<PAGE>   1
 
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-Q
 
     [X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
           EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                    FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998
 
                                       OR
 
     [ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
           EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-22183
 
                            ------------------------
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>
           DELAWARE                            95-2988062
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION               (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
      OF INCORPORATION OR                  IDENTIFICATION NO.)
         ORGANIZATION)
 
  6001 OAK CANYON, IRVINE, CA                     92620
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE                (ZIP CODE)
            OFFICES)
</TABLE>
 
              REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:
                                 (949) 451-1450
 
                            ------------------------
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X]  No [ ]
 
    Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 30, 1998 is
                                   7,882,007
 
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<PAGE>   2
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE NO.
                                                              --------
<S>                                                           <C>
                   PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) -- November 30, 1998
  and February 28, 1998.....................................         3
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) -- Three
  Months and Nine Months Ended November 30, 1998 and
  1997......................................................         4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -- Nine
  Months Ended November 30, 1998 and 1997...................         5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)......         6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  and Results of Operations.................................     7 - 9
                     PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION
Other Information...........................................        10
SIGNATURES..................................................        11
EXHIBIT INDEX...............................................        12
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NOVEMBER 30,   FEBRUARY 28,
                                                                  1998           1998
                                                              ------------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $ 1,835,000    $ 1,649,000
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $1,243,000 at November 30, 1998 and $485,000 at
     February 28, 1998......................................   19,381,000      6,024,000
  Inventories...............................................   15,445,000     11,910,000
  Deferred income taxes.....................................    2,291,000      1,424,000
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................      226,000        239,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total current assets..............................   39,178,000     21,246,000
Other assets................................................      315,000        361,000
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of
  $1,814,000 at November 30, 1998 and $1,316,000 at February
  28, 1998..................................................    3,751,000      2,985,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              $43,244,000    $24,592,000
                                                              ===========    ===========
 
                          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Bank line of credit.......................................  $ 6,872,000    $
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............      208,000        205,000
  Accounts payable..........................................    2,167,000      1,326,000
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    6,362,000      2,692,000
  Income taxes payable......................................    2,940,000      1,606,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total current liabilities.........................   18,549,000      5,829,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
Long-term capital lease obligations, net of current
portion.....................................................      337,000        341,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares
     authorized; 7,882,007 and 7,875,500 shares issued and
     outstanding at November 30, 1998 and February 28, 1998,
     respectively...........................................       79,000         79,000
  Additional paid-in capital................................   21,491,000     21,445,000
  Retained earnings.........................................   10,043,000      4,903,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                               31,613,000     26,427,000
  Unearned ESOP shares......................................   (7,255,000)    (8,005,000)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total stockholders' equity........................   24,358,000     18,422,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              $43,244,000    $24,592,000
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                               NOVEMBER 30,           NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
                                        --------------------------    ------------------------------
                                           1998           1997            1998             1997
                                        -----------    -----------    -------------    -------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
Net sales...........................    $31,247,000    $24,105,000     $61,480,000      $49,129,000
Cost of sales.......................     17,956,000     15,144,000      35,598,000       31,557,000
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------      -----------
     Gross profit...................     13,291,000      8,961,000      25,882,000       17,572,000
Selling expenses....................      3,276,000      2,295,000       9,044,000        4,976,000
General and administrative
  expenses..........................      2,697,000      1,860,000       6,680,000        4,953,000
Research and development expenses...        253,000        232,000         726,000          593,000
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------      -----------
     Operating income...............      7,065,000      4,574,000       9,432,000        7,050,000
Interest expense....................        230,000        204,000         414,000          952,000
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------      -----------
     Income before income taxes.....      6,835,000      4,370,000       9,018,000        6,098,000
Provision for income taxes..........      2,939,000      1,836,000       3,878,000        2,555,000
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------      -----------
Net income..........................      3,896,000      2,534,000       5,140,000        3,543,000
Accretion on redeemable preferred
  stock.............................                                                       (374,000)
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------      -----------
Net income available to common
  stockholders......................    $ 3,896,000    $ 2,534,000     $ 5,140,000      $ 3,169,000
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========      ===========
Net income per share available to
  common stockholders -- basic......    $      0.57    $      0.38     $      0.75      $      0.50
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========      ===========
Net income per share available to
  common stockholders -- diluted....    $      0.56    $      0.37     $      0.74      $      0.50
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========      ===========
Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding -- basic..............      6,878,000      6,738,000       6,824,000        6,289,000
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========      ===========
Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding -- diluted............      7,000,000      6,815,000       6,982,000        6,321,000
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========      ===========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                     NOVEMBER 30,
                                                              ---------------------------
                                                                  1998           1997
                                                              ------------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income................................................  $  5,140,000   $  3,543,000
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................       628,000        348,000
     Debt issuance costs from repayment of term debt........                      400,000
     ESOP contribution......................................       900,000        800,000
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
       Increase in accounts receivable......................   (13,361,000)   (10,986,000)
       (Increase) decrease in inventories...................    (3,535,000)       890,000
       Increase in deferred income taxes....................      (867,000)
       Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets........        24,000        258,000
       Increase in accounts payable.........................       870,000        179,000
       Increase in accrued liabilities......................     3,492,000      1,287,000
       Increase in income taxes payable.....................     1,334,000      1,156,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Net cash used in operating activities.............    (5,375,000)    (2,125,000)
                                                              ------------   ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures......................................    (2,520,000)    (1,981,000)
  Sale of equipment.........................................     1,323,000             --
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Net cash used in investing activities.............    (1,197,000)    (1,981,000)
                                                              ------------   ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Payments on long-term debt................................                   (8,183,000)
  Net borrowings under bank line of credit..................     6,872,000      2,536,000
  Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock............                   17,913,000
  Redemption of preferred stock.............................                   (6,864,000)
  Payments under capital lease obligations..................      (160,000)      (162,000)
  Exercise of options.......................................        46,000             --
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........     6,758,000      5,240,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
Net increase in cash........................................       186,000      1,134,000
Cash at beginning of period.................................     1,649,000          4,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
Cash at end of period.......................................  $  1,835,000   $  1,138,000
                                                              ============   ============
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Non-cash financing activities:
     Accretion on redeemable preferred stock................                 $    374,000
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
A. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and
are unaudited.
 
