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13 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 Good Binoculars but Not for NavigationSep 28, 2006
By M. Owens
The name "mariner" in the product title would suggest that these binoculars are suitable for marine navigation, especially since they have an integrated digital compass. However, I knew I was in for trouble when I opened the box and read the instruction manual, which listed the accuracy of the compass at plus/minus 5 deg. An error of 5 deg. in marine coastal navigation could place you miles off course, and after comparing the binoculars to a hand-bearing compass and a GPS, I found that the error was actually closer to 7 deg. So, if you want a pretty good pair of binoculars with a novelty compass for fun, then these would be fine for you. If you plan to use them for navigation purposes, they are unusable.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Hey, they are Fujinon!Dec 19, 2008
By D. Woods
These binoculars don't appear to be built quite as heavy-duty as some of Fujinon's other (more costly) models, so I think they would need to be handled with some degree of care. And, I'm not real partial to the individual eye focus controls, but this type of focus setup is very common on most Fujinon models (I'm sure I'll survive that little inconvenience). But, they still have the great, high quality, optics that Fujinon is so well known for. The compass is nice for anyone who wants to have one handy (or for those people who need one), and it seems to be quite accurate (at least my compass is). I haven't found any real need (for me personally) for the reticle (just yet), but I can see where it might be very handy for other applications. The large exit pupil size (7.1mm) makes these binoculars great for use in darker conditions, and they give some stunning views of the night sky (lots of stars!). It also has a tripod mount, so with an adapter & a tripod, a person is ready for longer periods of comfortable viewing, as well as having a steady view. I'm very happy with my set!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Nice reasonably priced marine binocularsOct 15, 2010
By Romeo Dog
The view is sharp out to about two-thirds of the field of view, which is about average for binoculars of this price. The seven degree true field of view is also standard for 7x50 binoculars. This translates to an apparent field of view of 49 degrees, which is again average, but certainly not wide-angle. The rangefinder reticle is sharply defined in the view and easy to use. The best feature of these binoculars is the built-in compass. The degree numbers and markers are very large and easily read at the bottom of the field of view. The compass has a slow, even swing when the binoculars are turned, and, at least from my viewing site, the magnetic compass appears accurate. Furthermore, the compass is well-lighted in normal daylight. If you insert the two batteries as directed, a push of the light button gives the compass card a dull red glow for easy reading at night or in darkened conditions. Some may find the supplied floating neck strap irritating as it is a little cumbersome. The one-piece rain guard fits well and tight over the eyepieces and the attached lens covers likewise fit tight over the objective lenses. The individually focused eyepieces focus smoothly. The polycarbonate body is lighter than expected for this size binocular but appears sturdy.
Great Fujinon OpticsJun 05, 2011
By Joseph Nicolay
Review of the Fujinon Mariner series 7x50 WP-XL (without compass) and WPC-XL (with compass)
Both binocular models are the same unit. These were the least expensive Fujinon binoculars on the market before the Offroad Series, but are far from entry level for performance. I've owned these for about a year prior to this review, and have used these at Broadway shows, in the mountains North Idaho and Alaska, at sea (on a cruise), birding, stargazing, and in the rain. The binoculars perform extraordinarily well, and are in my opinion one of the better 7x50 binoculars you can buy under $200.
Here are some facts and observations that are typically not included about the binoculars on seller's sites.
The body color is closer to grey than the blue displayed in pictures, and is a hard composite. The only rubber parts are those that are colored black. The binoculars' prism was affected in one of the tubes per a boating supply retailer after performing a drop test. To that I say it must have been some drop, because the binoculars are sturdy. The composite body makes the unit light which means longer viewing in an unsupported position, and they float in water. The prisms are supported in a metal bracket internally, and you can safely assume that they are bak-4 at the given price and brand.
The optics can become ever so slightly distorted at the extreme edges -as do all binoculars without an additional field-flattening lens -usually found in the high end models. Looking at an object with intense direct sunlight coming from the same direction sometimes causes a hazing effect with the sun just out of field of view.
The optics are fully-coated. Fujinon verified this after I read from four major retailers that the optics are multi-coated, and five others that they are fully-coated. The coating looks to be a slight purplish color which means that Fujinon opted to increase the brightness of the green/yellow wavelength for ocean goers. In multi-coated lenses there are usually a few more coatings that reduce the reflection of the other major visible wavelengths -each additional coating decreasing the reflection of its compliment. Plain uncoated glass reflects about 4% of the light at every surface, and even the yellow/green compliment will have some positive effect on reducing reflection in the other wavelengths. In theory, and assuming that like most binoculars this one uses six lenses with one coating on each side, light transmission will be under 86% (a single coating reduces light loss down to 1.3% per surface, so (.987)^12=.8546).
The focus is individual, so instead of adjusting for every distance, I adjust to 30 meters for bird watching which gives a nice crisp image from 30 meters and on. The eye relief is good enough to where I can keep my glasses on without folding the cups over. For viewing objects closer than the focused distance, you can slightly move the binoculars away from the eyes.
The bottom line is that these are great binoculars that present a bright, crisp image, don't fog up, are waterproof, and float. For the complete fully multi-coated binoculars with a field-flattening lens, expect to pay over $600 for a reputable brand.
Fujinon-Mariner XL BinocularsSep 22, 2010
By Brent J. Pounds
I received these as a Christmas gift a few years back and am very impressed with them. I have a fairly substantial maritime background (deck officer) and have found these binoculars to be excellent for recreational use. They do not seem quite as "ruggedized" as Fujinon's more expensive models I have used, but this may be due to the lighter feel/weight of the polycarbonate housing. That being said, I take decent care of mine and haven't had any issues to date. The optics are definitely on par with the higher end models and are exactly what you want in a marine environment (7x50). The objective diameter means they have good performance in low light conditions, producing a sharp, bright image, and the 7 time magnification is ideal as they are easy to hold steady on a moving platform, like a boat. Also, I wear glasses and the generous eye relief of these binoculars allows me to use them wihtout difficulty while wearing my glasses. The compass is a nice feature for approximating the bearing to objects you are viewing, which I assume was the intention, but it is not, nor would I expect it to be, accurate enough for navigation. On the whole, these are good quality binoculars at an affordable price and I would not hesitate to buy.
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