Garmin G82 Review: The Approach G80 Evolution We’ve Been Waiting For
One of Garmin’s most unique golf devices is back—and better in every way. The new Approach G82 modernizes the beloved G80 with a sharper screen, smarter features, and new launch monitor insights golfers have been waiting years for.
Most golf tech products come and go in cycles similar to presidential terms. And not a lot of them achieve reelection.
But the Garmin G80 has been one of those relatively rare warhorses that just keeps selling because it just keeps working. A unicorn in a lot of ways, the G80 combines handheld on-course GPS yardages with off-course golf launch monitor functionality in a way no other device does. And it’s been doing it for like seven years.
Well, finally, we’ve got an upgraded version. The Garmin Approach G82. Same core technology and functionality as the G80. And same uniqueness. Only now, it’s even better.
The Garmin G80 created a category that still doesn’t have real competition. But it was showing its age. The transflective display, while functional, felt dated compared to the gorgeous AMOLED screens Garmin put in all their more recent devices. The rubber bands and clips for cart mounting felt very outdated. And the launch monitor, while surprisingly accurate, was due for key improvements.
The Garmin G82 addresses all of this and then some.
I’ll be updating this review with comprehensive hands-on impressions and on-course testing as soon as I get serious time with the G82. Check back for that complete, in-depth review.
For now, here’s everything we know about Garmin’s long-awaited G80 successor.
What Is the Garmin Approach G82?
The G82 is Garmin’s next-generation handheld GPS with integrated launch monitor. It’s the first major update to this product category since the G80 launched in 2019.
Like the G80, the new G82 combines two essential golf technologies in one device. It’s a premium GPS with detailed course maps for on-course play. And it’s a launch monitor for practice sessions and pre-round warmups.
Pretty cool, right?
Our buddy Gabe at YouTube’s Let’s Play Thru certainly thinks so. He’s been rocking the G80 almost daily for more than six years. Seriously, he loves the thing.
I plan to catch up with Gabe here at the 2026 PGA Show to get his G82 reaction. Check back for that insight.
Garmin G82 Specifications
Let’s take a look at how this new G82 specs out:
- Price: $599.99
- Display: 5-inch diagonal, transflective color touchscreen
- Courses: 43,000+ preloaded courses
- Battery Life: Up to 25 hours in GPS mode, up to 8 hours in radar mode
- Water Rating: IPX7
- Weight: 10.9 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-C charging
- Cart Mounting: Built-in magnetic mount
In addition to all of that, the G82 features full-color CourseView maps, touch targeting, Green View with manual pin placement, slope-adjusted yardages, a digital scorecard, shot distance measurement, layup distances, hazard view, PinPointer, wind speed and direction, and more.
G82 Golf Launch Monitor Metrics
The G82’s radar-based launch monitor tracks four essential metrics:
- Ball speed
- Clubhead speed
- Smash factor
- Swing tempo
These are the same core metrics the G80 provided, but the G82 adds something completely new: putting metrics. The G82 can now measure putting stroke length, tempo, and club and ball speed to help you improve consistency on the greens.
Beyond that, the G82 introduces bag mapping. While at the range, you can evaluate your clubs and understand how far you typically hit each one. This data integrates with the G82’s new virtual caddie feature, which provides club recommendations based on wind, elevation, and your actual swing data.
As for accuracy, stay tuned for my in-person testing. But I will say that given what we know of the G80’s dependability and accuracy, I’d be shocked if Garmin went backwards with the G82.
Why This Update Matters
Not everyone wants a full-fledged golf simulator setup. Many people just want something very portable and accurate that they can take to the range for quick sessions.
Likewise, not every golfer wants to use a rangefinder or wants to wear a golf watch. A lot of people prefer a handheld device similar to a smartphone. Makes it quick and easy for grab-and-go use.
What made the G80 so special was that it combined these two things. It became the perfect option for that venn diagram where simple golf launch monitor and simple on-course GPS intersected.
And then, on top of that, it over-delivered. The maps were very nice. And the information was genuinely useful.
So to now get an updated, improved, modernized version of this same core functionality is going to be exciting for a lot of people. Maybe even you. I know I’m pumped to test it out.
This is Garmin’s chance to take everything that worked with the G80 and bring it to their present-day standards.
And they delivered. The screen upgrade is significant. The built-in magnetic mount is exactly what the G80 needed. The launch monitor now includes putting metrics and integrates with bag mapping. And that signature no-friction setup convenience remains intact.
The G82 legitimately might be the most versatile golf device on the market in 2026.
G82 vs G80: Should You Upgrade?
First of all, I’ll know more and have a more definitive opinion once I’ve had the chance to test the G82 myself.
But my first impression is that, yeah, it’s worth buying the G82 over the G80, and it’s probably even worth updating your G80 if you already have one.
The improvements are that legitimate. Do you have to upgrade? Of course not. And, honestly, the way that Garmin builds these devices, your G80 likely still has plenty of juice left.
But for all of the convenience, aesthetic, and ease-of-use reasons, I think the G82 is now the better choice. If it took Garmin seven years before they thought the G80 was worth upgrading, chances are they feel they have some impressive enough innovations to make a new product worth it.
I think we’re all in for a treat.
About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen
Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.