     In management's opinion, the information and amounts furnished in this
report reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments)
considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and
results of operations for the interim periods presented. These financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998.
 
     The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience,
substantial fluctuations in its sales, gross margins and profitability from
quarter to quarter. Factors that influence these fluctuations include the volume
and timing of orders received, changes in the mix of products sold, market
acceptance of the Company's products, competitive pricing pressures, the
Company's ability to meet increasing demand and delivery schedules and the
timing and extent of research and development expenses, marketing expenses and
product development expenses. In addition, a substantial portion of the
Company's net sales and operating income typically occur in the third quarter of
the Company's fiscal year primarily due to disproportionately higher customer
demand for less-expensive telescopes during the holiday season. The results of
operations for the quarter and nine months ended November 30, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the
entire fiscal year.
 
B. In April 1997 the Company completed an initial public offering (the
"Offering") of 3,875,500 shares of common stock (including the underwriter's
over-allotment option). The Offering included 2,875,500 newly issued shares of
common stock and 1,000,000 shares of common stock held by the Company's then
preferred stockholder. The Offering raised approximately $17.9 million (after
underwriting discounts and Offering expenses). Net proceeds from the Offering
were used to redeem approximately $6.9 million of outstanding Series A preferred
stock, including accrued dividends, and to repay approximately $11.0 million of
existing bank term and revolving debt. Prior to the closing of the Offering, the
Company merged with and into a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary, with the
Delaware subsidiary being the surviving corporation. All of the outstanding
shares of the Series A and Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock of
the Company were exchanged on a ratio of one for one with shares of Series A and
Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock of the Delaware subsidiary as
part of the reincorporation. All shares of Series A and Series B common stock
were converted into shares of common stock upon the completion of the Offering.
 
C. The write-off of approximately $400,000 of previously capitalized debt
issuance costs, related to bank term debt that was retired with the proceeds of
the Offering in April 1997, is presented as a component of interest expense for
the nine months ended November 30, 1997.
 
