Product Description
Featuring a full-color LCD screen and the added ability to control a Meade computerized telescope, MySky is a fun, interactive, multi-media, hand-held guide to the universe that locates and identifies celestial objects in the night sky. MySky aligns itself by pointing it at a celestial object and pull the trigger to identify planets, stars, nebula, galaxies and more with over 30,000 objects. Your exploration starts with a simple video introduction of how to use MySky. Real-time, Color SkyMaps Guide you to the objects you want to locate. Sandy Wood, the familiar voice of StarDate the syndicated daily radio program, provides you with audio descriptions of the objects you have found. MySky also takes you on guided tours of the best objects in your sky tailored to your time, date and location. Positioning Electronic accelerometers to determine pointing Power save features - Advanced power saving features to extend battery life 4 AA batteries required (not included) Battery Life - Up to 7 hours Just point and shoot to identify planets, stars, constellations and more See images, watch video and hear audio descriptions Take guided tours of the night sky Simple controls that are intuitive and easy to use MySky incorporates full GPS Auto Alignment, which does not require any user input MySky provides information to the user in true multi-media formats - Video, Audio, Still Images, Sky Maps and text Updated object information, tours and program improvements downloadable from the Internet Control your Meade computerized telescope
Customer Reviews:
Waste of money - extremely poor quality!!.......2007-12-27
Switches on my first Mysky failed on arrival, then unit failed. Meade replaced it promptly. I sold the replacement on Ebay, and a switch broke for the buyer within 2 weeks. Very poor quality Chinese construction; there is no way this could stand up to even light use in an observing field environment. I bought it originally to drive my Meade LXD75 telescope mount but decided there was no way it could last in this application. Too bad, because the concept is great.
does not work.......2007-12-20
Has never acquired a gps fix. Cant identify or locate the moon. Batteries go dead overnight with unit off. Meade customer service is not helpful.
defective GPS system - location not lockin in.......2007-12-07
I received a defective item from Amazon - have requested refund - lets see how it goes
FANTASTIC device right out of the box!.......2007-11-21
WOW.
I put the batteries in, placed it on a level surface to get orientation, waited 6 minutes for the GPS to find me, pointed at the waxing gibbous moon, and...GUESS WHAT?
It told me I was looking at the moon...in the waxing gibbous phase.
If you love your children, if you love the night sky, if you want to have evening activities that stimulate the mind.
GET THIS.
OK...so I am sitting in the hot tub, I point it at Vega...it tells me its Vega...did you know that Vega was the first star to be photographed? The device told me and now we BOTH know!
SIMPLY FANTASTIC. It will bring you delight.
Do not, under ant circumstances, read the bad reviews on this product; these ar cursed people who have cell phones issues (all the time), buy electronic devices they don't need or use, and want every screen to look as clear and crisp as their Ipods do. Yawn; I am bored with them.
WORTH EVERY PENNY. Sell your hair (sorry Magi reference..I digress).
Waste of Money!.......2007-11-08
Mine was bad out of the box too. Has been back to Meade for OVER a month now and every time I call Meade they say "We'll get that shipped out to you tomorrow". I had problems with my Celestron SkyScout when I first got it but Celestron got it back to me in about a week and it's been GREAT since then. Save your money and buy a SkyScout from Celestron and avoid Meade. I know I will from now on and I own several of thier scopes.
Product Description
Bring the world up close and capture what you see with digital images or video clips. A built-in digital camera makes this binocular an excellent choice for sporting events, nature watching, sightseeing and more. Plus, the special Flashback™ video mode allows you to save the last 10 seconds from any given recording (SD memory card required).
Binocular Features:
- 8x magnification
- 30mm lens diamter
- 367 ft. at 1,000 yards field-of-view
- 16.4 ft. close focus
- Folding roof prism
- Fully coated optics
Digital Camera Features:
- 1.3-megapixel digital camera
- Save up to 12 pictures in high-res mode (1280x1024), 40 pictures in low-res mode (640x480) or 30 seconds of video (320x240)
- 16MB of internal memory
- Flashback video mode saves the last 10 seconds of recording
- SD memory card port
- Image-editing software
- USB cable
- Carrying case
- 64MB RAM or higher, Pentium® II, 266MHz or faster (Windows® 98SE/2000/ME/XP)
- 200MB free hard disk space
- CD-ROM drive
- Care Instructions: Wipe lens with a soft cloth
- Windows 98ME or above; 64 MB Ram; 600 MB free space; requires video card w/ 2 MB Ram; 200 MHZ or faster; 4X CD-Rom drive; USB Port
- 1 year manufacturer's warranty
This tremendously versatile binocular/digital camera features 16 megabytes of memory and includes image-editing software on CD-ROM. Capture, download, print or email your images. It's that easy to use – and that easy to enjoy!
