QUESTAR TRISTAND AND ASTROPIER

Overview The Questar is the world's first, and most portable personal observatory. The three legs furnished with each astronomical Questar 3-1/2 telescope make it a quick and simple matter to travel to almost any point in the world, and then set up the telescope on a table top in an equatorial mode. However, there are some limitations of the tabletop tripod including the fact that one can not always count on finding a table to set the telescope on. Furthermore, there are areas of high and low latitude on Earth where the tabletop tripod is not well suited. And it can be fatiguing to try to work around a telescope on the corner of a table or where it is not conveniently placed. To improve access to the telescope by the customer, and to make it practical to use the Questar even for astrophotography - we offer the Tristand and its taller cousin the Astropier.

Company Seven also offers what is essentially a scaled up version of the Tristand engineered for use with the Questar 7 Fork Mounted telescopes, please enquire.

The Questar family of telescopes and accessories have been made for more than fifty years to industrial degrees of perfection and durability in the U.S.A. It is in keeping with this tradition that the Tristand and Astropier are precisely machined, some might argue "over engineered" (30 to 36 lb. shipping weight!) to provide a lifetime of precise service.

Right: Questar Tristand Telescope Support with optional Questar Duplex Telescope attached. (86,801 bytes).

Construction The construction of the legs, pier and most of the equatorial head is completely of precisely machined 6061-T6 aluminum which is anodized black. The hardware is stainless steel, and the Accessory Tray is made of a lightweight but durable machined synthetic. The machined knurling around each large hand control and the large tripod leg lock handles facilitate handling even when wearing gloves in winter.

Tristand and Astropier Head The Tristand Head is a well thought out platform, this is the same component that is provided with the Tristand and Astropier. The head slips onto the upper end of the machined cylindrical pipe stock, and the head is secured in place with hand knobs so it is easily removed when desired. This head has been engineered to facilitate fine adjustment of the telescope installed atop the Tilt Plate platform by means of geared manual controls of both elevation and azimuth motions. This permits a quick and very accurate Pole Alignment of the telescope, with locks that can be tightened to secure each axis from shifting. The telescope is attached onto the Tilt Plate with the captive 1/4-20 threaded bolt and hand knob.

To allow the attachment of the AC power cord or the cable for the Questar Powerguide II system into the base of a Questar 3-1/2 there is a rectangular cutaway on the Tilt Plate platform. The telescope Drive Base is rotated on the Tilt Plate just prior to torquing the 1/4-20 bolt, aligning the open slot with the female connector in the telescope Drive Base.

The range of fine adjustment in azimuth (left or right) is +-30 degrees from center. The standard latitude range is from 26 to 90 degrees however, an optional Equatorial Wedge permits use from 4 to 64 degrees latitude. Throughout the full range of latitude travel the telescope remains positioned so that its center of gravity remains about constant.

The Tilt Plate incorporates a Latitude Degree Scale with the engraved markings filled in white. The Tristand will work just fine in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres since engraved dual latitude scales are provided; if you click to bring up the close-up image of the Tristand below then you will see this more celarly. The Stand pier does not have to be level to permit Pole Alignment however, for reasons of stability we suggest set up where the ground is reasonably level.

Tristand and Astropier Stand The three cylindrical legs of the Stand are each easily released and rotated to pivot up and parallel to the metal pier. This permits traveling with the Tristand or Astropier in a more compact arrangement.

Left: Tristand with Pier Legs swung back and in for transport. Note carrying handle at about center of pier, Head platform set for latitude of 90 Degrees. The Astropier is basically the same arrangment with a longer pipe Stand section. (41,064 bytes).
Click on the image for enlarged view (295,845 bytes)

This pier Stand is provided with a convenient eyepiece and accessory holder. This fully machined black tray is slipped into place onto the pier, near the Equatorial Wedge, and the tray is easily removed if so desired. The platform is drilled through with holes to accept up to four 1.25" diameter eyepieces and there is extra space to store glasses, filters, other accessories - or a shot glass.

For the ease of transport, the Tristand and Astropier stands incorporate a large carrying handle. This handle (fully machined and black anodized) can accommodate a gloved hand too. Since the compact aluminum Stand is made from thick hollow pipe stock, it is possible to use this empty center space to pack other carefully wrapped equipment within.

Company Seven routinely stocks the Tristand at our Laurel, Maryland showroom. For further information about pricing and availability of these items please contact Company Seven.

QUESTAR ASTROPIER AND TRISTAND OPTIONS

• Tristand Head: may be purchased apart from the Pier by those who intend to attach it onto a permanent post, or with the optional Tilt Plate Adapter attach it onto a suitable third party tripod.
  

• Low Latitude Wedge: installs between Head and Pier to increase useful range of use from 4 to 64 degrees.
  

• Casters: set of three machined Plates and Casters which attach onto the leg tips. Casters are provided with locks.
  

• Leveling Feet: geared screw with hand knobs which install at tip of legs to permit Pier fine leveling adjustment.
  

• Company Seven can provide an alternate height Stand with legs for those who wish to use their Equatorial Wedge when seated or when standing.

TRISTAND SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS
Approx. Eyepiece Height:	41 inches (104 cm)
Stored Height:	26 inches (66 cm)
Standard Latitude Range:	26 to 90 Degrees
Stand Leg Spread Extended:	28 inches (71cm), point to point
Tristand Weight:	15 lbs. (6.8 kg)

SHIPPING DIMENSIONS
Number of packages	Two: Head and Pier/Legs
Package 1 Dimension	13 x 13 x 18 inches (33 x 33 x 45 cm)
Package 2 Dimension	13 x 13 x 31 inches (33 x 33 x 78 cm)
Package 1 Weight:	9 lbs. (4 kg)
Package 2 Weight:	23 lbs. (11 kg)

ASTROPIER SPECIFICATIONS

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

For more information about how to work your way through the decision making process of choosing and specifying a Questar 3-1/2" telescope, the common accessories, and desirable options please feel free to call us or send an E-mail inquiry, or visit our showroom. You may find more help by referring to the articles in our Questar Library section on line.