Four vibronic bands of the (A) over tilde B-2(1)(Pi(u))<--(X) over tilde (2)A(1) electronic transition of CH2+ have been observed in the near infrared from similar to11 000-13 000 cm(-1) using a highly sensitive spectrometer based on a Ti:sapphire laser and a positive column plasma. The two states are derived from the lowest (2)Pi(u) state of the linear conformation as a result of a strong Renner-Teller effect. As expected, the rovibronic structure of the CH2+ spectrum is very similar to that of the isoelectronic BH2 radical reported by Herzberg and Johns. Results of a preliminary analysis are given in which the rotational structures of the two states are treated independently, the ground state as a near-prolate asymmetric rotor and the excited state as a linear molecule.(C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.