Customer Reviews:
awful item, amazon has awful service - beware!.......2006-03-17
I ordered this item as a gift and it wouldn't take any pictures. Very disappointing. I tried to contact customer service here at amazon, and was promised to have a box out to return the item, but now, a couple months later, I have not received any way to return the item and amazon will not return my emails!!!! I am so dissapointed with this shopping experience and now have a broken item AND an extended warranty I purchased. Think twice about shopping through this site!!!
Stay away.......2004-04-27
The first camera died the day after Christmas. The second lasted four months longer, but only because we didn't use it in the interim. The problem was the same in both cases: for no apparent reason, the camera fails to turn on.
Gave it as a Christmas present didn't work.......2004-01-31
Not good a waste of money it didn't work. No power went to the camera so it did not work. Son in Law took it on Vacation useless.
Capture View.......2004-01-09
Instructions very poor. For exam ple, instr. do not tell you that batteries must be in camera and camera must be "on" in order to download to PC. Also not told that if you take batteries out ,will lose any pictures still in camera. Maybe this is elemenetary to a camera buff but not to a novice like myself.
Battery contacts in battery compartment not well designed or installed. Hard to make contact to activate camera.One spring terminal was "bent" when I got camera and had to be straightened to get battery in. Sometimes batteries will make contact and sometimes not.
Judging by the few pictures that I have been able to view, picture quality seems to be good, however.
I'd like a replacement but not sure how to expediently accomplish this.
An item to avoid.......2004-01-04
The Meade CaptureView has two features that should annoy most of us. First of all, it is powered by two AA batteries, but claims to be unable to prevent the batteries from discharging and harming the device if the batteries are left in while the device is off.
Secondly, its USB interface is apparently a version of the USB mass storage standard altered to prevent it from working with anything but Microsoft operating systems. For a company one often associates with scientific interests, active discrimination against users of Mac and unix seems unwarranted.
Product Description
This tremendously versatile 8x22 compact binocular with it's integrated 640x480 resolution digital camera is perfect for anyone who wants to view all the action up-close, and capture it digitally as well. The built-in digital camera captures what you see in the 8-power view of the binocular.
Amazon.com Product Description
Camera and binoculars in one: This tremendously versatile 8x22 compact binocular with its integrated 640x480 resolution digital camera is perfect for anyone who wants to view all the action up-close, and capture it digitally as well. The built-in digital camera captures what you see in the 8-power view of the binocular.
Features include:
- Fully coated optics.
- 8MB of internal memory.
- Optimum imaging range from 49' to infinity.
- Capture up to 40 images at the full .3 megapixel resolution. More images can be stored at the lower resolution setting.
- Standard equipment includes: USB cable; carry case; neck strap; cleaning cloth; complete instructions; CD-ROM with image-editing and archiving software.
FAQs
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What can I view with my CaptureView Binoculars?
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USB port for easy PC connectivity |
Use your CaptureView Binoculars for Sporting Events, Bird-watching, Public Events, viewing wildlife. Anything you would use a standard pair of binoculars for, the CaptureView will see and give you the added advantage of capturing the image.
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Can I take pictures in cold weather?
Your CaptureView Binocular is rated to be used from 41F - 104F (5 to 40C), 20%-85% relative humidity, non-condensing. Using your camera in below freezing tempertures may not allow the camera to function normally,
and may cause the batteries to lose their charge more quickly.
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Can I use other programs to manipulate my images? Can I use them to download images from my Camera?
You can use your other photo imaging programs to manipulate your images. The CaptureView binoculars will have no trouble downloading images to other software.
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How do I focus the Camera?
The camera will be in focus no matter whether the image is in or out of focus for your eyes. The range for the CaptureView binoculars is from 49 feet to Infinity for photography. The Binoculars will focus on objects 16.4 feet away, but for effective use of the camera, take pictures of objects from 49 feet to Infinity.
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How many images will it hold?
The CaptureView 8x22 Digital Camera Binocular will hold up to 40 high resolution images on the VHI resolution mode (640x480). The CaptureView will hold 100 images on the LO resolution mode (320x240).
The Nuts and Bolts
- Diopter Knob (on underside)
- Center Focus Knob
- Objective Lens
- Power/ModeButton
- Shutter/Select Button
- USB Port
- Eyepiece
- Camera Lens
- LCD Screen
- Battery Compartment Lid
- Barrel
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Customer Reviews:
SAD.......2004-06-13
Internal timer with no controls? No 'OFF' switch. Turn it and take pics...great. As long as you keep taking pics all is well.If you loose track of the 2 minute window..it turns off! RATS No way to extend the 2 minutes? Looking thru binocs you have no hint (is the camera on or off?)
