Garmin Approach G30 Golf GPS Review
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If you’re thinking of buying a GPS device then I recommend you to put your money on Garmin Approach G30. It’s a handheld device with a full color 2.3-inch touchscreen display that easily fits in your palm. As you are aware of the fact that having knowledge of the entire course aids your game, Garmin Approach G30 does exactly that.
Here is why you should consider using this device.
- Sleek, compact handheld golf GPS with 2.3-inch color touchscreen display.Control Method:Touch.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- High-sensitivity GPS acquires satellites quickly to show distance to greens, hazards and doglegs
- Preloaded with more than 40,000 courses worldwide
Garmin Approach G30 Golf GPS Features
Touch Targeting
I find Touch Targeting to be the ideal feature of Garmin Approach G30 because it allows you to see the map of the entire course on your touchscreen. It estimates the distance between you and any point on the course by touching that point of the screen. Hazards are displayed automatically.
Green View
With Approach G30 you can view the green zoomed in by tapping on the flag. You can set the pin location on the screen to get better accuracy. These estimations are similar to what a laser gives.
Digital Score and Stat Tracking
The digital scoreboard acquires a compiled data at the end of the round like duration, distance travelled and obviously scores. It can be synchronized to the Garmin Connect app on your phone via Bluetooth. It has the capability of tracking scores of up to 4 golfers.
You can also get different scoring options that include Stableford, Skins and Matchplay and Stroke Play. Combine this with a stat tracking feature to track putts, greens in regulation and fairways hit.
TruSwing Compatible
The Approach G30 is compatible with the TruSwing Bluetooth sensor. When you attach your TruSwing Bluetooth sensor to the shaft of your club and pair it with Approach G30, you get the swing metrics transferred to the GPS device. With these metrics, you can improve your swing consistency. These metrics include swing speed, swing tempo, club path measurements, critical angles, dynamic loft and much more.
Battery Life
The Approach G30 comes with a rechargeable built-in CR2 lithium-ion battery. Its battery life lasts up to 15 hours. That makes the device work through 3-4 rounds and leaves you still with enough battery life.
- Sleek, compact handheld golf GPS with 2.3-inch color touchscreen display.Control Method:Touch.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- High-sensitivity GPS acquires satellites quickly to show distance to greens, hazards and doglegs
- Preloaded with more than 40,000 courses worldwide
Benefits of Garmin Approach G30 Golf GPS
The Approach G30 has a highly sensitive GPS system that gets the information of the distance to the greens, hazards and doglegs from the satellites quickly. It doesn’t charge a fee for any course updates unlike other companies. Consider these factors before you make a purchase decision.
Pros
- Water resistant
- Bluetooth Compatible
- Color touch screen
- Golf feature-packed
- TruSwing Compatible
- Great battery life of 15 hours
- Fast device updates
- Bright screen
- Accurate distance estimations
- Score tracking function
- Green pinning function
Cons
- Small screen
- Bulky fingers can be difficult on the touchscreen
- No PinPointer feature
Highlighted Features
- Touch targeting
- Green view
- TruSwing compatible
- Preloaded with 42,000 worldwide courses
- Stat tracking
- Hazards and course targets
- Round timer
- Handicap scoring
- Big numbers mode
- Sleek, compact handheld golf GPS with 2.3-inch color touchscreen display.Control Method:Touch.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- High-sensitivity GPS acquires satellites quickly to show distance to greens, hazards and doglegs
- Preloaded with more than 40,000 courses worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
How does G30 differ from G80?
G80 comes with an integrated launch monitor and G30 doesn’t.
G30 is much cheaper since it is smaller and comes without slope compensation or club recommendation features.
How long does it take for the battery to charge?
Intially, the new battery could take anywhere between 1 and 12 hours to fully charge. Next time, the battery recharge time can take place anywhere between 2 and 4 hours.
Can you get alerts from your smartphone to the G30?
Yes, you get phone notifications on G30 device.
What comes with the G30?
The box comes with Approach G30 unit, a belt clip, a USB charging cable and a user manual.
How to update courses?
Hook up your device using the USB charging cable to your PC or Mac and follow the instructions specific to your operating system (Windows or macOS) here to update golf courses on G30.
Any subscription cost?
With G30 you get lifetime course updates for free without any subscription charges.
Conclusion
You should consider buying Garmin Approach G30 because it works on any golf course as it’s preloaded with 42,000 world courses giving you a digital map of the entire course.
Touch Targeting is a great feature that helps you estimate the distance between you and any point on the course with a tap of the screen. Although it has its share of cons, it’s still a great golf GPS device.
