Meade CaptureView 8X42 2MP Digital Camera Binocular with LCD Screen
By: Meade Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 24
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 On: 2007-10-04
After reading all the negative reviews on this product....I reluctantly took a gamble and guess what!! I got lucky. Everything performed just as advertised. I can only guess tons of others that purchased this binocular and were dissatisfied got lemmons..I LOVE IT !!!!!!
On: 2007-10-03
After reading all the negative reviews on this product....I reluctantly took a gamble and guess what!! I got lucky. Everything performed just as advertised. I can only guess tons of others that purchased this binocular and were dissatisfied got lemmons..I LOVE IT !!!!!!
 On: 2007-07-20
I recently bought this camera new and also own another Meade Binocular 2002 model that I like much better. Fact: Older one is smaller yet takes brilliant pics. Fact: Is not made with cheap plastic.
I paid $79.00 for my 2002 model. Over $130.00 plus S/H. for this mess. This model is large and very poorly made. Cheap plastic. The LCD screen will not stay in place(flops open & shut)....ruining shots.
Where are the parts made may I ask Meade? Who puts them together?
I plead for Meade to do better. Oh I sound like a poet..plead? meade? lol
On: 2007-07-19
I recently bought this camera new and also own another Meade Binocular 2002 model that I like much better. Fact: Older one is smaller yet takes brilliant pics. Fact: Is not made with cheap plastic.
I paid $79.00 for my 2002 model. Over $130.00 plus S/H. for this mess. This model is large and very poorly made. Cheap plastic. The LCD screen will not stay in place(flops open & shut)....ruining shots.
Where are the parts made may I ask Meade? Who puts them together?
I plead for Meade to do better. Oh I sound like a poet..plead? meade? lol
 On: 2007-06-11
Fast delivery and arrived in good condition! This was a gift to someone, so I cant comment on the quality or the functionality of this product and that is why I did not give it 5.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-01-12
Gift for husband. Uses it for work. He carries it with him everywhere.
Photos are taken for reference, not for high-end photo duplication.
Video is very helpful.
Pleased with quality.
On: 2007-01-11
Gift for husband. Uses it for work. He carries it with him everywhere.
Photos are taken for reference, not for high-end photo duplication.
Video is very helpful.
Pleased with quality.
by: blakebennett On: 2006-07-01
I did a lot of research before choosing the Meade CaptureView 8x42 2MP Digital Camera Binocular. This one offers the most for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, the one reason youre probably looking to buy it will be nothing at all like what you were expecting.
As binoculars go, the CaptureView 8x42 works fantastic. Its easy to tune to your own eyesight, its got a sharp, clear field of view, and the zoom level is as good as more expensive pairs Ive looked through.
As a plug-and-play device, its also really good: any computer Ive plugged it into responds quickly, and files are easily accessed. There is software you can also use, but generally I dont have to have it in order to download images.
Ah, but theres the rub: the images. Digital binoculars dont actually use the binocular lenses to take a picture. I imagine theres not a way to easily do this, so the camera in the binoculars uses its own lens. As a result, the camera is really poor. Daytime images at a variety of ranges have come out with a milky white haze. Photoshop doesnt really fix this problem because it permeates the image, as if youre gazing through watery eyes or seeing a corona of white. On images that do not produce a haze, you have pictures about as good as you would see on a typical cellphone camera. Except that in low-light conditions, cellphones take better pictures. After taking picures in low lighting, and looking from darkness into a spotlight, I was amazed at how little light actually came through in the final image: even at a short distance, things that I knew to be brightly lit were blurry, grainy, and sunken in murky darkness.
If you are looking for a great pair of binoculars that you can also use to snap simple pictures while you are on vacation, the Meade CaptureView 8x42 is a good choice. If youre looking for a way to grab telephoto-quality pictures of faraway scenes, this will not live up to your expectations--a decent point-and-shoot digital camera will probably do better, especially in multiple lighting conditions.
On: 2006-06-30
I did a lot of research before choosing the Meade CaptureView 8x42 2MP Digital Camera Binocular. This one offers the most for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, the one reason youre probably looking to buy it will be nothing at all like what you were expecting.