PROBLEMS:
1) Internal timer-that can be fixed with a firmware download but if you extend the timer to 30 minutes..ya can't turn it off.Well you can by removing the battery cover. And that's another problem.
2) plastic battery cover.A toy .Not long for this world
3)no cover for memory slot or USB port or lens covers (5)
4) Beeper? What beeper? I can't hear any beeper.
5) Battery labels? + and - are confusing for first time
Just turned it on,took one picture..it turned off. Turn it on, take another picture,set it on the counter..it turned off??????
Grrrrrrrrr
Disappointed - disgusted.......2003-09-08
Received as a gift, tried first time at a full daylight baseball game. Camera auto-shutoff between pitches makes it impossible to get quick action shots. Difficult to retrieve the photos, due to the poor driver software that locks up your PC, requires disconnecting other USB devices. Defective photos: images have jagged horizontal lines in neon colors bisecting the middle (where the interesting part of the photo should be). The (partial) images below the jagged horizontal lines have incorrect colors - baseball fields are not deep purple! I'm sorry I wasted my time with it.
Not sure I like it yet.......2003-08-26
I opened the box and installed (or tried to install) the software for this piece of equipment, and found that the software loaded ok, the driver installed properly, but the Tutorial WOULD NOT RUN. I am VERY disappointed in the documentation (instructions for the software and technical info for the camera/binocs)! As another reviewer stated, the thing shuts off after 10 seconds of non-use - a pain in the neck when you are out 'birding' and trying to catch the perfect shot - and that is NOT DOCUMENTED anywhere!
I will keep trying with this...I have a trip coming up and plan to take my REAL camera, too. I am sure the technology on these things will get better. I hope to contact Meade and let them know how disappointed I am.
A good camera.......2003-06-07
This camera is excellent for birdwatching & catching those great shots. The perfect picture is about 16 feet from you- I have taken some prize winning photos with mine.
It is fixed focus and takes some time to learn to perfect your technique- but by and all I am pleased with the price and the product. My boyfriend also bought one and we enjoy taking pictures together and comparing.
A good product- a good price.
Shame on Meade..........2003-05-10
Thank goodness I [paid less], although I don't like throwing away any amount of money. Oh Capture View, how do I dislike thee? Let me count the ways:
1. Binocs cannot be adjusted for someone like me with fairly close eye spacing--camera is in the way, so I cannot fuse left/right images. Duh!!
2. The on/off/shutter buttons are prominent and thus easy to accidentally press...of course this is why the [people] who designed this thing have it automatically shut off after 10 seconds of idling (unbelievable!!). This latter attractive behavior is not (that I could find) mentioned in the instructions.
3. The quality of the pics at "hi-res" is terrible---the product is just [not good] in this regard. Even resting on a support to prevent motion the pics are of such lousy clarity that they are practically useless. My regular digicam at 640/480 produces vastly better images. In fact, holding my digicam up against the eyepiece of my regular binocs and shooting thru the binocs gives much better pics than the Meade pics. This is my big disappointment with the device...I had hoped to get nice hawk pics, but I see it is virtually useless for a subject with any detail at all.
4. The need to reboot the computer after disconnecting the camera, before re-connecting it. Huh?? This makes the USB hot-swap feature useless.
Oh well...whaddaya want for [money]?? My sincerest condolences to those who wasted [more than] that.
Shame on Meade for putting their name on this piece of... And shame on them for absurdly hyping it in their ad copy.
Product Description
This electronic eyepiece can be used with virtually any telescope to show you real-time live black and white images of the Moon, planets, stars, and daytime terrestrial objects on your television screen. Just connect the supplied cable to the yellow-colored Video-in port of your TV set, VCR, or camcorder. The Electronic Eyepiece has a 320 x 240 pixel CMOS monochrome imaging sensor. Barrels are included to allow you to fit the eyepiece into either 0.965" or 1.25" focuser sleeves. The eyepiece includes a 6 ft. cable and is powered by a (user-supplied) 9-volt battery that fits neatly inside the eyepiece housing. A built-in control permits contrast adjustment of the image. The Electronic Eyepiece is perhaps the largest-selling product of its type ever developed. Tens of thousands of Meade #902 Electronic Eyepieces are now in use in telescopes ranging from 60mm refractors to 12" Schmidt-Cassegrains
Customer Reviews:
Exploration is fun...........2007-09-25
But not when it comes to locating information omitted from an instruction manual. The expected image I saw of the moon through my 9mm lens initiated the search. I should have came here first, because it would have saved me a lot of time - as would Meade mentioning somewhere on the box or in the manual that this was a 4mm eyepiece.
