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The Garmin Approach Z82 is the Most Advanced Rangefinder I’ve Ever Seen

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Every golfer either has either played or watched someone play the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video games at some point in their life. But if not, allow me to provide you with one of the key parts of the game: a bird’s-eye view of the hole you’re currently playing that shows everything, including the way the fairway turns, the different hazards and undulations, the distances to all of the foregoing and, finally, the wind speed and direction.

This is what it’s like playing with Garmin’s new Approach Z82 Rangefinder.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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In case you’re unfamiliar with the Garmin Approach Z82, click here to read a comprehensive overview of all the highlight features, which include laser accuracy within 10” of the flag, wind distance and speed and a 2-D CourseView map of the hole you’re currently playing with distances marked for hazards, approach distances and the green for more than 41,000 courses.

Notably, all of this, and a LOT more, are packaged in a standard-sized rangefinder that, with the help of ergonomic grip, fits comfortably in your hand and merely weighs 8.2 oz. For reference, that’s about the same weight as every premium rangefinder in the marketplace, despite the fact that the Z82 is basically two devices—a laser rangefinder and GPS—all-in-one.

After unboxing the Z82, you’ll quickly notice that it is equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. As a result, the microUSB port serves two purposes: to recharge the Z82 and update the software and course database using Garmin Express.

Once your Z82 is fully charged and updated, initial start-up will bring to life a crystal clear, high resolution OLED screen, that is visible even while wearing sunglasses. The start-up process only builds anticipation, as the Z82 knows exactly where you are when the home screen loads and prompts you to “Play Golf” and select the course and tees you’re about to play.

And then the show begins…

Immediately on the left hand side of the screen is a 2-D CourseView map showing a bird’s-eye view of the entire hole and any hazards you’ll incur, along with certain distances labeled for the hazards and layup. At the bottom of the screen will be three numbers: front, center and rear yardages to the green. While this isn’t the most useful off the tee from a Par 4 or 5, it’s immensely useful on Par 3s and approach shots so you can evaluate the hazards and determine whether it’s best to play the hole long or short.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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This abundance of information could easily help you navigate a course, but the rangefinder provides specific information with an added twist. To explain, the rangefinder allows you to shoot anything you can spot with true and slope adjusted distances. When you hit the pin flag, the Z82 will vibrate to confirm that it didn’t lock onto a tree 20 yards behind the green. And for when you aren’t shooting the pin flag, the Z82 will add the Laser Range Arc on the 2-D CourseView map, indicating everything in play at that distance (to help you further evaluate whether it’s best to club up or hang back).

Additionally, the Z82 provides you with the ability to view a more detailed depiction of the greens and hazards with Green View and Hazard View, respectively. And if you happen to be facing a blind shot and have no idea where you’re supposed to be going, the Z82 also comes equipped with the PinPointer function that points you towards the green and highlights everything in your firing line.

That said, if you want to maximize the Z82’s potential and unlock a few more tricks, simply download Garmin Golf app for your smartphone and bluetooth pair it the two together. Doing this will now provide you with wind speed and direction to further help you decide which club and shot you should be playing.

Additionally, the Garmin Golf provides you with the ability to keep score, some simple stats (tee shot direction and putts) and, for the more forgetful, the Find My Garmin function (in the event you misplaced your Z82 on the course). I genuinely cannot stress how valuable this feature is, as I’m sure we’ve all left something—a glove, wedge, headcover, GPS or rangefinder—and wished that there was a way we could simply open an app and find out exactly where it is. Indeed, while conducting my testing I accidentally left the Z82 on a Par 3 tee box. Except I didn’t realize this until 5 holes later at the turn. Fortunately, instead of retracing my steps and frustrating every group behind me, I was able to use the Find My Garmin function and see identify exactly where it was and zip over in my cart without holding my group up after our regular ½ way beer.

The simplest way to convey how valuable this information, especially on a course you’re unfamiliar with, is that it’s probably the closest you’ll come to having Steve Williams (Tiger’s caddie from 1999 to 2011) on your bag. Simply make sure that the Z82 is on the correct hole (for the occasional missed shot that puts you on a neighbor’s fairway), and you’ll be provided with every piece of information you could need to be guided back to safety with complete confidence.

Moreover, despite how much tech is packed into Z82, the battery is capable of 4, maybe even 5, rounds on a single, complete charge. In other words, you’ll never have to worry about having sufficient battery life when you’re on that weekend boys trip and, after a couple drinks, forget to charge the Z82 overnight before playing back-to-back rounds.

Yes, the Garmin Approach Z82 is a tad expensive—$600—but it is backed with a 1-year warranty and built with a IPX7 water rating (good to withstand splashes, rain or snow, showering). As a result, if you want to streamline your technology and equip yourself with a rangefinder that provides you with every piece of real-world, useful information you could need, the Z82 does it all.

Moreover, so long as you keep the Z82 in its protective carrying case, there’s absolutely no reason the Z82 won’t be there to guide you through unknown courses during the worst weather while playing across the world for a very long time.


Cover Image via Instagram

Ever since golf became a competitive outlet, nothing brings Eric more joy than a well struck 4 iron. And despite living in NYC, Eric makes it a priority to work on his game and fitness during the week, along with a round or two over the weekend. Fortunately, he’s got a very understanding fiancé who (for the time being) accepts him and his obsession. Follow Eric on IG @hozel_rocket.

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