we suggest you read our article Selecting an Astronomical Questar Telescope. While this is geared more towards the astronomical 3-½ inch models, there are good explanations of the various configurations, and explanations of the major optical and accessory choices which apply to most other consumer models (Birding, and the larger 7 inch models).

Questar Standard telescope (below) was delivered new on 24 December 2024 to the owner of Company Seven; he is a firm believer in the handiness and great performance properties of these telescopes.

The origins of this particular instrument date back to late 2023, the goal being to craft a practical new Questar 3-½ telescope that incorporates aspects that appeal most to the intended owner's sensibilities. Its production was coordinated between Cumberland Optics formerly of Marlow Heights in Maryland, Questar Corporation of New Hope, and Company Seven's facilities. The telescope employs new optics, and with some components furnished from Company Seven's inventory of new parts and with some of these originating several decades ago. Company Seven remains dedicated to support our customers and occasionally provide restoration services for museums, even helping Questar Corp. to complete a new 3-½ Pyrex (actually a newer, similar primary mirror material) telescope in November 2024, hence we retain old new stock or we may even fabricate some duplicate items.

The main optics set was fabricated by Cumberland Optics, then certified by ZYGO laser interferometer on 20 December 2023. Most of the remaining components were sent to Questar Corp. so the telescope was mostly in-hand there by late in May 2024. Accessory items assigned at Company Seven from stock included: the Powerguide I, telescope fitted leather-covered carry Case, optional protective Case Cover (devised by C7 working with Questar Corp.), full-aperture Solar Filter, Aperture Stop, lightweight phenolic and alloy Lens Cover, and more to complete the basic accessory set. However, some aspects performed at Questar Corp. had to be reworked in order to pass Company Seven's stringent quality assurance testing (not unprecedented as our Questar 3-½ testing checklist lists mandates more than 150 items be inspected or tested!), so the telescope was completed only in December 2024. Then it was delivered to Company Seven for final cleaning of optics, again underwent routine acceptance testing and upon passing, documentation.

This telescope exhibits several differences from production Questar Standard instruments; the serial number is uncommon and reflects this was the last new Questar instrument completed in 2024. The interior of the telescope's cylindrical polished Base reflects another special gift from the “Old Guard“, as the owner of Company Seven referred to they who were still working at Questar Corporation of New Hope early in 2024. It was not until January, after the holidays break, when Martin was able to thank those at New Hope for this. The next new Questar 3-½ to be completed, actually well underway before this Standard was delivered, will likely be delivered by Company Seven in about Spring 2025.

Questar Standard telescope completed 24 Dec 2024 (64,473 bytes)

Questar Standard completed 24 Dec 2024 (64,473 bytes)

Questar Standard telescope with case (58,760 bytes)

Questar Standard telescope base plate with Powerguide I drive (81,697 bytes)

Base plate with Powerguide I drive, and that meaningful C7 acceptance label (81,697 bytes)