So now I know I need a reducer for decent lunar observation. Since they failed to mention the mm of this eyepiece, it should come as no surprise that Meade also fails to mention the use of filters with this eyepiece - neutral density or variable polarizers (which is nice to have for lunar observation), or Light Pollution/Broadband filters for deep-space observation (which is a must-have if you live in/near the city).
You may very well be able to see some deep space objects using this eyepiece with the proper filter - I have no clue yet. I was planning on purchasing filters anyway, so I'll update this review with an answer to those questions....
Almost perfect device.......2007-01-10
I used this Electronic Eyepiece to make some movies of the Mercury Transit in 2006, and it did that very well with my Coronado PST and Konusmotor 500/Thousand Oaks White Light filter. However, I had to hook this up to my VCR to make the movie using a twenty foot long coaxial cable with RCA adapters. I had really planned on connecting it to my Sony Camcorder so I could have a lot of mobility, but the Camcorder and eyepiece simply cannot work together. It does work well with my VCRs and televisions, though.
It was worth the price, but don't expect ccd performance.......2006-08-07
Having read the reviews of others prior to purchasing my electronic eyepiece, I did not expect too much from it. But for the price I paid, I would buy it again. My main dislike is the apparent focal length. It is the equivalent of about a 4mm lens. I live in a major metropolitan area with lots of haze and light pollution, a 4mm optical lens is of questionable value. The electronics makes it worst. I can see earth's moon pretty well, but only the brightest two of Jupiter's four visible moons. Forget about seeing dim stars or deep space objects.
I am relatively new to astronomy. I have two point and look refractors, a 350mm and a 700mm. I tried the Meade Electronic Eyepiece in both. The 700mm results in too much magnification. The eyepiece works better with the 350mm, but images go completely across the TV screen in about 40 seconds, resulting in a slight smearing as they move.
A control to increase the focal length would have made this eyepiece more usable. It also needs to be used on a telescope that tracks. I have now ordered such a telescope, which is costing me far more than the electronic eyepiece did in the first place.
Excellent product with alot of potential.......2005-07-08
I bought this product on sale for $39.00 at a local camera store after reading the reviews on this page. This was after I also bought an Orion Electronic eyepiece the week before. One thing that makes this eyepiece infinetly better than the Orion eyepiece is the fact that it is threaded for filters (or stacking of multiple filters) whereas the Orion eyepiece is not. Using it on my 6" reflector, I first tried it with a white light solar filter. The view was crisp as I expected on both the Meade and the Orion eyepiece. The Meade eyepiece is alittle larger than the Orion eyepiece (4mm vs. Orion's 3.8mm) but it is not really too noticeable. Viewing the moon at gibbous phase and the contrast tweaked, the view was also crisp and defined in both eyepieces. I finally tried it on Jupiter. Here is where the difference between the Orion eyepiece and the Meade eyepiece was most pronounced. Because the Orion eyepiece is not threaded, Jupiter came out completely whitewashed, even when the contrast was completely tweaked. Because the Meade eyepiece is able to be used with a filter, I placed a Baader's Planetary Contrast Booster on it. The 2 cloud belts at the equator were visible on my 20" TV as a monitor. Also visible were the 4 moons at the same setting. When used with a video card tied in to a pc, a person can frame-grab and have their own "poor man's" version of a CCD picture. Using this method, suprisingly good pictures that rival much higher priced CCD's may be achieved. This eyepiece in my opinion is well worth the price (even if you don't get it on sale) and has alot of potential when used with a video card. Just remeber to buy some extension cords and adapters for the RCA cables.
great addition to any telescope.......2002-10-27
This eyepiece is quite nice. I tried it out and was amazed at the results. I use it on a six inch reflecting telescope. I used it first on the best target in the night sky, the Moon. It looked as though I was looking through a window on an apollo capsule orbiting the moon. I am not kidding. It was great. I then moved over to Saturn. I could clearly see the rings and bands of clouds. This item is worth the cost!
Product Description
Imagine the astronomical adventures you can have when you add the power of your computer to your Meade telescope! This set combines powerful astronomy software with a Lunar Planetary Imager camera to let you explore space - and capture amazing images of the celestial phenomena you see.
Autostar Suite Software:
- Sophisticated planetarium program with over 19 million objects
- Select an object and your telescope automatically slews to it
- Control all functions from your PC
- Talking telescope software translates text to synthesized speech
- Control your telescope remotely over the Internet
- Create custom astro-tours
Lunar Planetary Imager Camera:
- Creates high-quality lunar and planetary images
- Easy to use, real-time display of object on PC screen
- Just center, focus and shoot
- Magic Eye software-assisted focusing
- Exposure control from .001 to 15 seconds
- Automatically takes multiple exposures
- Automatically selects best images
- Automatically aligns multiple images and combines them into one superior image
- 1 year manufacturer's warranty
Everything you need to get started is included, from cables to software. And, to keep your software current, an online updater keeps track of the latest comets, minor planets, satellites, tours and firmware over the Internet.
