I got my hands on the new Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder to try and answer a simple question. Are they the best rangefinders in golf?
When it comes to wearable devices and GPS technology, there are few brands as good or as popular as Garmin. The brand have been in golf for over a decade now and produce premium options which rival the likes of Bushnell, Nikon and Shot Scope.
Who Is It Aimed At?
With a price tag of £389.99 the Z30 is for serious, dedicated golfers who are looking to get the best gear to help their game.
The laser is also perfect for golfers who are already users of Garmin technology. The Z30 is able to pair up to the Garmin app, GPS watch or handheld device for even more accuracy. More on that later…
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The Tech
The Approach Z30 offers distances from up to 400 yards, if you ever need to see that far. It also comes with a host of other features to help you improve your decision making on the course.
Whilst it works as a standalone product, Garmin also describe it as a perfect companion for a watch or GPS device.
You can pair it to these devices and the distance to the pin will be displayed on there. The laser will also show yardages to the front and back of the green.
Image courtesy of Garmin Golf
As with most modern lasers, you get a ‘PlaysLike’ function. This adjusts the yardage for uphill and downhill shots to account for elevation.
It can be enabled by holding down the Mode button until the light appears. As always, this is a non-competition feature and this can be turned off for your tournaments.
6x magnification allows you to see the pin quickly and easily. There’s also a vibration feedback when you lock onto the pin for extra security.
The Approach Z30 comes complete with a built-in magnet and offers up to a year of battery life, with replaceable batteries.
Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder Review
Looks and Feel
First things first, the Z30 comes in a really nice size and shape. This sounds like a strange thing but I always want my laser to have a bit of bulk to it because I find it makes it easier to control. Sometimes when lasers are too light, they can feel a little cheap and flimsy.
In terms of design, it looks very much like previous Garmin lasers. The white and black laser, and grey case, looks smart and uncluttered.
As usual, you get a convenient carry case and carabiner clip so that you can attach it to your golf bag. The angled zip on the case actually makes it easier to get the laser in and out on the course, which is a nice touch too.
Usability
Purely as a laser, the Approach Z30 is an excellent option. I love the red optics, which are really easy to read. The laser seems to pick up the pin quickly, easily and reliably. There’s also a reassuring buzz when you’ve locked on to the target.
Holding the mode button on the top of the device can toggle the slope mode on or off.
Once enabled, a blue ‘Tour’ light appears. For me this works a little bit better than a switch on the side of the device. These can be a little temperamental and easy to knock, making the button a more reliable option.
If you pair the device up via bluetooth to your Garmin device or app, it can show you exactly where the pin is situated on the green once you have zapped it on your laser. This feature, called Range Relay, is something that I haven’t seen before and it really is impressive.
There is a magnet on the laser, although I was a little bit disappointed in the size and strength of it. I was hoping for a slightly larger magnet, and when testing the device it actually fell off the golf buggy on a couple of occasions.
If you play most of your golf by carrying a bag or using a trolley this may not be such an issue. But if you use a buggy and want to stick the laser to the metal frame, just be careful that it stays on!
One great touch is the Find My Garmin feature. This allows you to track the laser down if you ever lose it, via the Garmin Golf app. If you’re someone who is liable to leave your rangefinder on a tee or in the buggy after you’ve played golf, this could come in very handy.
Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder Verdict
The Approach Z30 laser is really good and is packed with features, there’s no denying that. However in order to get the most from it you really do need to have another Garmin device.
This is a bit of a problem for me. The device itself is already nearly £400 which is a big investment. Having to then add another watch or handheld GPS to the mix means that this is becoming really expensive. You can use an app, but having two devices on the go before every shot just makes this confusing.
I don’t know if it will do any good to your pace of play either!
The device itself feels premium and is quick and easy to use. I couldn’t fault the experience of getting quick, accurate yardages, even though I wished the magnet had been a bit stronger.
Would I Use It?
Personally I think this is a little too complicated for what I’d want from a laser. If you’re somebody who wants as much information as possible before every shot, then it could be right up your street.
I don’t think I could justify spending that price tag when I know I’m not going to use it to it’s full extent.
