Is the newest high end Garmin rangefinder the one for you?
The new Garmin Approach Z82 is a high-caliber rangefinder that has some serious upgrades from the previous Z80. Like the previous model, it’s definitely not the cheapest but as you will see in our review, it’s worth the higher price tag.
This rangefinder will help you hunt the pin, avoid the hazards, strategize any hole, and most importantly, shoot lower scores. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Garmin Z82 and get the comprehensive review below.
Garmin Z82 Golf Rangefinder Review
The Garmin Approach Z82 laser range finder is something special and shows how much technology has changed the game.
I couldn’t imagine golfing legends from 50 years ago seeing the kind of equipment and devices we get to use to make the game a little bit easier. Especially the Z82, it’s part rangefinder, part GPS, part caddy, and party yardage book.
While rangefinders are always a golfer’s best friend, this thing is like Jarvis to Iron Man. It’s a supercomputer disguised as a rangefinder.
Not only will it provide distances up to 450 yards, it has a 2-D course map overlay. It’s basically a yardage book for every hole on 41,000+ golf courses.
The Garmin Z82 is also very accurate with a +/- 10” and has 6x magnification. Not to mention, a list of other incredible features. Here is what makes this device so unique and stand out among the sea of other rangefinders on the market.
Features of the Garmin Z82 Golf Rangefinder
41,000 Courses Available
This rangefinder comes with 41,000+ pre-loaded courses ready to go on the device.
Green View + Hazard View
What makes this rangefinder so unique is the amazing display. The rangefinder doesn’t just give you distances, it gives you a 2D rendering of the hole as well.
One of the many perks of the Z82 is the flag lock technology. Thanks to its image stabilization, it makes it much easier to lock onto the flag and gives you a vibrational alert to confirm your target. No more having to worry about hitting a tree or mound behind the green, instead of the flagstick.
Plus, like the Z80, it doesn’t just give you flag distance either. Instead, it paints a picture of the hole and gives distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. This makes it a lot easier to determine what club will work best for your approach shot.
While it will help with distances to the green, it will also help locate other hazards and trouble on the course. Using “Hazard View’ you can easily scroll the hole to see the layup and carry distance to each hazard. No more wasted shots because you couldn’t determine the distance to sand, water, and other tough places on the golf course.
PlaysLike Distance
Like its predecessor, the Z82 also has slope features to help with uphill and downhill slope.
Known as “PlaysLike” distance, it doesn’t just tell you if the green is +4 uphill or -3 downhill, instead, it does the math for you. It calculates where you’re at vs. the target to determine elevation changes and give you a total distance.
No more having to worry about doing any math on the course. Just point, shoot, and let the Garmin device do the rest.
Similar to its predecessor, you can still use this in tournaments too. Simply hit a button to activate “Tournament Mode” and the slope will be turned off.
Plus, it will even display an external indicator light showing your playing partners that slope is off. This is a nice upgrade over some devices where it’s nearly impossible to tell if someone actually turned off the slope or not. This should help avoid any sticky situations with competitors in tournaments.
PinPointer
Don’t you hate it when you have a blind shot and have no clue where to aim?
Unless you’re playing with someone who has been to the course before, you’re pretty much guessing where to hit. This usually leads to a lot of indecisiveness and an uncommitted swing, as you have no clue what’s ahead.
Luckily, you don’t have to suffer these uncomfortable feelings standing over the ball again.
The Z82 has “PinPointer” and will help point you in the right direction. Even if you can’t see the target, you know what’s ahead with the hazard view and it will tell you where to aim.
Wind Features
Rangefinders are great because they give you distances to the pin or any target you lock onto. Some, like the Z82, even have slope features to help you adjust to uphill and downhill shots. While golf GPS devices are great because they give you front, middle and back distances, plus an overview of the hole.
But what almost no device ever gives you is what the wind is doing. I’ve seen some golfers use a compass and weather app on their phone to assess wind, but it’s a lot of work to determine wind speed and direction.
Somehow, the Z82 is able to display the wind direction and speed.
This makes it so much easier to figure out what club to pull and what shot you need to hit based on the wind. Paired with the Playslike Distance, this device is like having a personal caddy to help you battle any weather conditions.
Garmin App
As if this device didn’t have enough features, you can sync it with the Garmin app as well. You can use it to keep score, create your own leaderboard for events, asses your game, and more.
Plus, it has something that almost everyone needs and no other device has… “Find My Garmin.” Just like “Find my iPhone”, it will help you quickly locate your device if you leave it on the course. With a high price tag, you don’t want to lose this investment, but this makes it easy to find quickly.
Laser Range Arc
Like the Z80, the Z82 has a laser range arc feature. This draws an “arc” on the 2-D screen to give you a preview of the shot you’re facing. It’s easy to locate any trouble between you and the next shot and hopefully avoid it.
Alternatives to the Garmin Z82 Golf Rangefinder
Not sure if this is the rangefinder for your game? Check out some of the top alternatives instead.