Minimum system requirements: Windows 98SE with 64 MB and 100MB free disk space.
Amazon.com Review
Digital imaging has revolutionized astrophotography the last few years. Now Meade's Autostar Suite with Lunar and Planetary Imager (LPI) puts digital imaging within the reach of just about anyone with a telescope and a personal computer.
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A practice image taken with the Autostar Suite with Lunar and Planetary Imager. |
Autostar Suite with Lunar and Planetary Imager combines hardware and software in one small package that is powerful but easy to use. The manual, which comes in PDF format on the program disk, recommends beginning with daylight images to get familiar with operating the imaging system. This is good advice. Using a Firstscope 90 refractor, I found I could get some nice snap shots of hummingbirds at a nearby feeder.
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The LPI's real-time display allows for more accurate low-light exposures. |
The LPI feature I like the most is real-time control of the exposure setting. Real-time display literally takes the guesswork out of adjusting focus and exposure times. I tested the LPI system by using my eight-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and 2x Ultima Barlow to photograph Jupiter and Saturn. Sunlight reaching Saturn, for example, is only one percent as bright as sunlight here on Earth. By increasing my exposure time and letting Autostar Suite automatically align and combine the best images, the Lunar and Planetary Imager easily brought out detail like the Cassini division in Saturns rings and cloud bands on the planet itself. When I turned my telescope to Jupiter, I was able to reduce the exposure time and still see Jupiter's moons.
The Lunar and Planetary Imager is based on affordable Web-cam technology, but it has been redesigned and optimized for use with a telescope. The LPI acts like an electronic eyepiece and is designed to fit standard 1.25-inch eyepiece holders. The LPI simply connects to a PC with an included USB cable, but the cable is only about five feet long. The Autostar Suite package includes a number of special features. The "par-focalizing" ring allowed me to use an eyepiece to pre-focus my telescope before connecting the LPI. The package even includes cables and adapters for updating Autostar controllers and operating Autostar based telescopes by remote control from your PC. Realistically, however, the cables are much too short to operate the telescope from inside the house.
Meade likes to claim that you can get great results "your first night out." It might be true. My first LPI images turned out very well indeed! --Jeff Phillips
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Very good image quality
- Wide exposure range
Cons:
- Short cables
- CMOS (not CCD) sensor
Customer Reviews:
Software is great, camera is... ok........2007-02-10
I did a direct compare with Meades LPI camera and the Barska® Digi Eyepiece. The Digi Eyepiece had a better picture but their software was a little buggy.
The Meade LPI camera and Autostar software was very easy to install.
The Autostar suite is amazing!
If you plan to connect a computer to your Autostar you will need to buy an adapter.
The camera plugs into your usb port, BUT the Autostar software,to direct your telescope, goes into a serial port.
(how dumb is that? Anyone going to use this is going to be using a laptop and todays laptops do not have this port!)
So you will need to buy a USB to Serial Port Cable adapter.
Meade sells it for $40.00 but other vendors here on Amazon have ones that will work for $20.00 or even less.
I give them 4 stars because the camera could be better and they are unclear that you need a usb port AND a serial port to use them both together.
If you are looking for something that is almost plug and play (you need the serial to usb adapter) I would get the Meade.
The Autostar Software is amazing!
If you are just looking for a camera only, and don't need the autostar software, I would look at getting the Barska® Digi Eyepiece.
Their software is a little buggy but the pictures are clearer.
You can read my other review of the Barska® Digi Eyepiece here on Amazon to see what problems I had.
Just do a search for Barska® Digi Eyepiece.
I ended up using both on different computers and telescopes. =o)
Greate Purches.......2006-11-06
I Purches Meade Autostar for my Meade LX200GPS where the results where greate. I have to get used to the Autostar Suite but after 3 nights i got the best resuls of the moon. and Jupiter.
Product Description
MEADE CVB1003 -- With 16MB of internal memory, this unique binocular can store up to 300 still images at full .3 megapixel resolution, or 200 seconds of video. Precision ground, fully coated 22mm optics deliver bright, sharp images. The CaptureView 8x22 VGA Binocular is the perfect gift, and an essential companion at concerts, sporting events, and while traveling. Exit Pupil - 2.75 Dimensions - 2.5H x 4.1W x 4.4L Weight - 13 ounces Package Includes - USB cable, carry case, neck strap, cleaning cloth, instructions, image editing & archiving software on CD-ROM Finish - Black & Silver
Customer Reviews:
Lousy, disappointing.......2005-12-27
My sister and her boyfriend bought this for me for Christmas. All of us expected what was viewed in the binoculars would be what was photographed, but no. This is a camera mounted on a pair of binoculars. The camera -- and not a very good one (slow and featurless) -- has nothing to do with the binoculars.
