Garmin Approach® Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder

Received last Christmas as a gift. Finally tried it out last week. Works great. Optics are good, very accurate. Easy pair up with my Garmin golf watch.

One of the great features of this range finder is when you pair it with your Garmin Approach watch. When paired you can shoot the pin and it will help locate the pin roughly on the green (front, mid, back). The thing that is missing is the ability to hold that information longer than one shot. So for example, if I am on a par 5 and I drive the ball far enough to feel like I need to shoot the flag to see if I can get there in two, it will show me where the flag is. However, let's then say I DON'T hit the green, when I look back at the watch I wish it still remembered where the flag was and just simply recalculate the yardage based on the flag location and my new fairway (approach) location. Another example, could be a short par 4 that you can shoot the flag while you are waiting on the tee box. Shoot it once and the the watch track your location down the fairway. This could result in less time fussing with the range finder and just simply using your watch to confirm location against the locked in pin location. Instead, I have needed to then re-shoot the pin a second time or more depending on how you progress to the green. For this one really strong magic trick, I just wish it was better programmed to handle the entire hole. This was the main reason I purchased the range finder, as there are many other options at a much lower price point. This flag tracking feature is really handy, but just not fully integrated to the best ability, in my opinion. Another thing I noticed, which is not a deal breaker just something to be aware of, is the graphical nature of the Garmin golf course graphics sometimes are two loosely detailed. So when you lock on the pin and look at the watch the graphic might show the pin on the edge of fringe of the green when it might just be a side pin location. The loose graphics have always been a bit of a problem because at times you might have a bunker that is way smaller than what is actually on the course. Some competitors use GPS imaginary which gives a much clearer picture as to what is ahead. So there are trade-offs I suppose. For the price point, I struck a star, and for the flag track feature not being able to remain connected throughout the entirety of the hole, I struck another star. It's a good range finder, I just think it could be better for the price point and stronger by staying in the Garmin family.

I bought the Approach to work with the S62 watch. Along with the Garmin Golf App they give you everything you could ask for. Very pleased with all of them.

I have a Garmin S62 watch and the Approach Z30 paired easily and they work great together. This rangefinder is reliable, easy to read, and great to see the front/back of green in the viewfinder. Previously, I just relied on the watch, but adding this rangefinder has been super helpful. Looking forward to seeing how this tool influences performance. Very happy with the purchase.

Could not get it to show distance consistently and could not get it to connect to my garmin watch even though the watch showed connected. I returned it and bought a bushnell.

I am on my 3rd Z30, first one had issues finding the flag, second one I lost but was better, Third one I exchange because it was faulty but replacement also has issues finding the flags that are far away 180+ yards

Love, love, love this paired with my S70 watch. I zap the pin one time. I do it from anywhere when I have a free moment. From that time on, no need to pull out the range finder. All distances show up on the watch…no matter where I go. The accuracy, and viewfinder seem to be a commodity now among rangefinders. This z30 finds the pin and locks on quickly. The magic happens when you also have the watch. Do both or I’m not sure it’s worth the money. Do both and you’ll love it too

I really appreciate the technology with the garmin devices, they interact seamlessly which makes it easy to use and fun to use on the course. If you have the watch shoot the flag once and you're set!! It makes my playing partners mad I have all of this information at a glance of the watch : )