D. The composition of inventories is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NOVEMBER 30, 1998    FEBRUARY 28, 1998
                                                ------------------   -----------------
<S>                                             <C>                  <C>
Raw materials.................................     $ 3,205,000          $ 2,780,000
Work-in-process...............................       1,783,000            1,819,000
Finished goods................................      10,457,000            7,311,000
                                                   -----------          -----------
                                                   $15,445,000          $11,910,000
                                                   ===========          ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
                            MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The nature of the Company's business is seasonal. Historically, sales in
the third quarter have been higher than sales achieved in each of the other
three fiscal quarters of the year. Thus, expenses and, to a greater extent,
operating income vary by quarter. Caution, therefore, is advised when appraising
results for a period shorter than a full year, or when comparing any period
other than to the same period of the previous year.
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 1998 Compared to Three Months Ended November 30,
1997
 
     Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 were $31.2 million compared
to $24.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1998, an increase of 29.5%.
This increase was principally due to increases in sales of less-expensive
telescope lines including those manufactured domestically and those manufactured
in Taiwan as well as increases in sales of other domestically produced lines and
increases in accessory sales.
 
     Gross profit increased from $9.0 million (37.2% of net sales) for the third
quarter of fiscal 1998 to $13.3 million (42.6% of net sales) for the third
quarter of fiscal 1999, an increase of 47.8%. The increase in gross profit as a
percent of net sales was due to the increased sales of more profitable
domestically produced products, increased sales of accessories which generally
carry higher margins than other product lines and downward cost pressure on
purchases from Asia.
 
     Selling expenses increased from $2.3 million (9.5% of net sales) for the
third quarter of fiscal 1998 to $3.3 million (10.5% of net sales) for the third
quarter of fiscal 1999, an increase of 43.5%. This increase reflects higher
advertising and other marketing expenses principally associated with the
Company's national print and radio advertising campaign and higher shipping
costs to support higher sales volume for the third quarter of fiscal 1999.
 
     General and administrative expenses increased from $1.9 million (7.7% of
net sales) for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 to $2.7 million (8.6% of net
sales) for the third quarter of fiscal 1999, an increase of 42.1%. This increase
was generally due to increases in personnel related costs and consulting and
professional fees.
 
     Research and development expenses increased slightly from $232,000 (1.0% of
net sales) for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 to $253,000 (0.8% of net sales)
for the third quarter of fiscal 1999, an increase of 9.0%.
 
     Interest expense increased slightly from $204,000 for the third quarter of
fiscal 1998 to $230,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 1999, an increase of
12.7%.
 
Nine Months Ended November 30, 1998 Compared to Nine Months Ended November 30,
1997
 
     Net sales for the nine months ended November 30, 1998 were $61.5 million
compared to $49.1 million for the comparable prior year period, an increase of
25.2%. This increase was primarily due to increased sales of domestically
produced less-expensive telescopes.
 
     Gross profit increased from $17.6 million (35.7% of net sales) for the nine
months ended November 30, 1997 to $25.9 million (42.1% of net sales) for the
comparable current year period, an increase of 47.2%. The increase in gross
profit as a percent of net sales was principally due to the increased sales of
more profitable domestically produced products, increased sales of accessories
which generally carry higher margins than other product lines and downward cost
pressure on purchases from Asia.
 
     Selling expenses increased from $5.0 million (10.1% of net sales) for the
nine months ended November 30, 1997 to $9.0 million (14.7% of net sales) for the
comparable current year period, an increase of 80.0%. This increase reflects (i)
higher advertising and other marketing expenses principally associated with the
Company's national advertising campaign commenced in the first quarter of fiscal
1999, (ii) higher freight and other shipping costs due to higher sales volumes
for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 and (iii) higher shipping and selling
personnel costs, sales commissions and other expenses to support higher sales
volume for the first nine months of fiscal 1999.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
     General and administrative expenses increased from $5.0 million (10.1% of
net sales) for the nine months ended November 30, 1997 to $6.7 million (10.9% of
net sales) for the comparable current year period, an increase of 34.0%. This
increase was generally due to increases in personnel related costs and
consulting and professional fees during the first nine months of fiscal 1999.
 
     Research and development expenses increased from $593,000 (1.2% of net
sales) for the nine months ended November 30, 1997 to $726,000 (1.2% of net
sales) for the comparable current year period, an increase of 22.4%. This
increase was due to increased internal engineering personnel related costs and
increased outside engineering consulting expenses.
 