Imagine focusing the binoculars on a bird in a tree at some distance and then snapping a picture. The picture would be of the tree -- not of the bird. Presumably, the bird would be in the photo but the photo would not be what you saw in the binoculars.
One would do much better with a telephoto lens on a good camera.
Poorly Engineered.......2004-10-18
This is a poorly engineered product. The first sign of trouble was when I read the recommendation in the user's guide to remove the batteries when the unit is not in use. If you do not remove the batteries, they will discharge in 2 or 3 days. A 50 cent on/off switch would have largely fixed this problem.
The next problem is with the software. It does not work with XP. Meade provides a ridiculous Help Sheet for XP users on their web site, but it only provides jerry rigged half solutions. For all practical purposes the software does not work on Windows XP. I do not know how it performs on other versions of windows.
Then there is the digital camera. With a 50 ft MINIMUM focus and the low resolution VGA camera, do not expect to take the glorious closeups shown in meade's advertisements. The auto shutoff is also a problem. Unit will turn off between shots making spontaneous photography impossible.
This camera/binoculars may have some novelty value, but at 50 to 60 dollars it is not a good value. Meade should be ashamed.
Best Digital Camera Binocular!!!!.......2004-07-04
What a great Innovation!! At a recent baseball game we shot over 200 photo's!! This camera is loaded with so much memory its hard to run out. I recommend it for anybody into sporting events. We didn't miss a shot. The download to the computer afterwards was easy, and the photo's were great!
This is a great deal!
Cheap Construction.......2004-06-17
I cannot tell you about picture quality for these binoculars because I couldn't get past the cheap construction. I bought these for my husband for hunting and the races but had to send 2 pair back before even using them. The body is cheap silver looking brushed plastic and it had dents and dings. The battery cover wouldn't even close. That was my first pair. I got the second and the battery cover still wouldn't snap closed. VERY POORLY MADE. Now my husband is disappointed and so am I. I suggest shopping around. I know I will.
Customer Reviews:
Great quality for the price.......2007-06-14
Narrow field of view and hard to hold still.
Not good for watching birds, but I knew that when we bought them.
Product Description
The fully go-to computerized ETX-90AT with UHTC optics is an exceptional value that is in a class by itself. As one individual was heard to say after seeing the ETX-90 in operation, "I have seen the future of amateur astronomy" . . .
Amazon.com Review
The little Meade ETX90EC, one of the most popular telescopes ever made, is a 3.5-inch f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain designed for maximum portability while also delivering outstanding images. It certainly succeeds on both counts, and at a terrific price. The telescope comes with a 26mm Meade Super Plössl eyepiece, an 8x21 finderscope, a very nice screw-on dust cap, a fork mount, an adjustable tripod, and a built-in computer for finding and tracking sky objects.
Images through the ETX90EC are absolutely textbook perfect. The excellent optical quality produces some wonderful views of brighter sky objects, such as the Moon and naked-eye planets. Meade's recently introduced UHTC optical coatings further strengthen optical performance by enhancing image contrast. Given the amazing low price for what you get, the ETX90EC is a great triumph in low-cost, mass-production optical fabrication techniques.
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The computer-driven hand controller makes it easy to find 14,000 celestial objects. |
Once properly set up and initialized, the onboard Autostar computer control can guide users to more than 14,000 sky objects. I have always found the Autostar navigation system to be extremely accurate, even if it does include many more targets than a 3.5-inch telescope could possibly see under the best conditions.
As good as the optical assembly is, the finderscope leaves something to be desired. I find it difficult, if not impossible to look through because of how closely it is mounted to the tube of the telescope. The problem only gets worse as the telescope raises in altitude, causing my nose to scrunch up against the eyepiece. I would recommend augmenting the finder with a small one-power aiming device, such Orion Telescope's EZ Finder II Reflex Sight. Another drawback is the focusing. Although the focuser's movement is smooth, the small, aluminum knob is very difficult to grasp when looking through the eyepiece.
The tube assembly comes mounted on a miniaturized, clock-driven, fork equatorial mount made mostly from molded plastic. The DC-powered clock drive runs for more than 20 hours on eight common AA-size batteries. The clock drive tracks the sky quite accurately after it has been properly initialized.
Consumers should note, however, that since the tube is longer than the fork arms, the telescope cannot swing all the way through the mount. This could limit the telescope's ability to look low in the sky, depending on how and where you have it set up. What that point is exactly will depend on the angle at which the ETX is tilted for polar alignment, but it worsens as you head south. I also feel that the plastic fork mounting is just barely solid enough to support the weight of the telescope. It is certainly not strong enough to hold both it and a camera.
