Meade CaptureView Binoculars Product Review

3.2MP Waterproof Digital Camera and 8x30 Binocular, “Binoculars That Take Pictures”

Cost: $299 List Price, $199 Internet Pricing, I bought for $70.00 on Manager’s Special at Radio Shack.

Summary Specifications:

1. Weight: 18.6 oz. 
2. Size: Mid Size Binoculars 
3. Waterproof: Yes 
4. Features: Waterproof 
5. Magnification: 8x 
6. Brand: Meade 
7. Objective Lens Diameter: 30mm 
8. Field of View @ 1000 Yards: 367 ft. 
9. Exit Pupil: 3.75mm 
10. Binoculars Series: CaptureView Digital Camera Binoculars 
11. Prism Type: Roof Prism Binoculars 

Bottom line: Unsatisfactory for wildlife viewing and photography. I would absolutely not recommend this product, regardless of the price.

I was so excited to get home and open the box. Packaging was professional, directions were simple, camera functions are pretty obvious, and all the cables, neck strap, belt carrying case and software were in the box.

Then I got out in the field to watch a whitetail doe and two fawns come in to the feeder and my excitement turned to sadness.

Bad Points:

1. The camera function is separate from the binocular optics, so really it is just a 3.2 MP camera with no special features built on top of a set of 8x30 binoculars that are not that great of quality.
2. The battery case and memory card are behind a cover that claims to be waterproof, but the closing mechanism feels very fragile and plastic. It would be just a matter of months in the field and I can see it breaking off. If it isn’t there, the batteries literally would fall on the ground. In fact, you can’t open the camera to get out the memory stick without holding the camera facing down or the batteries fall in the dirt (which happened to me).
3. Like standard binoculars, you adjust the left eye focus and then fine tune the right eye focus. However, the left eye focus seems very low quality. I have 20/15 vision and couldn’t get a clear picture out of my left eye. This never causes me trouble with other binoculars.
4. The “shutter” button is in an awkard location and the design of the button requires you to push pretty hard, which create shake/wobble at the moment you take the picture, resulting in a fuzzy picture.
5. The processor that saves the image seems very slow. It takes literally about 2 seconds to “grab” the photo. This is probably causing the fuzzy picture also because it is capturing the movement.
6. There is no zoom in/out of the camera. At least since it is a different optic device than the binoculars, I would have expected a zoom feature.

Good Points:

1. The “Flashback Feature” that allows you to capture the preceeding events you are watching is very cool.
2. How you interact with the camera, the user interface, is simple and clear.
3. ALL OF THE CRITICISMS ABOVE ARE EASY TO FIX IN A NEXT GENERATION DESIGN.
4. The idea, just the idea, is awesome. If Meade or someone else made a camera that has the quality behind the creativity, this would be something I would carry in my hunting bag always.

To Summarize:

I feel like I bought a cheap knock off of a Leatherman with all the tools of the Leatherman, and the first time I used the pliers in the field, the entire tool just broke in my hand. I really hope Meade comes out with a new and improved version of this product. I have watched this product for over two years and was so excited to finally get one and so frustrated at the products performance in the field.

Meade is obviously known high quality products in other industries. They have a photo gallery on their website and if these photos are real, they must have been taken from a tripod and then the software used to “clean up” the photos. Here is the link: http://www.meade.com/captureview/closeups/boat.html

Meade CaptureView Binocular Product Features:

1. Color LCD Screen: View images immediately on the built in Color LCD screen. Keep what you want, discard what you don't.
2. 8x30 Waterproof Binocular: Full-function, waterproof binocular with fully coated optics for clear, sharp images. Full 8X magnification brings objects closer.
3. True 3.2 MegaPixel Waterproof Digital Camera: 3.2 Megapixel waterproof digital camera with built-in 32MB memory (16MB Flash/16MB SDRAM). Interpolates to 4.0 Megapixel.
4. New Micron Sensor: The new Micron sensor allows you to use your CaptureView in dim conditions. Take photos in a concert hall, at the opera, the night game or any indoor venue. The Micron sensor uses technology originally developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It's a Meade exclusive.
5. 32MB Built in Memory (16MB Flash/16MB SDRAM): Stores up to 20 pictures with resolution of 2048 x 1536, 18 pictures at 4.0 Megapixel (2272 x 1704) interpolated resolution, or 90 seconds of video.
6. Flashback: Flashback Video Instant Replay feature captures the last 10 seconds of live action (5-20 seconds, user programmable). View the play of the game immediately after it happens on the color LCD screen.
7. Plug and Play: No drivers required to download images (Windows ME/2000/XP). Drivers included on CD-ROM for Windows 98 SE.
8. SD Card Port: Increase memory using an SD Card. Great for vacationing where more memory means more pictures.
9. Ulead CD-ROM included: Image-processing software allows you to edit, sort and create panoramas from your snapshots.

Meade CaptureView Binocular Product Specifications:

Binoculars Specifications

1. 8X magnification
2. 30mm objective-lens diameter
3. Folding roof-prism design
4. Fully-coated optics
5. Waterproof
6. Close Focus - 16 feet
7. Field of View - 367 ft @ 1000 yards

Digital Camera Specifications

1. Resolution - High 2048x1536 (3.2MP) - 1600x1200 (2.0MP) - (4.0 MP with Software Interpolation) - Medium: 1280x1024 (1.3MP) - Low: 640x480 (VGA) - 24bit color
2. Internal Memory - 16MB Flash / 16MB SDRAM
3. Internal Image Capacity - Minimum 20 images (3.2MP), 40 images (2.0MP), 18 images (4.0MP with software interpolation), 70 imags (1280x1024), 140 images (640x480)
4. Internal Video Capacity - Up to 90 seconds @ QVGA (320x240)
5. SD/MMC Memory Card - User Supplied (if you would like to add more memory for more images)
6. Aperture - f4.0 Fixed Lens
7. Angle of View (diagonal) 7.9 Degrees
8. Variable Focus - Near 30-66ft / Far 66ft to infinity
9. Display - 1.5" Color LCD
10. Interface Type – USB
11. Waterproof – Yes
12. Battery (User Supplied) - 2 x AAA
13. Minimum System Requirements - IBM compatible, 32MB RAM or higher, Pentium II 266Mhz or faster (Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP), 200MB free hard disk space, CD-ROM Drive

Product Also Includes:

1. USB cable
2. CD-ROM with image-editing software
3. Instructions
4. Neck strap
5. Cleaning cloth
6. Carrying case

by Jason Parrish
Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

Images and Files: View all 10 photos / videos here.