As binoculars go, the CaptureView 8x42 works fantastic. Its easy to tune to your own eyesight, its got a sharp, clear field of view, and the zoom level is as good as more expensive pairs Ive looked through.
As a plug-and-play device, its also really good: any computer Ive plugged it into responds quickly, and files are easily accessed. There is software you can also use, but generally I dont have to have it in order to download images.
Ah, but theres the rub: the images. Digital binoculars dont actually use the binocular lenses to take a picture. I imagine theres not a way to easily do this, so the camera in the binoculars uses its own lens. As a result, the camera is really poor. Daytime images at a variety of ranges have come out with a milky white haze. Photoshop doesnt really fix this problem because it permeates the image, as if youre gazing through watery eyes or seeing a corona of white. On images that do not produce a haze, you have pictures about as good as you would see on a typical cellphone camera. Except that in low-light conditions, cellphones take better pictures. After taking picures in low lighting, and looking from darkness into a spotlight, I was amazed at how little light actually came through in the final image: even at a short distance, things that I knew to be brightly lit were blurry, grainy, and sunken in murky darkness.
If you are looking for a great pair of binoculars that you can also use to snap simple pictures while you are on vacation, the Meade CaptureView 8x42 is a good choice. If youre looking for a way to grab telephoto-quality pictures of faraway scenes, this will not live up to your expectations--a decent point-and-shoot digital camera will probably do better, especially in multiple lighting conditions.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-04-03
The main reason for buying this camera is to be able to take good pictures from far away. The quality is very poor. The unit is very bulky to carry around your neck. The SD card slot has some block in it. I was not able to even insert an SD card. All in all, not satisfied at all.
On: 2006-04-02
The main reason for buying this camera is to be able to take good pictures from far away. The quality is very poor. The unit is very bulky to carry around your neck. The SD card slot has some block in it. I was not able to even insert an SD card. All in all, not satisfied at all.
by: chitwoodstock On: 2006-03-23
The binocs are really nice and sharp, but you can purchase just as good for less.
The eye pieces were difficult to get used to, but for viewing I really like them.
Camera is absolutely disappointing.
I have not taken the first clear image. The shutter is at the top and makes taking a photo quite awkward for someone with small hands.
I tried different cards, in case the write speed was blurring the image.
No difference in quality. I used a prop and snapped a photo, and image was still unclear. Played around with settings and still no good results.
I would not recommend this as a camera AT ALL.
To help with your decision, please view submitted photo. If your needs require better clarity than the submitted photo, think again. This was taken at noon on a cloudy day. 3 Megapixels. Please identify the bird inside the airbrushed red circle.
So, for example: if youre searching for an Ivory Billed Woodpecker, youd better choose more wisely - cause theres no way anyone at Cornell is going to accept this as scientific proof.
Bird in photo is a Red Bellied Woodpecker, which is approx. 9". I am about 70 - 80 feet away. 66 ft is minimum focal distance.
Hope this helps.
On: 2006-03-22
The binocs are really nice and sharp, but you can purchase just as good for less.
The eye pieces were difficult to get used to, but for viewing I really like them.
Camera is absolutely disappointing.
I have not taken the first clear image. The shutter is at the top and makes taking a photo quite awkward for someone with small hands.
I tried different cards, in case the write speed was blurring the image.
No difference in quality. I used a prop and snapped a photo, and image was still unclear. Played around with settings and still no good results.
I would not recommend this as a camera AT ALL.
To help with your decision, please view submitted photo. If your needs require better clarity than the submitted photo, think again. This was taken at noon on a cloudy day. 3 Megapixels. Please identify the bird inside the airbrushed red circle.
So, for example: if youre searching for an Ivory Billed Woodpecker, youd better choose more wisely - cause theres no way anyone at Cornell is going to accept this as scientific proof.
Bird in photo is a Red Bellied Woodpecker, which is approx. 9". I am about 70 - 80 feet away. 66 ft is minimum focal distance.
Hope this helps.
by: jrotherm On: 2005-09-09
I have used this product for a few months now. I like the fact that it uses SD card technology. I simply remove the card and can read the pictures from my card reader. Used it at college football game last weekend and it worked great. I could see close ups of the players and even take some action pictures. It will take a little practice to keep the action shots from blurring but they appear to be working fine. Shots of the band are nice and clear. It would be nice if you could see the actual picture you are taking but that is probably taking the technolgy to a place this price point wont allow.