     Interest expense decreased from $952,000 for the nine months ended November
30, 1997 to $414,000 for the comparable current year period, a decrease of
56.5%. Included in interest expense for the nine months ended November 30, 1997
is approximately $400,000 recognized pursuant to the write-off of previously
capitalized debt issuance costs related to bank term debt that was retired with
the proceeds of the Offering in April 1997. Interest expense for the nine months
ended November 30, 1998 decreased 25.0% compared to the nine months ended
November 30, 1997 (before the write-off of $400,000 of debt issuance costs) due
to lower average borrowings on the Company's line of credit and the elimination
of the long-term bank debt that was retired with the proceeds of the Offering in
April 1997.
 
     For the nine months ended November 30, 1997, net income was adjusted by
$374,000 for accretion of redeemable preferred stock to arrive at net income
available to common stockholders of $3.2 million. The redeemable preferred stock
was redeemed in full with the proceeds of the Offering in April 1997.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     For the nine months ended November 30, 1998, the Company funded its
operations with borrowings on its bank line of credit. Internally generated cash
flow from net income and increases in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and
income taxes payable were more than offset by increases in inventories and
accounts receivable. The significant increase in accounts receivable (up $13.4
million from February 28, 1998 to November 30, 1998) is due to seasonably higher
sales during the quarter ended November 30, 1998. Net working capital (current
assets less current liabilities) totaled approximately $20.6 million at November
30, 1998, up from $15.4 million at February 28, 1998. Working capital
requirements fluctuate during the year due to the seasonal nature of the
business. These requirements are typically financed through a combination of
internally generated cash flow from operating activities and short-term bank
borrowings.
 
     In January 1998, the Company amended its Loan and Security Agreement (the
"Loan Agreement") to provide (i) a $15.0 million revolving line of credit and
(ii) a $5.0 million term note. The Loan Agreement is secured by the assets of
the Company. The Company had outstanding borrowings under its line of credit of
approximately $6.9 million at November 30, 1998.
 
     During the quarter ended November 30, 1998, the Company sold and leased
back under operating leases approximately $1.3 million in equipment. Capital
expenditures aggregated $2.5 million and $2.0 million for the nine months ended
November 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company had no material capital
expenditure commitments at November 30, 1998.
 
     The Company believes that internally generated cash flow and borrowing
ability will be sufficient to meet its operating, working capital and capital
expenditure requirements through the next twelve months. In the event the
Company's plans require more capital than is presently anticipated, the
Company's remaining cash balances may be consumed and additional sources of
liquidity, such as debt or equity financings, may be required to meet its
capital needs. There can be no assurance that additional capital beyond the
amounts the Company currently requires will be available on reasonable terms, if
at all.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
     The preceding "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions
and Results of Operations" section contains various "forward looking statements"
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which
represent the Company's reasonable judgment concerning the future and are
subject to risks
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual operating results and
financial position to differ materially, including the following: the Company's
ability to reach new market participants as a result of its increased
advertising and marketing efforts; the Company's ability to continue to develop
and bring to market new and innovative products; the Company's ability to retain
and expand the telescope, binocular and other optical products markets; the
Company expanding its distribution network; the Company experiencing
fluctuations in its sales, gross margins and profitability from quarter to
quarter consistent with prior periods; and the Company's expectation that it
will have sufficient funds to meet any working capital requirements during the
foreseeable future with internally generated cash flow and borrowing ability.
 
