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The new Kendrick Stargate Observer Tent
The Stargate tent is the best quality Kendrick astronomy tent to date. It's been designed based on feedback on the previous two versions from European customers who wanted a much more robust tent with higher wind resistance. This tent is the most useful accessory for star-parties and astro-camping available, and you can fit a large telescope inside for instance a 14" SCT, with enough space for an imaging station too. (Click images to enlarge). If you like to show guests the views through your scope, there's now more than enough space for people to circulate around the telescope from the front entrance and back out again. These pictures were taken at Kelling Heath Starparty in April 2009 where we set up a TMB 130 F7 Apo on an EQ6 mount. The tent was more than big enough and we had 3-4 people standing around the scope, taking turns at the eyepiece without bumping into each other. If you're an imager, this is a great accessory too. Finally the tent can handle far stronger winds than the previous model, and is extremely tough for a tunnel style tent. From Jim Kendrick: "We feel this tent meets and or exceeds the expectations of our customers for a new Observer tent. We have really gone the extra mile with this product. It's robustness, build quality, ease of use and set-up will make it a pleasure to use and own for many years." New Features:
  • Very high "expedition" quality tent with high strength UV resistant nylon and polyester material. Compare the quality with non-astro tents at this price and size.
  • Larger, wider observing area than the previous tent.
  • Longer overall than the previous tent with more interior space and larger observing room.
  • The highest quality and strength Aluminium poles we could find.
  • Extra strong stitches and taped seams for extra strength and waterproofing.
  • Guy rope attachments on the outer rain-fly.
  • 3 equal length aluminium poles and one shorter length colour coded pole which is less confusing.
  • Tension bands to position the rain-fly quickly and easily after pitching the tent.
  • Additional rear porch area and a front and rear exit.
  • Larger stronger tent bag which is easier to pack.

Ordering information:

Price UK delivered £585 Starparty Season Kickoff Price
AVAILABLE NOW IN STOCK and get a £20 discount at Kelling Heath!
Contact Altair to order now here (Please contact us for European orders too).

Please note, there will be a waiting list, as these tents are made to order, and full payment will need to be made in advance. Delivery time is approximately 2 months.

  

We now have an extension to the rain-fly that creates a vestibule at the end of the tent opposite the observing slot. It extends out about 7' (measured from the ground) and creates a very nice space to sit in to keep out of the sun during the day or to store extra equipment. The porch area window can be sealed by rolling down the cover which zips shut.  (Click image to enlarge).

The Kendrick tent viewed from the side. The tent is considerably bigger than it was in previous incarnations. It's 1 foot (25 cm) wider and, with the vestibule, 6 feet (1.5 meters) longer. The observing room is also 6" higher at its lowest end, making it 6' high. A 6' tall person can comfortably walk from end of the tent to the other without bending over. The higher dimensions also mean larger telescopes can be accommodated inside the tent. (Click image to enlarge).

  
Kendrick Stargate tent specifications:
  • Tent Weight: 40 lbs 18 kg (approx)
  • Size (metric): 455 x 273/318 x 173/200/197cm (L x W x H = inner tent)
  • Size (imperial): 15' x 9'/10.4' x 5.7'/6.6'/6.5' (L x W x H = inner tent)
  • Observing Slot size (metric): 188 cm wide x 198 cm long
  • Observing Slot size (imperial): 6'2" wide x 6'6" long
  • Flysheet over 2000mm Hydrostatic Head* UV Protected
  • Ground Sheet over 2000mm Hydrostatic Head*
  • Poles: 16mm OD, aluminium #6061 T8. shock-corded poles w/alu. High strength 7001 T6 pole insert.
  • Zipper: Genuine YKK #5/#8 polyester R/C zipper
  • 29x Super light weight 7" tent pegs, high strength Aluminium #7075
  • Polypropylene high strength Webbing
  • Polypropylene high strength Guy-ropes
  • Carry bag (slightly larger, therefore easier to pack than most tents)
  • High stress areas have reinforced seams on both Flysheet and Rainfly
  • Reinforced floor seams are also welded for higher waterproofing
  • Mesh Polyester 68D Tricot

* In house hydrostatic water column test results based on the AATCC 127 2003 hydrostatic pressure test method.

 

The above images show the new Stargate tent being field tested at a recent Canadian star party by a Kendrick Customer. The mount is a Paramount ME which is the largest mount available. The Customer loved it! And that was before we increased the size of the observing slot! The new v3 Stargate Tent has an even larger observing room than this prototype, and can easily handle large telescopes and mounts.

  
Tent poles: One pole has a yellow coloured end piece making it easy to distinguish from the other poles. The other poles are now all the same length. The corresponding yellow coloured Cordura peg loop indicates where the yellow ended pole attaches for quick setup. The 4 sets of shock corded poles. As these poles have a wider diameter (16mm) and thicker wall that our previous aluminium poles, it is necessary to give them a slight bend. They are lightweight, but very strong, breaking down into a tidy small package. Colour coding on the pole sleeve makes it easy to identify the correct sleeve to insert the pole, and makes it very easy to orient the tent properly because the tabs are all on the observing-end of the tent.

We now have a very easy to use and secure rain fly clip to connect the rain-fly to the connecting rings around the base of the tent. You no longer need an additional set of tent pegs to secure the rainfly. When you want to roll it back the fly to expose the Observing area, you simply unclip the fly, and then re-clip when you done. Nothing could be easier. In older versions of our tents, the rainfly had to be tied back against the tent pole when it was rolled back to allow for opening of the observing slot. With the STARGATE Kendrick have replaced these with 5 Cordura straps with quick release connectors. This is a much nicer and tidier look. Jim and Luda Kendrick enjoy the view from the porch area below.
     
The new, larger door. There are two doors, one at either end of the tent. Both doors have zip in mosquito netting so you can zip the netting and door at the same time for convenience.

 

The door tie-backs. These are also used for the room divider separating the observing room from the sleeping quarters.

 

The reinforced stress points with extra fabric sewn in. The image also shows the new welded seams. All the floor seams are welded like this for superb waterproofing.

 
The the new guy line points. There are 20 for superb stabilization in high winds. However, Kendrick supplies guy lines for only 10 which is enough for most conditions. Plastic quick- release clips, are also provided which fit extra cinch straps for customers wanting even more wind stability than the guy lines provide. Extra straps need to be sourced by the Customer.
A hanging loop sewn around the ceiling of the tent. There are several, made of a high Cordura, which are  handy for hanging  lights.

 

4 corner cinch-straps are used to tighten up the rain fly after it has been put over the tent. This keeps the rainfly taut. Extra fabric is sewn along the edge of the rainfly for strength.