I also like the way they have a knob that adjusts between people shots and distance shots. Still experimenting to see when to use which adjustment.
Quality has been fine and they appear to be sturdy and waterproof which can be a help when working with them outdoors where binoculars are really designed to be used.
Ill grant that the camera is probably not one that a professional photographer would like but for the price to get the binoculars and the camera together they are a good product and a good bargain.
On: 2005-09-08
I have used this product for a few months now. I like the fact that it uses SD card technology. I simply remove the card and can read the pictures from my card reader. Used it at college football game last weekend and it worked great. I could see close ups of the players and even take some action pictures. It will take a little practice to keep the action shots from blurring but they appear to be working fine. Shots of the band are nice and clear. It would be nice if you could see the actual picture you are taking but that is probably taking the technolgy to a place this price point wont allow.
I also like the way they have a knob that adjusts between people shots and distance shots. Still experimenting to see when to use which adjustment.
Quality has been fine and they appear to be sturdy and waterproof which can be a help when working with them outdoors where binoculars are really designed to be used.
Ill grant that the camera is probably not one that a professional photographer would like but for the price to get the binoculars and the camera together they are a good product and a good bargain.
On: 2005-06-25
The camera is just plain cheap. Takes nothing but fuzzy, low resolution pictures. The thing weighs a ton and even for all that the binoculars are only mediocre. A great idea, maybe someday someone will actually do it right.
On: 2005-06-24
The camera is just plain cheap. Takes nothing but fuzzy, low resolution pictures. The thing weighs a ton and even for all that the binoculars are only mediocre. A great idea, maybe someday someone will actually do it right.
On: 2005-02-13
This is a terrible product: 1. The binoculars are very heavy and awkward to use. 2. The pictures are extremely poor. 3. The company offers poor service and packaged instructions are very brief and insufficient. WA
On: 2005-02-12
This is a terrible product: 1. The binoculars are very heavy and awkward to use. 2. The pictures are extremely poor. 3. The company offers poor service and packaged instructions are very brief and insufficient. WA
On: 2004-07-23
I bought the Meade CaptureView 8X42 1.3MP Digital Camera Binocular. The first one had software / hardware that hung up after 3 pictures, the second one had so many pixels missing from the screen it was unreadable, the third one wouldnt turn on and the black side flashing fell off on removal from the box.
A truely tatty product
by: Anonymous On: 2004-04-26
After reading some mixed reviews I was skeptical, but I wanted the product and no other had as many features. Besides, I figure you get what you pay for and this was the most expensive of the bino/cameras.The bad news first: The item feels somewhat flimsy despite its 11/2 pounds. Its made of plastic; you wouldnt want to drop it. The flip-up LCD screen appears vulnerable on its lightweight hinged base. This base rubs on an internal cable, which may wear, causing future problems. The battery cover fits so loosely I have to hold it in place with a rubber band or the camera turns off. The good news: Most of the plastic (except the battery cover) is heavy duty. The LCD screen can be left down most of the time so its out of harms way. You cant see it in bright light anyway and its only needed for the initial setup and to view pictures. Power is readily maintained with the application of a rubber band to hold the battery cover in place. The binoculars are great. The 2MP images are excellent to my non-professional eye and accurately duplicate the view seen through the binoculars. Resolution is even sufficient for further magnification with photo software. The menu and controls are user friendly. One of the best features is the internal
flash menory, which retains images even if the batteries fail, and the SD slot for expandability. Plug n play means no potentially faulty external drivers. The device is recognized as a hard drive and images can be opened in any photo app.. Im satisfied. Its a keeper!