     In addition to other information in this report, the Company cautions that
certain factors, including without limitation the following, should be
considered carefully in evaluating the Company and its business and that such
factors may cause the Company's actual operating results to differ materially
from those set forth in the forward looking statements described above or to
otherwise be adversely affected: any significant decline in general economic
conditions or uncertainties regarding future economic prospects that affect
consumer spending; any general decline in the size of the telescope market or
any segment of the telescope market in which the Company competes, whether from
general economic conditions, a decrease in the popularity of telescopes or
otherwise; any inability to continue to design and manufacture products that
will achieve commercial success; any product designs being rendered obsolete
within a relatively short period of time as new products are introduced into the
market; any failure of the Company to penetrate the binocular market and achieve
meaningful sales; any unexpected termination or interruption of the Company's
manufacturing arrangements with the Taiwanese Factory; greater than anticipated
competition; any loss of, or the failure to replace, any significant portion of
the sales made to any significant customer of the Company; the inherent risks
associated with international sales, including variations in local economies,
fluctuating exchange rates (including conversion to Euros), increased difficulty
of inventory management, greater difficulty in accounts receivable collections,
costs and risks associated with localizing products for foreign countries,
changes in tariffs and other trade barriers, adverse foreign tax consequences,
cultural differences affecting product demand and customer service and burdens
of complying with a variety of foreign laws; and the inherent risks associated
with products manufactured or assembled outside of the United States, including,
among other things, imposition of quotas or trade sanctions, decline in the
value of the United States dollar against local currencies causing an effective
increase in the price of finished products and components, or the decline in
value of local currencies against the U.S. dollar resulting in competitive
products being manufactured for lower costs and thus exerting downward pricing
pressures on the Company's products, shipment delays or political instability in
the foreign countries where the Company purchases or assembles products,
including Taiwan, Japan, Peoples Republic of China, Korea and Mexico.
 
     The Company is evaluating its enterprise information system software and
other internal software applications and operating systems against anticipated
Year 2000 concerns, and believes that its business will not be substantially
affected by the advent of the Year 2000. The Company has completed a project to
upgrade its enterprise information system software to a Year 2000 compliant
version. The Company has also evaluated both its products and its machinery and
equipment against Year 2000 concerns. As a result of these evaluations, the
Company is not currently aware of any significant exposure to contingencies
related to the Year 2000 issue for its enterprise information system software,
its products or its machinery and equipment. The Company believes that by
February 28, 1999, all evaluation and testing of other internal software
applications and operating systems will be completed. The Company believes that
those evaluations and tests will have no material effect on the Company's
operations and will not require any material expenditures or other material
diversion of resources. The Company is currently working with third parties with
which it has material relationships to attempt to determine their preparedness
with respect to Year 2000 issues and to analyze the risk to the Company in the
event any such third parties experience significant business interruptions as a
result of Year 2000 noncompliance. The Company expects to complete this review
and analysis and to determine the need for contingency planning in this regard
by February 28, 1999. The Company is currently unable to estimate reasonable
likely worst-case effects of the arrival of the Year 2000 and does not currently
have a contingency plan in place for any such unanticipated negative effects.
The Company intends to analyze reasonable likely worst-case scenarios and the
need for such contingency planning once the upgrade and testing of internal
systems and review of third-party preparedness described above have been
completed.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
                          PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     Part II, Item 1. of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31,
1998 is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     6(a) Exhibits filed with this Form 10-Q
 
          Exhibit No. 27 Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended
     November 30, 1998.
 
     6(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
 
          None.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Dated: December 21, 1998
 
                                          MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.
 
                                          By:      /s/ JOHN C. DIEBEL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                       John C. Diebel
                                                   Chairman of the Board
                                                and Chief Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                     DATE
                     ---------                                   -----                     ----
<C>                                                  <S>                             <C>
 
                /s/ JOHN C. DIEBEL                   Chairman of the Board and       December 21, 1998
---------------------------------------------------  Chief Executive Officer
                  John C. Diebel                     (Principal Executive Officer)
 
               /s/ STEVEN G. MURDOCK                 Director, President, Chief      December 21, 1998
---------------------------------------------------  Operating Officer and
                 Steven G. Murdock                   Secretary
 
             /s/ BRENT W. CHRISTENSEN                Vice President, Finance and     December 21, 1998
---------------------------------------------------  Chief
               Brent W. Christensen                  Financial Officer (Principal
                                                     Financial and Accounting
                                                     Officer)
 
             /s/ JOSEPH A. GORDON, JR.               Director and Senior             December 21, 1998
---------------------------------------------------  Vice President of North
               Joseph A. Gordon, Jr.                 American Sales
 
                                                     Director
---------------------------------------------------
                 Timothy C. McQuay
 
                                                     Director
---------------------------------------------------
                  Harry L. Casari
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                     SEQUENTIALLY
  NO.                              DESCRIPTION                             NUMBERED PAGE
-------                            -----------                             -------------
<C>        <S>                                                             <C>
  27       Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended November
           30, 1998....................................................
</TABLE>