1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-64609 and 333-76431) of Meade Instruments Corp. of our report dated April 21, 1999 appearing on page F-1 of this Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Costa Mesa, California May 26, 1999