IRVINE--- Meade Introduces First Full-Color Handheld Multimedia Guide for Sky Exploration

Meade Instruments Corp. (Nasdaq:MEAD), today announced the launch of its newest product, mySKY , the first integrated, full color, easy-to-use, handheld multimedia guide for sky exploration.

“Since its founding in 1970, Meade has built a reputation for creating innovative products that deliver high quality and value to sky explorers of all ages,” said Steve Muellner, CEO and president of Meade. “We have continued that tradition with mySKY which offers users a unique, full color and feature-rich viewing experience unlike anything ever seen before.”

With a full GPS auto alignment system, mySKY is ready to use right out of the box and requires no knowledge of astronomy. Featuring a full color, 480x234 pixel LCD display, and ergonomically designed to be easy to hold and operate, mySKY can identify and explore the more than 30,000 astronomical objects contained in its standard database. In addition, unlike anything else on the market, mySKY includes full multimedia presentations, video, audio, and text to enhance the user’s experience. In addition, and perhaps just as important, mySKY is also fully compatible with Meade AutoStar enabled telescopes, providing a user the ability to move a telescope from controls on the mySKY device.

“mySKY is the first of several new products that we plan on introducing in the future that are purposely designed to make our products more accessible to the average consumer,” said Muellner. “Early response to this new product from our retail and dealer partners has been very positive and with a full scale consumer marketing campaign underway later this spring, we expect the mySKY product line to become a significant contributor to the Meade business in the long-term.”

Meade’s new mySKY will be available to consumers beginning in May. To preview the mySKY experience and to find out more information, go to www.meade.com/video/mysky/. For more information on other Meade telescope products and to find a Meade dealer near you, go to www.meade.com.

ABOUT MEADE INSTRUMENTS

Meade Instruments is a leading designer and manufacturer of optical products including telescopes and accessories for the beginning to serious amateur astronomer. Meade offers a complete line of binoculars that address the needs of everyone from the casual observer to the serious sporting or birding observer under the Meade and Bresser brand names. Meade also offers a complete line of riflescopes under the Simmons , Weaver and Redfield brand names. The company distributes its products worldwide through a network of specialty retailers, mass merchandisers and domestic and foreign distributors. Additional information on Meade is available at www.meade.com.