Garmin Approach Z80 Review

Garmin’s Z80 helps you plan out your shot by giving you the shape of the hole and the locations of hazards

What we say: While Bushnell goes about combining GPS and laser tech via a screen on the side, Garmin does it differently – with a laser readout and a hole map viewed on the display at the same time. The graphic you see is similar to one of the best Garmin GPS watch readouts – an overhead view, where you see your position on the hole and any hazards between you and the green.

It helps you plan out your shot by giving you the shape of the hole and the locations of hazards – a huge bonus over a normal laser if there are hidden hazards on a hole as well as the true shape of the green on over 41,000 courses worldwide.

A PlaysLike Distance feature adjusts yardages based on an uphill or downhill slope (turn it off in tournament mode) and there’s built-in image stabilisation to reduce shakiness, from its 6x magnification. Pricey, but a really well executed idea.

Key Features

Full-colour 2-D course view mapping is integrated in the viewfinder display for more than 41,000 courses worldwide

Shows a detailed green view in a 2-D overlay with front and back information as soon as you lock the flag

Most accurate distance measurements, within 10″ to the flag, up to 350 yards (320 metres)

Image stablisation reduces shakiness and makes it easier to find and range the flag

PlaysLike Distance feature adjusts distances based on uphill or downhill slope; turns on or off for tournament play