NEWS RELEASE

MIDDLETOWN, NY (March 19, 2004) -- Meade Instruments Corp., the world leader in the design and manufacture of telescopes and accessories for amateur astronomers, has selected VAC Service Corp., the nation's leading independent service company, to administer a service program for buyers of Meade's innovative and technologically-advanced telescopes, it was announced by Bruce Wolfson, VAC's Vice President of OEM Sales.

The Meade Sky Assurance^TM Extended Warranty Program makes available to consumers comprehensive repair plans for higher-end products priced in excess of $200. Retail customers are being offered a choice of three- or five-year repair programs effective from the date of purchase. Repair plans cover all parts and labor costs due to defects in workmanship and materials. For smaller-ticket purchases, consumers can opt for three- or five-year product replacement plans. Service plans can be procured from the dealer at the time of purchase or by contacting Meade's toll-free call center within 30 days of purchase.

"We are delighted to be able to offer the Sky Assurance program," said Steven G. Murdock, Meade's President and Chief Executive Officer. "It is structured to optimally benefit both Meade and its valued customers: it enables us to better monitor and control the after-market costs associated with maintaining the integrity of the Meade brand, and , consistent with the terms of the program, it assures our customers that they will incur no additional out-of-pocket expenses in enjoying the full capabilities of their telescopes during the life of the extended warranty." According to Murdock, Sky Assurance warranties are both renewable and transferable. Further information on Sky Assurance is available at www.meade.com.

"The timing of this program is perfect. We are benefiting from the heightened interest in space and space exploration stimulated by the NASA Mars expeditions as well as the European Space Agency's expedition to the 'Red Planet.' The President's decision to send astronauts back to the moon and build a space station there also adds momentum to our program with Meade. We are looking forward to capitalizing on this as we build a successful long-term relationship with a name already well-known to amateur astronomers for its high quality and value," commented Wolfson.

Meade Instruments was founded in 1972 and became a public company in 1997. Based in Irvine, CA, Meade 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 casual observer to the serious sporting or birding observer, as well as a complete line of rifle scopes 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.

VAC Service administers warranty and extended service programs for a wide variety of products, including consumer and office electronics, electric housewares, major appliances, lawn and garden equipment, power tools, exercise and fitness equipment, bicycles, cameras, watches and jewelry, automobile tires, and more. VAC, founded by CEO Jim Tucker in 1980, is also deeply involved in digital satellite system installation and service, software support, PC installation, and a wide variety of teleservices.

VAC Service Corp. is headquartered at 99 Tower Drive, P.O. Box 730, Middletown, NY 10940-0730. Telephone is toll-free 1-800-431-5843. Fax is (914) 692-3620. Visit VAC Service Corp.'s web site at www.vacservice.com. In addition to its executive offices in Middletown, VAC maintains regional offices on Long Island, NY, Las Vegas, NV, Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Cincinnati, OH, Chicago, IL, and Orlando, FL.

A subsidiary, VAC Service Corp. of Canada, Ltd.(www.vacservice.ca), maintains regional sales offices in Toronto, ON, Montreal, QUE, and Vancouver, BC, as well as a full-service (sales, administration, and teleservices) office in Ottawa, delivering an uninterrupted service program 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. VAC Europe is based in the U.K.