Fujinon Binoculars
Comprehensive 7x50 Marine Binocular Reviews

Fujinon binoculars are very popular gear at the helm of many commercial vessels. A few models from the Polaris line are also a top pick for charterboat skippers and experienced recreational anglers.

Recreational boaters will find three of the Fujinon Polaris Series to be suitable for small boat operations. Two of these binoculars carry 7x magnification and one has 8x. The larger 10x and 16x Polaris models are a better fit on a cruise ship or destroyer bridge than on any small recreational or commercial boat.

Fujinon FMTRC-SX

The two Fujinon Polaris 7x models are the FMTR-SX and the FMTRC-SX. This pair is basically identical with the exception that the latter model has a built-in compass and range reticle. The Polaris 8x30 FMTR-SX is also suitable for use on a small boat.

Fujinon FMTRC-SX

The Fujinon FMTRC-SX binocular has been around for many years sporting a traditional marine binocular look and feel, mine are approaching 15 years of service. They are bulky, brawny, and heavy with a thick plastic armor coating.

A small wet compass rides atop the left lens tube and is small enough not to get in the way of fingers when holding these binos. All of our testers liked the grip and feel of this set. The Fujinon’s weight, at 55 ounces, was also a problem for some reviewers. Others liked the mass and thought it would help steady the binoculars in heavy seas.

Focusing these Fujinon binoculars is accomplished with individual diopter adjustments on each eyepiece. Center focus may be preferred by some individuals, but we found the diopter adjustments on the Fujinon accurate, easy to use, and easy to read. This made focusing a snap especially if you wear glasses and know your correction.

You can simply set the diopter for each eye, then use the binos without glasses and they will be in focus. With glasses on that correct to 20/20 vision or if you still manage to have perfect vision set the adjustment to zero to achieve ideal focus.

The marks on the diopter focusing rings range from +5 to –5 and correspond to the same numbers issued with a corrective lens in reading or distant vision glasses. They are engraved into the surface to enhance durability, plus they are large and easy to see. The index mark is molded into the armor coating and located on the bottom so adjustments can be easily made when holding the binoculars for viewing.

The Fujinon FMTRC-SX has individual eye focus. This diopter is set to -1.5.

We found the focusing rings operated smoothly and held their position when set. Eyecups were round in shape and made from soft rubber. Most testers found them comfortable.

The substantial eye relief (23 millimeters) provided by these Fujinon binoculars allows eye glass wearers to roll the eye cups back, leave the focus at zero, and view through their glasses if desired.

Testers gave the Fujinon FMTRC-SX binoculars an excellent rating for day/night viewing. They were clear and sharp with no color aberrations. The compass was well dampened and easy to read in daylight. In low light levels we found getting a bearing easiest if testers closed their right eye momentarily.

No case is supplied from Fujinon, but other handling issues were rated good. The strap has a large neck pad that doubles as flotation. Front lens caps fit well and were easy to use. They are hinged individually on the bottom of each front lens and fall out of view easily as soon as they are opened.

This pair of Fujinon binoculars features a no-nonsense design with superior optics. They are well built and carry a lifetime warranty. The Fujinon FMTRC-SX is the best binocular you can put aboard you boat.

Fujinon Mariner

The Fujinon Mariner is significantly less expensive than the Polaris class. They sport a sleek look with a smooth gray finish and are the only binocular we’ve tested to come equipped with a digital compass.

Fujinon Mariner

The digital compass is much smaller and less obtrusive than the wet compasses used on the other binoculars. This makes gripping the binocular much more comfortable.

Unfortunately, the digital compass proved problematic during testing. We had trouble getting it to work, but new batteries fixed that problem. Then, after the water dunking, the compass remained on and locked to a certain heading, which burned the batteries again. We tried unsuccessfully to get the compass in these Fujinon binoculars to work again.

The Mariner II features center focus with a single diopter adjustment on the right eyepiece. Our testers preferred the center focus, finding it easier to use and easier to refocus on objects at varying distances. I found the operation of the center focus knob to be a bit stiff.

The Fujinon eyecups were not a favorite; most testers disliked their hard texture. The Mariner II did receive an excellent rating for day/night viewing. They were clear, sharp, had no color aberrations. When it worked the compass was easy-to-read.

No case is supplied from Fujinon. The strap has a large neck pad that doubles as flotation. Front lens caps fit well and were easy to use even though they were anchored on the center hinge.

The Mariner II binoculars failed the drop test. It appeared that something went out of alignment in the right lens tube, causing us to see a double image when using them.

Although it initially performed well, these Fujinon binoculars didn’t work after our drop test. We didn’t like the temperamental digital compass and uncomfortable eyecups either.