Overall, despite the weaknesses mentioned above, the ETX90EC is a well-made instrument and has an amazingly low price. Computer tracking and slewing coupled with outstanding optics in such a compact package would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Yet, here it is. --Phil Harrington, author of Star Ware
Pros:
- Outstanding optics
- Compact size
- Amazing value for the money
- Accurate computer control and tracking
Cons:
- Poor finderscope
- Weak plastic mounting
- Focusing knob very close to eyepiece
- Small aperture only suitable for the brightest sky targets
Amazon.com Product Description
This telescope includes a free Autostar computer controller and deluxe field tripod with this ETX-90EC--a value of $349. And with the ETX-90EC, Meade brings a serious telescope into the price range of the casual consumer. The ETX-90EC Astro offers extraordinary optics at an affordable price. It combines a high-resolution optical design and diffraction-limited imaging with microprocessor-controlled, precise celestial-object tracking, all in a nicely styled, highly portable package. The Autostar controller turns the ETX-90EC into an automatic celestial-object locating system. Just plug the Autostar into the telescope's HBX port in place of the standard-equipment electronic controller, do a quick telescope alignment, and you're ready to observe any object in the Autostar's 30,000-object database.
The UHTC Difference
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Each time light encounters a mirror (above) or lens (below), some light is lost. In the case of a lens, light is lost at both the entrance to and exit from the lens. UHTC dramatically decreases this light loss. |
Image brightness in a telescope is crucially dependent on the reflectivity of the telescope's mirrors and on the transmission of its lenses. Neither of these processes, mirror-reflectivity or lens-transmission, is, however, perfect; light loss occurs in each instance where light is reflected or transmitted. Uncoated glass, for example, reflects about 4% of the light impacting it; in the case of an uncoated lens 4% of the light is lost at entrance to and at exit from the lens, for a total light loss of about 8%. Meade standard mirror and lens coatings equal or exceed the reflectivity and transmission, respectively, of virtually any optical coatings currently offered in the commercial telescope industry.
Ultra-High Transmission coatings (UHTC), recently developed at the Meade Irvine coatings facility, however, have permitted the vacuum-deposition of a series of exotic optical coatings precisely tuned to optimize the visual, photographic, and CCD imaging performance of Meade telescopes. This telescope includes primary and secondary mirrors coated with aluminum enhanced with a complex stack of multi-layer coatings of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide. The thickness of each coating layer is precisely controlled to within 1% of optimal thickness. The result is a dramatic increase in mirror reflectivity across the entire visible spectrum; at the important hydrogen-alpha wavelength of 656nm. - the predominant wavelength of emission nebulae -- reflectivity is increased from 89% to over 97%.
This telescope presents dramatically brighter images on the full range of celestial objects — from emission and planetary nebulae such as M8, M20, and M57 to star clusters and galaxies such as M3, M13, and M101. Observations of the Moon and planets, since they are observed in reflected (white) sunlight, benefit in image brightness from the full spectrum of increased transmission.
And more
The ETX-90EC also includes high-torque DC motors on both telescope axes, permitting electronic operation from the handheld controller. This pushbutton electronic controller has four dual-axis drive speeds: slow, 8x for image centering at high power; medium, 32x for image centering at lower power or for pushbutton tracking in altazimuth mode; moderate, 0.75 degrees per second for image centering in the viewfinder or for terrestrial tracking; and fast, 5 degrees per second for fast scanning across the sky.
The Meade ETX-90EC is specially designed to be portable and used in the field. It offers cordless operation, allowing you to use the telescope's dual-axis drive system for more than 40 hours on eight AA batteries. At approximately 8 pounds, and 15 inches in length, it packs a lot of power into a compact unit.
The ETX-90EC uses a 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design. Meade also uses EMC super-multicoatings on all optical surfaces to maximize light transmission through the corrector lens and reflectance from the primary and secondary mirrors. The flip-mirror system allows for 90-degree observation of land and sky objects, straight-through observation using the optional 45-degree erecting prism, or photo-ready imaging using the optional T-adapter and your own 35mm camera.
The Nuts and Bolts
1. Eyepiece
2. Viewfinder
3. Eyepiece Holder Thumbscrew - Tightens the eyepiece in place.
4. 90° Eyepiece Holder - Holds the eyepiece upright for easy viewing.
5. Optical Tube - The main optical component that gathers the light from distant objects and brings this light to a focus for examination with the eyepiece.
