Q1: Can the 9x63 be effectively used without a tripod? Please elaborate.

A: Yes! It sure can. This binocular is very popular for land and sky observation. It can be used with or without the tripod. Granted, it is a large binocular, but its still manageable as a hand-held binocular

Q2: Will I be able to see galaxies and nebulae with this binocular? I appreciate the wide field of view it has, but would it be better to have a larger objective lens to start out with? What would be the largest objective lens that one can hand hold without a tripod? I am just starting out and I am not sure which size to get. Does this binocular come with a tripod adaptor included? Thanks, Sal

A: no this binocular does not come with a Tripod adapter. As for the Size of the objective lens you can hand hold, it depends on how strong you are. What causes the image to be jittery (where you would want a tripod) is the Magnification the higher the magnification the more you need a tripod. The bigger the objective lenses though the bigger and brighter the image in the binocular.

Q3: are these roof or porro prism binoculars?

A: These binoculars are Porro Prism.

Q4: Can i get a tripod that will fit on my new purchase of TravelView 9X63 Binoculars, if the

A: answer is yes could you let me know what I need to purchase. Thank you very much, Andy Dyer. Actually any standard photographic tripod will work with the 9x63 binoculars. you will however need a a binocular tripod adapter or L mount as they are sometimes called. Any standard adapter will work i suggest the Zhumell L Mount Tripod Adapter model #TL135AB

Q5: IS it possible to order these 9x63 binoculars from Portugal? How about mailling expenses? Thank you very much Jacinto Castanho

A: I am sorry but we are not allowed to ship Meade products outside of the US. Our dealer agreement with them forbids us from doing so due to the fluctuation of international currencies.

Q6: In the product specifications these binoculars are listed as roof but in the Q & A section the response to the question is "Thsy are porro" Which is correct and whsat are the differenhces between roof and porro binoculars? Thanks.

A: They're actually roof prisms. Binoculars use prisms to provide a correctly oriented image. Without prisms, binos would always produce reversed, upside down images. Porro prisms are quite wide; hence the binoculars that use them are comparatively bulky and have eyepieces offset from the barrels. Roof prism binoculars utilize both narrow prisms and mirrors to re-orient the images. The optical elements are more compact than porro prisms, allowing the binoculars to have a "straight-through" configuration. Because the roof prisms employ mirrors, however, there is some built-in light loss. And the optics are more difficult to align in roof prism models.

Q7: I am an inexperienced astronomical observer. As your 9x63 binoculars are not waterproof, will temperature changes produce condensation within the instrument.

A: Hi Chris, Waterproofing does not really determine whether or not condensation will occur inside of the binocular chassis. As you already mentioned, temperature change is the main factor. Waterproof binoculars can fog up just as easily. Bringing the binoculars from a cooler environment into a warmer environment - will cause fogging. Or if a the air becomes cooler when the binocular is warm - this can sometimes cause it as well. (usually it's the other way around though). The only way to guarantee your binocular will not fog is to have a binocular that is "Nitrogen purged" - this keeps the inside from fogging.