On: 2004-04-25
After reading some mixed reviews I was skeptical, but I wanted the product and no other had as many features. Besides, I figure you get what you pay for and this was the most expensive of the bino/cameras.The bad news first: The item feels somewhat flimsy despite its 11/2 pounds. Its made of plastic; you wouldnt want to drop it. The flip-up LCD screen appears vulnerable on its lightweight hinged base. This base rubs on an internal cable, which may wear, causing future problems. The battery cover fits so loosely I have to hold it in place with a rubber band or the camera turns off. The good news: Most of the plastic (except the battery cover) is heavy duty. The LCD screen can be left down most of the time so its out of harms way. You cant see it in bright light anyway and its only needed for the initial setup and to view pictures. Power is readily maintained with the application of a rubber band to hold the battery cover in place. The binoculars are great. The 2MP images are excellent to my non-professional eye and accurately duplicate the view seen through the binoculars. Resolution is even sufficient for further magnification with photo software. The menu and controls are user friendly. One of the best features is the internal
flash menory, which retains images even if the batteries fail, and the SD slot for expandability. Plug n play means no potentially faulty external drivers. The device is recognized as a hard drive and images can be opened in any photo app.. Im satisfied. Its a keeper!
On: 2003-12-11
I just got my meade binoculars/digital camera. I believe the binoculars are excellent. The camera part can use some work, but for a product in its infancy, its kind of fun. I am still testing the camera part, but I do believe the price is a little high. The casing is plastic, but it appears to be pretty sturdy. It is also a bit heavier than my celestron binocular/digital camera (with no LCD). Overall, for a little fun and something new it is okay. DEFINITELY, NEEDS TRIPOD CAPABILITY, WHICH THIS ITEM DOES NOT HAVE. IF YOU ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING AN ITEM SUCH AS THIS AND YOU REALLY NEED IT FOR SERIOUS PIX TAKING I WOULD NOT BUY THIS ITEM UNTIL THE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES, BUT IF YOU WANT IT FOR FUN AND THE PRICE GOES DOWN A BIT, THEN GO FOR IT. I AM KEEPING MINE. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ADVANCEMENT IN THIS FIELD.
On: 2003-11-20
I have only used these twice for a total of about 40 pictures. I am sure once I use them more the quality will improve. I was disappointed when I realized that what you see in the binocular is NOT what the picture will be. To frame the picture you must use the LCD screen, which is impossible to see in sunlight. I suggest getting either a good digital camera with high zoom or good binoculars not a combination, until this tecnology improves. The binoculars are very good by themselves.The camera is difficult to use.
On: 2003-11-19
I had high hopes of using this instead of taking a more expensive and bulky camera out to the field in dog field trial events. Pictures are blurry. Videos are blurry. Not user friendly. I am a professional photographer, and I hope that photos that I take will result in identifiable images, so that someone that was not there can tell what it is I photographed. The camera portion does not live up to any reasonable expectations, and, while the binoculars are quite good, the overall weight with the camera make the combination too heavy.
On: 2003-11-18
I had high hopes of using this instead of taking a more expensive and bulky camera out to the field in dog field trial events. Pictures are blurry. Videos are blurry. Not user friendly. I am a professional photographer, and I hope that photos that I take will result in identifiable images, so that someone that was not there can tell what it is I photographed. The camera portion does not live up to any reasonable expectations, and, while the binoculars are quite good, the overall weight with the camera make the combination too heavy.
On: 2003-10-10
The digital camera looks and works cheap. Had to return product.
The battery compartment cover was not engineered properly, and the camera kept shutting down or not turning on at all.
2) Theres no tripod screw!
3) The camera screen is not made well. In direct light you can hardly see the image. And it feels like it will fall off in the near future.
4) No lense covers!
5) The camera case is plastic!
6) Great Binoculars however.
The product is made in China. It shows with the digital camera.
Solid idea in integration of the products. However, engineering needs work for that price.
On: 2003-10-09
The digital camera looks and works cheap. Had to return product.
The battery compartment cover was not engineered properly, and the camera kept shutting down or not turning on at all.
2) Theres no tripod screw!
3) The camera screen is not made well. In direct light you can hardly see the image. And it feels like it will fall off in the near future.
4) No lense covers!
5) The camera case is plastic!
6) Great Binoculars however.
The product is made in China. It shows with the digital camera.
Solid idea in integration of the products. However, engineering needs work for that price.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-26
Get your own instant replay of every play! We added a 256MB SD card and were able to record, replay and save every interesting play in the game, great play or lousy call, I got them all.Very easy to use, high quality product. I was concerned that the unit might not work with my Windows 98 based system, but the included software had a DirectX upgrade that I installed that made my system compatible. The box said Windows 98SE or better was needed but my original Windows 98, not SE, works perfectly. Apparently, newer versions of Windows support the binoculars with no upgrades needed. Excellent still pictures too, but I love the instant replay capability. This new Meade digital binocular is the best digital binocular on the market.
