Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder Review
Is This The Laser That Finally Cracked The Code For Including GPS?
Ryan Heiman
Founder and head author at Independent Golf Reviews
I’ve been a devout laser range finder user for almost a decade. However over the last couple years, GPS technology has greatly improved. The Garmin Approach S70 Watch has been so functional and easy to use, it was getting more and more use. Garmin might have cracked the code for combining laser and GPS by allowing the Approach Z30 laser to talk back and forth with the S70. The combination of laser and GPS offer the best of all technologies.
This is the definitive Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder Review for 2024.
Why Laser?
The Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder embodies all the reasons I stick with laser year after year. The long battery life paired with accurate distances to anything you can bounce your laser off of, mean it is always ready to prepare me for the next shot. I attach the case to my bag and for months on end the Z30 is ready to go no matter the course, no matter what hole I’m on or trying to play(after a stray shot) I can acquire a distance in just a second and make my club decision quickly because I have confidence that the distance is correct.
Features
The Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder has every feature I’m looking for and then some: 1300 yard measurement, 6x zoom, Slope settings, OLED Display, Magnetic hold, Pin lock, Vibration, Case, and BLUETOOTH pairing. The size and shape fit really nicely in my hand with a good balance between heft and lightweight. It is IPX7 so no matter the weather conditions it will survive a rainy day. The specs on paper function exactly as advertised on the course.
Z30 + S70
This is the first laser range finder to pair with a separate GPS device for additional information. While I’ve used laser/GPS combos before, this is the best integration of the two technologies that I’ve used. If you use BLUETOOTH to pair the Z30 laser with the S70 watch you get GPS on the laser and laser on the GPS. They talk to each other and display each others information other their display. The Z30 included front and back yardages next to the pin yardage. The S70 displays the pin yardage and placement on the green from the laser. I’ve been incredibly impressed with how seamlessly they work together. Using both technologies provided even greater detail for making wise club selections on every shot. What impressed me even more was the fact that the BLUETOOTH connection turns off between shots so that neither the Z30 laser or S70 watch battery were drained significantly while working simultaneously.
On-Course Usage
The Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder has become my “go-to” laser rangefinder because of all the additional information that the Garmin Approach S70 watch adds. But even without the S70 watch, this is one of the best lasers on the market. The optics are crystal clear and the target acquisition is super fast. I still haven’t used a “bar” of battery life after 8 rounds and connection with the S70 watch. I love the strong magnetic hold to the cart arm. Thankfully I haven’t needed to use the feature, but if I would leave it behind, it has a find my Garmin feature. If you play in tournaments the “tour” light will be illuminated blue so that your partners know you are only using line of sight. The eye piece dials to match you sight for clarity.
Is This The Best?
As a solo laser, I think the Garmin Approach Z30 is one of the top couple laser range finders on the market. With the connection to other Garmin devices like the S70 I think this is the best laser range finder you can buy. Have the two way integrated GPS means either technology has the most accurate information for making the most informed club decision for every shot. The battery life of the Z30 is one of the main reasons I stick with laser, but being able to grab GPS information makes this the best all around distance measuring devices on the market.
Summary
The Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser Range Finder is a breakthrough in integrating laser and GPS together with two-way communication between devices. I love the way that the Garmin Approach S70 watch sends front and back distances and the Z30 sends back the exact pin location. It is seamless and instantaneous so you can get quick yardages and easily make decision based on the most accurate yardages. I realize the investment in both technologies is around $1k but if you want the best of all worlds with GPS and Laser the Garmin Approach family cracked the code integrating the two technologies while maintaining everything I love and want in a laser: accurate distance, clear display, easy use and long battery life.
For More Information: Garmin Website
🏌️♂️ Subscribe to
Independent Golf Reviews 👇
Get Golf Discounts & Giveaways from the top brands and stores in golf.
Sign up below to be automatically entered in this months giveaway.
No spam, ever. 🔒
About The Author
Ryan Heiman – Founder and Head Author of Independent Golf Reviews
Ryan has over 10 years of experience testing and writing golf reviews of nearly every brand out there.
HCP: 3
Read more…
Share
