Approach Z30 Golf Range Finder

The Z30, when linked to the Approach S70 watch, is outstanding. I use the range finder to get the distance to the pin and then I can see on my watch where the flag is located on the green. As I approach the green, the distance to the pin updates so that I can know the distance even without using the range finder again. The display in the Z30 also shows the number of yards from the front edge to the pin and the number of yards from the pin to the back edge of the green. Great product.

Most reviews said this was slow to grab the pin but great for a Garmin guy who had a Garmin watch. Spot on except I feel it grabs the pin quicker than any range finder I’ve ever had. The automatic connection between this unit and the watch is quicker than it takes to look at the watch and the front and back distances stay in the finder long enough to get back to the eye after looking at the watch. No buyers remorse here.

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.