On: 2003-09-13
I received my Amazon/Meade Binocular order the first time with an inoperative video screen. Amazon sent out a replacement the next day. New order arrived, read manual, experimented with photo capabilities, video screen worked and looked great, excited. Then...on/off toggle button stuck, and stays stuck that same day, after only a few hours of use, another serious designer flaw from the factory. Now Im starting to feel cheated. The unit becomes inoperative, looping through boot-up commands, then turning off automatically. Item returned, Im sitting out the next dance. My discoveries...I liked the 3MP capabilities, still shots looked great, video quality is at a lower resolution than expected, camera is separate from binoculars, this is acceptable since the camera has auto-focus. Critique: Eye to binocular contact not as comfortable as some standard binoculars Ive had, manual focus knob on binoculars placed in a strange position, unit is a little bulky. Overall, very user friendly with lots of potential, good luck.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-08
The product is user friendly. I am able to use all features of the binocular without referring to the manual after less than an hour spent reading the manual and becoming familiar with the controls, menus and other features. I am very pleased with my binoculars. They are comfortable and easy to use while viewing a sporting event. I used them for every play while watching a football game and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The binoculars field of view was perfect and I used an SD card to expand memory to allow recording of the entire game. The resulting pictures both still and movies were excellent quality. I am looking forward to using the binoculars at baseball games, for fishing trips and during other outdoor activities.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-05
THE PRODUCT IS USER FRIENDLY. I WAS ABLE TO USE ALL FEATURES COMFORTABLY AFTER LESS THAN AN HOUR SPENT READING THE MANUEL AND BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH THE BINOCULARS! I LOOK FORWARD TO USING MY CAPTURE VIEW BINOCULARS FOR INSTANT REPLAY OF SPORTING EVENTS, FISHING, HUNTING, HIKING AND FOR OTHER ACTION ACTIVITIES ALL OF WHICH ARE PERFECTLY SUITED FOR VIDEO RECORDING AND INSTANT REPLAY.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-05
Finally! Somebody built binoculars with the ability to record full motion video. Very easy to use, the quality is great, ...!!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-05
I took some pictures the first day and they turned out great! 3.0 mp setting is best quality. Amazing how close up pictures turned out clear and crisp. The other reviewers statements about outdoor pictures being bad, HES WRONG they are better or as good as my nikon coolpix 775 2.0 mp. way to go meade!
On: 2003-09-03
Binoculars work great, but not camera. I recently bought this for a sporting event which was indoors and pictures were mostly too dark to see anything, unfortunately I must say outdoor pics were not that great either. Pics need to be taken with plenty of light and steady hands (in which case pics are okay but not for price paid). The software was pretty good (very minor glitches). The screen displays are easy to read and follow. I really liked the idea, but there needs to be more improvement.
On: 2003-09-02
Binoculars work great, but not camera. I recently bought this for a sporting event which was indoors and pictures were mostly too dark to see anything, unfortunately I must say outdoor pics were not that great either. Pics need to be taken with plenty of light and steady hands (in which case pics are okay but not for price paid). The software was pretty good (very minor glitches). The screen displays are easy to read and follow. I really liked the idea, but there needs to be more improvement.
On: 2003-08-17
At least this is the real thing! I purchase the previous Capture View compact from Mead for $$$$....I was so disappointed because its picture quality was little better than a toy. It could not handle low light and the resolution was that of a Barbie Camera (Mattel)! Still I fell in love with the concept of a marriage between the digital camera and the Binocular. I felt that I was taking a real chance here on buying this product, but I figured that with 2MP (Which ...by the way there is a setting for 3MP) it had to be better hten the first CaptureView. I was right (Thank God!) This Digital Binocular really works and with acceptable quality.