Garmin Approach S62 Golf Watch
If you like to wear a watch on the course instead of a handheld GPS or rangefinder, the S62 might suit you. Like the Z82, this is a premium product that is geared toward the most committed golfers who want as much information as possible.
The black watch has a 1.3 inch, easy to read screen that gives you a ton of information about the hole. It’s 18% larger than the previous model (the S60) and all kinds of amazing features, including:
- 41,000+ courses
- Virtual caddie, which helps you choose the right club
- Hazard view, stat tracking, syncs with Garmin app, and more.
Click here to learn more about the Garmin S62 watch today.
Bushnell Pro XE Advanced Laser golf Rangefinder
The Bushnell PRO XE advanced laser golf rangefinder is another top choice from Bushnell, a top name in the golf industry. It has a unique silver design that looks like it can take a beating if it accidentally falls out of the golf cart. But thanks to its built-in magnetic cart mount, you shouldn’t have to worry about that.
Like the Z82, it offers its own technology (known as “JOLT”) to let you know that you’re locked on the pin. It also features slope with elements (including the temperature outside), slope switch on/off, and an app for even more information. While it doesn’t provide 2D mapping like the Z82, it does offer 3D flyovers with distances to the green on the app.
Click here to learn more about it now.
Voice Caddie SL2
I won’t rehash a full review here because you can find a full hands-on review of the Voice Caddie SL2 here. But I will say that feature for feature, the SL2 is the closest rangefinder on the market to the Z82. Reading our review of the SL2 would be a worthwhile 5 minutes.
FAQs about the Garmin Z82 Rangefinder
Do you have more questions about the latest and greatest device from Garmin? If so, we got answers in our FAQ section below.
Is there a monthly subscription fee?
Unlike other golf gadgets, there is no recurring monthly fee. Just pay the price once and take advantage of all the free updates through the Garmin Golf app.
How long does the battery last?
Garmin said this device will last 15 hours on one charge.
Which should be about three full 18 hole rounds of golf. It is smartphone compatible and uses Bluetooth to easily connect to your device.
Does the Garmin Z82 have a slope feature?
Yes, this new version from Garmin does offer slope. I can honestly say that this feature alone is worth buying a new device if your current rangefinder doesn’t have it.
Slope is hard to see with the naked eye and we as golfers normally don’t “see” or “feel” it unless it affects our stance. But the moment I started using a rangefinder with slope, I began to see how much more greens are uphill (even if it doesn’t look like it).
Having a device with slope can help you club up and not end up short of the green (where the greenskeeper intentionally puts the trouble). Instead, you’ll be pin high or in the middle of the green, with more chances to make birdie.
What’s even more impressive if that when you pair this device with the smartphone app, it can help with even more measurements that affect distance. Specifically, it will help with wind speed and wind direction, which is pretty much unheard of with rangefinders.
Quit guessing the total distance and instead, use a rangefinder with one that will do the calculations for you.
Does this device assume the pin is always in the middle of the green?
Unlike a lot of other rangefinders and golf GPS devices, it does not make that assumption. A lot of devices don’t have the technology to hit the pin and instead, give a “guesstimate” about the center of the green. But with the Z82, it locks on to the flag and gives you the actual distance, regardless of pin location.
Additionally, with GPS data, it can give further calculations to the front, middle, and back portions of the green. Overall, it’s a golfer’s dream, as it can help with course management and ensure you don’t sail the green or leave one short to a difficult front pin.
Can you use this rangefinder in tournaments?
Yes, the Z82 is allowed and approved by the USGA as long as the slope feature is turned off. You can’t take advantage of the “Playslike” distance and instead, can only use it without slope. Simply switch it to “Tournament Mode” and the external indicator light will alert fellow competitors that slope is off.
If you do get a chance to play a practice round, I recommend using slope and adding notes to a yardage book. Then, when you’re on a specific hole in the tournament, you can do the calculations yourself.
This ensures you reap the benefits of the device but don’t incur any penalties for using slope.
What else is included in the box?
The Garmin Z82 comes with the laser range finder, standard carrying case with a clip, micro USB charging cable, and instruction manual.
Are there any accessories available?
Yes, you can buy a carrying case and a cart mount as well. The cart mount is great because it helps you attach to your cart and not worry about it falling onto the cart path.
Are the multiple colors available?
No, not at this time. It’s only available in the white and black design.
Summary of the Garmin Z82
The Garmin Z82 warrants the price tag.
This high-tech device is designed for players who want the absolute most data available, making it one of the best rangefinders in the game. While it costs more than a lot of other devices, look at it as an investment in your game. Just like working with an instructor, it can have a long-term effect on your ability to score consistently better.
Since it provides so much data, it can really help you on the course. No more having to guess the slope, wind, and blind shots. Now, you can make a plan for every hole, on every shot, on over 41,000 courses.
The one caveat to this device is the charging issue. Since it has so much technology in one small, handheld device, it requires a lot of juice to keep it going. Make sure that you charge it before your round and have a cable, as a lot of carts now have charging cables as well.
Click here to learn more about the Garmin Z82 and order one today.