Garmin are known for making strong distance measuring devices but this one might top them all. Coming in at a premium price point, this is far from a bog standard rangefinder. The Garmin Z82 is packed with technology and information, combining a GPS with a laser. If you’re a golfer looking for plenty of information on and off the golf course, this could be the one for you…
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NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
This is not just an ordinary rangefinder. The Garmin Z82 GPS laser is absolutely packed with tech.
Not only do you get a full hole display, you get hazard lay up numbers, front, middle and back distances, slope, plays like distances, a digital scorecard and so much more. If you’re a golfer who likes information this is certainly the product for you.
It’s lightweight and feels great in your hands. It’s a little overwhelming to start with but one you know how it works it’s pretty interesting!
PROS
- Lightweight design
- Feedback on flag detection
- Two in one product – GPS and laser
CONS
- Can be overwhelming with features
First Impressions
Out of the box, this laser was slightly baffling to me. I’m use to a bog standard point it at the flag, get a number, type of laser. The Garmin is far from that – it goes above and beyond with information and features. Let me explain…
So to start with this is a rechargeable laser with a lithium-ion battery. Then this is where it gets techy, this laser comes with 43,000 courses preloaded worldwide. It gives you front, middle and back measurements, as well as dog leg/lay up numbers. There is a digital scorecard and stat tracker.
A pinpoint helps to always guide you towards the pin even on blind shots. A full vector map and a green view that is automatic when lasering the flag.
Windspeed and direction can be measured when connected to the Garmin golf app. The laser gives a ‘plays like’ distance factoring in these things. Whilst wind speed measurements are not legal in tournament play this setting can be disabled – shown by an indication light to make it conforming.
On-course testing
The Garmin Approach Z82 comes with a handy carry case to keep the laser protected out on the golf course. Admittedly I found this a big awkward to use. It was a tight fit to get the laser in and out of – so I just ended up leaving it loose in my bag. The device itself is lovely and light, sitting nicely in your hand.
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I’m not going to deny that figuring out how to work the Z82 was the easiest. I’m not used to three buttons at the top and so I kept going up, down, up…but I did get the hang of it. Setting up the course for the GPS seemed to happen like magic, I didn’t have to do anything other than agree on what tee’s I was playing off. It also picked up the course really fast. I’ve used this at three different courses now and it’s been the same each time.
The hole view on the GPS at first was a whole new world to me, the fact it was laying out the hole through the lens was fascinating. I really liked that it shows the hazards ahead and the lay up numbers.
Going into the green I liked that you could laser the flag and get a yardage but you also got a front, middle and back number. This really helped with shot selection and allowed me to feel confident in hitting a little more club, knowing what was long. A standard GPS will do this but it seemed to speed things up by it being all on one device.
There’s a lot of extra features on the Garmin Z82 that you might not expect. You can input your score directly on there – this can then be viewed in the Garmin app post round. The Garmin app also offers its own GPS view. Your score can also be directly input on the app, which displays stats.
NCG Final Verdict
Overall, this is a GPS laser that is absolutely packed with tech. It can feel quite overwhelming to start with but once you get the hang of all the features it can be a real useful tool to a keen golfer. It’s certainly for a player who likes lots of information.
Garmin Approach Z82 GPS Laser Golf Rangefinder Review: The Details
RRP: £499 / $599.99
More Information: Garmin
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