Hi John, yes a lot of mount manufacturers were caught by surprise with this anomaly. Unlike Y2K when a whole industry of doomsayers, fortune tellers and charlatans sprang up.
It's affecting other industries as well that rely on the older GPS circuitry (e.g Radio Control planes).
You may have to contact Meade for a solution.
This is what Celestron has replied to a user on CN.
Thank you for contacting Celestron Technical Services. Since you purchased your unit before 2012 you will more than likely have to use one of the below options to use your scope.
1. Purchase a NexStar+ hand control (SKU 93981 for AZ or SKU 93982 for EQ) and update its firmware using CFM (***note the firmware is in the works but we do not have a date when it will be available yet).
2. Purchase a SkySync GPS Accessory. (SKU 93969) This replaces the GPS receiver module in your existing product.
3. Do nothing, and correct the date manually in the hand control before aligning the telescope.
If you are unsure if you have the NexStar+ or the older NexStar hand control, you can look at the NexStar logo printed on the LCD screen window. If the NexStar logo has a “+” after it, then it is the NexStar + hand control. If the NexStar logo has a “*” after it, then it is the older NexStar hand control.
Thank you
Elena
Technical Services Representative
2835 Columbia Street | Torrance, CA 90503 | www.celestron.com
, Celestron Technical Support