I also have a Coolpix 4500, so I figured I would compare how the coolpix 4500 at full digital zoom and the Meade binoculars compared. I focused on a subject of a construction site far on the horizon (Must be a few miles away). As far as Magnification, both the CoolPix 4500 and the Binoculars are about tied. ( So maybe a camera is more versitile in most cases.) But the coolpix pictures at full digital zoom could not stand up to the clarity of the Binoculars picture.
The Binoculars arrived with some smudges on the plastic body casing (Looks like grease, which I had to clean off), There was also a minor scratch on the plastic, but still not worth sending back and complaining since this is not a gift and all I care about is functionality. The body is kind of cheap in appearance but this one has a lot more functionality than the other binocular combos I have seen. One comment though....WHERE ARE THE LENS CAPS??? Geez, you make a quality lens for a binocular and dont include a $ .. lens cap for it....it just does not make sense.
I am satisfied with this product, although I believe that the Digital Binocular is still in its young days, and will improve greatly in the next few years.
I think ypur option to buy this product depends on what you wish to do with it....For taking pictures of objects within a 300ft range, stick with your camera. To get fair to good quality shots at a great distance, this is the ticket. I have not tried making a 90 second AVI movie yet...Ill do that when the weather clears, but I have tried shooting in low light. Since there is no shuttle control, you will not be able to do any astrophotography with this unit ( a bright moon appears washed out...) but it can do low light situations. I could not hold it steady enough to do Mars, although it did show up looking quiet like a bright star in the pic ( Just with a trail since my hand is unsteady..) HINT: The next version needs a tripod mounting screw....
In summary this is a little expensive at $$$$ I think I would like to pay about $$$$ for it. I also feel that the casing could be stronger and a camera is more versitle (Third-party vendors make a zoom lens for the coolpix...I could have gone for that...but I love new technologies so I gave this a try.)
I give this Capture View Binoculars four stars because it meets my expectations of what it should be able to do.
On: 2003-08-16
At least this is the real thing! I purchase the previous Capture View compact from Mead for $$$$....I was so disappointed because its picture quality was little better than a toy. It could not handle low light and the resolution was that of a Barbie Camera (Mattel)! Still I fell in love with the concept of a marriage between the digital camera and the Binocular. I felt that I was taking a real chance here on buying this product, but I figured that with 2MP (Which ...by the way there is a setting for 3MP) it had to be better hten the first CaptureView. I was right (Thank God!) This Digital Binocular really works and with acceptable quality.
I also have a Coolpix 4500, so I figured I would compare how the coolpix 4500 at full digital zoom and the Meade binoculars compared. I focused on a subject of a construction site far on the horizon (Must be a few miles away). As far as Magnification, both the CoolPix 4500 and the Binoculars are about tied. ( So maybe a camera is more versitile in most cases.) But the coolpix pictures at full digital zoom could not stand up to the clarity of the Binoculars picture.
The Binoculars arrived with some smudges on the plastic body casing (Looks like grease, which I had to clean off), There was also a minor scratch on the plastic, but still not worth sending back and complaining since this is not a gift and all I care about is functionality. The body is kind of cheap in appearance but this one has a lot more functionality than the other binocular combos I have seen. One comment though....WHERE ARE THE LENS CAPS??? Geez, you make a quality lens for a binocular and dont include a $ .. lens cap for it....it just does not make sense.
I am satisfied with this product, although I believe that the Digital Binocular is still in its young days, and will improve greatly in the next few years.
I think ypur option to buy this product depends on what you wish to do with it....For taking pictures of objects within a 300ft range, stick with your camera. To get fair to good quality shots at a great distance, this is the ticket. I have not tried making a 90 second AVI movie yet...Ill do that when the weather clears, but I have tried shooting in low light. Since there is no shuttle control, you will not be able to do any astrophotography with this unit ( a bright moon appears washed out...) but it can do low light situations. I could not hold it steady enough to do Mars, although it did show up looking quiet like a bright star in the pic ( Just with a trail since my hand is unsteady..) HINT: The next version needs a tripod mounting screw....
In summary this is a little expensive at $$$$ I think I would like to pay about $$$$ for it. I also feel that the casing could be stronger and a camera is more versitle (Third-party vendors make a zoom lens for the coolpix...I could have gone for that...but I love new technologies so I gave this a try.)
I give this Capture View Binoculars four stars because it meets my expectations of what it should be able to do.
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