6. Vertical Lock - Controls the manual vertical movement of the telescope.
7. Fork Arms - Hold the optical tube in place.
8. Focus Knob - Moves the telescope's optical tube in a finely-controlled motion to achieve precise image focus.
9. Horizontal Lock - Controls the manual horizontal rotation of the telescope.
10. Computer Control Panel
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A. ON/OFF Switch.
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B. Auxiliary Ports - Provide connection for current and future Meade accessories.
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C. Handbox (HBX) Port - for the Electronic Controller or the optional Autostar handbox.
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D. The 12v connector, designed to accept an external power supply such as the optional AC Adapter or Power Cord.
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E. LED power indicator light.
11. Base Housing - Supports the telescope for placement on a flat, level surface, such as a tabletop or optional tripod.
12. Holes for Optional Tripod - See your tripod's instruction sheet for mounting information.
13. Right Ascension (R.A.) Setting Circle.
14. Flip-Mirror and Flip-Mirror Control Knobs - ETX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flipmirror control in the "up" position, light is diverted to the eyepiece. With the flipmirror control in the "down" position, as shown in Fig. 2b, light proceeds straight out the photo port for photography.
15. Photo Port - Attach any 35mm camera with a removable lens to this port using an optional adapter.
16. Declination Setting Circle (on left fork arm).
17. Viewfinder Alignment Screws - adjust these screws to align the viewfinder.
18. Viewfinder Alignment Bracket.
19. Dust Cap
20. Battery Compartment (not shown, underneath base). |
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Customer Reviews:
don't ever buy a Meade Telescope.......2006-10-31
I have never had such a bad experience with customer service. My telescope broke after two uses. The horizontal drive mechanism is stripped. If I could get my telescope repaired someplace else, I would. I am absolutely furious at the complete failure on the part of Meade's organization to honor their commitment to repair my ETX-125. They took my money over two months ago now and have done absolutely nothing in return for my $150. This is the most pathetic interaction I have ever had with any purchase in my entire life.
I purchased a warranty plan from Meade 8/29/06. The charge was promptly placed on my credit card, and that is the only thing they have ever done for me. I called a month later for my shipping boxes. No reply. I called a week later and left another message, No reply. I called on 10/19/06, no reply. On 10 23 I talked to someone personally and she promised to look into the matter, took my info and said the manager would qet the messaqe. NO reply. On 10 24 I left a message again. Someone finally returned my call and said he'd send boxes. SINCE THEN I HAVE HEARD NOTHING!
I might as well throw my $1200 telescope in the trash since it broke after two uses and thanks to their bungling I can't get it fixed.
Meade ETX 90.......2006-02-25
As a newby to star gasing, both my wife and my knowledge of the night sky was pritty much confined to IDing the moon. We found the autostar system easy to setup and use (once we could identify the north star). We learned more in two hours about the univers that either of us had learned in our more than fifty years. The autostar system can take you on a tour of the night sky that is extremly interesting. The scope its self is a delicate piece of equipment (as you would expect) I don't think it needs to be carried on a pillow but a carry case would be a good idea. At this point, eigth weeks out it looks like a few eyepieces and filters are going to be the only accessories we will be looking for right away. This is all the star gazing system we expect to need any time soon.
ETX90EC or ETX90AT?.......2006-01-23
I was under the impression that I had ordered an ETX-90AT (w. UHTC coatings)package for $499.00 (which is a $150.00 savings over standard price. I wondered if it was too good to be true. When I opened my package, the box said ETX-90EC on the outside and showed a picture of an 495 hand controller. I was dissapointed till I opened the box and saw an 497 AutoStar controller (w. Nov 2005 rev) and a deluxe field tripod (with carrying case). There was a note inside that said that this telescope had upgrades. The manual was for an ETX-90AT. I am extremely happy with the deal that I got and will use the money saved to by additional eyepieces. I wish there had been a deal on the ETX-125EC along the same lines. The only drawback is the small aperature of the 90mm, but it was a way to get a "GOTO" scope cheap. Maybe I'll get the 125 later if I like this one.
excellent telescope but not as represented.......2005-12-30
the reason for one star is not the telescope it self or any part of it .... i like it its an excellent choice for a bigenner
but the offer represented above is only the etx90 with the autostar controller(497) with out the Tripod(884)
beware if you pay 499$ for this offer dont think you will get the whole set, no.even if you complain they will replace with the same order
buy them separate , it would be better
poor amazon
Meade ETX90EC.......2005-10-05
A nice telescope that will disappoint. Polar alignment is almost impossible because of the location of the finder scope. Without polar alignment capabilities you can forget about photography. If you insist on buying this model then go ahead and order an angled finder scope for another $60. The straight through finder scope that comes with the ETX-90 is useless since you can't see through it while aligning on Polaris.
The optics are excellent with no noticeable color fringes.
The AutoStar locator/tracker leaves much to b
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