Today I’ve got my hands on the brand new Voopoo Argus Z pod Kit.
There’s a helluva lot of versatility to be found with the Voopoo Argus range of devices.
We’ve got the power hungry 200W Argus GT2 for the cloud chaser, Argus XT/MT pod kit for the direct to lung (DTL) vaper and miniature lower powered kits such as the Argus P1 for the transitioning mouth to lung (MTL) newbie. We tell you what MTL and DTL mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.
I’d say there’s enough on offer to ‘spark the life’ of any keen vaper.
And just when I thought pod kits couldn’t get any dinkier along comes the Argus Z pod kit.
(Editor Note – it is also worth mentioning the super low price of this kit! Is it a cheapo feeling kit or high quality for a low price? I will stop interrupting and let Neil tell you more below!)
What Can We Expect From the Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit?
It’s good news if you’re familiar with the Argus Pod or Argus P1 devices because it uses the same pod. This means it’s fully compatible with those two devices.
This also means we can expect the same leak free experience thanks to the patented Voopoo ITO atomization technology. What is ITO, I hear you say?
Well it’s been specifically designed for MTL (mouth to lung) vapers to provide the ultimate sensory vaping experience. Put simply, the pod adopts a ‘U’ shaped structure that increases the passage of airflow to ensure a smooth and consistently flavoursome taste.
An increased airflow environment means the coil is able to heat up quicker. That’s also known as ‘ramp up’ time among vapers.
The pod is also leak proof thanks to a rather clever use of two airtight silicone seals and a four hole structure beneath that locks E-liquid inside.
The Argus Z pod kit has certainly been designed with the newer vaper in mind. It relies entirely on auto draw and a trio of LED’s to inform of current battery strength or potential safety issues with the device.
There’s no adjustability to the airflow so we’re relying on that V shaped system to meet our every needs.
Voopoo are stating that the 900 mAh integrated battery is capable of lasting for anything up to 2 days before needing to use the included type C charging cable.
The Argus Z pod kit is TPD compliant and the pod holds a mandatory 2ml of E-liquid.
Expect to pick one up in various colour configurations. Choose from White, Mint Silver (under review), Navy Blue, Golden, Rose Pink, Ruby Red and Black.
Inside the Box
Inside the Box- Argus Z device
- Argus pod (0.7ohm)
- Type C USB charging cable
- User manual
Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit – Specifications
Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit – SpecificationsBattery Section
- Size: 91.45×27.5×14.8mm
- Material: Aluminium alloy
- Output: 17W
- Battery: 900mAh (integrated)
- Display: 3 x LED indicators
- Resistance range: 0.5-3ohm
- Charging: Type C USB
Pod Section
- Material: PCTG
- Capacity: 2ml
- Coil: Sealed / fixed
- Coil resistance: 0.7ohm
- Filling: Side fill
- Compatibility: Compatible with Argus and P1 pods
Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit – Design and Build Quality
Battery Section
It’s as light as the proverbial feather and on its own not much heavier than a disposable vape!
The entire battery is spray coat finished and the top third reflects the chosen colour scheme under a series of diagonal lines, adding a touch of class.
It’s comprised of Zinc Alloy and quite strong although there is a degree of flex when pinching at the top where the pod connects. Inside, two Gold plated spring loaded contacts are clearly visible alongside an air ingress hole and two small magnetic contacts.
On one side of the battery there’s a trio of LED’s. Being installed on the side makes it much easier to view current battery status and they’re certainly bright and responsive enough.
Flip the Argus Z over and the type C USB charging port sits precisely opposite. There’s plenty of surface area on the base to allow for vertical charging which is pleasing.
A single MTL airflow port sits on the base of the battery by way of a very small pinhole slot.
The base is the same colour as the main scheme and I found that to be a nice touch.
Pod Section
The pod is made from the usual toughened PCTG material and the E-liquid viewing window is perfectly clear. We can see the 0.7ohm coil inside complete with its four wicking ports.
As well as this, the entire content can be seen when the pod is attached.
Happy days!
It’s reversible too for when needing to slot into the battery section in a hurry.
The base of the coil has a Gold plated contact point to ensure optimal connectivity with the battery section. As much as it looks like the plug and play variety don’t attempt to remove it. The pod uses sealed coils.
Note: Although the pod of the review model arrived in a sealed bag there was no sticker covering the base. If yours arrives the same way do NOT attempt to vape the device before adding E-liquid.
Failure to do so will result in burning of the cotton and a nasty taste will remain even once E-liquid is applied.
The mouthpiece has been contoured to improve comfort when vaping and actually works a treat. I have no issues with it whatsoever.
Finally, the pod is side filling. I had no problems removing the Silicone stopper although I will say the actual material itself is a little on the thin side.
The circumference of the opening is around 5mm so 10ml bottle nozzles will be much easier to use than say, some of the short fill bottle types.
Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit – Quick Start Guide
How To Operate the Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit
The device relies entirely on auto draw so it’s a case of using the LED’s to know the status of the charge and device health in general.
- The LED’s flash green when the pod is attached to the battery
- While vaping the LED’s illuminate green regardless of battery strength
Built in protections are also included
- Vaping time exceeded (5 seconds) – LED’s flash green 2 times
- Short circuit – LED’s flash green once
During the charge cycle the LED’s remain a solid blue. Once the Argus Z is fully charged, they turn a solid green.
How To Fill the Pod
- Remove the pod from the battery section
- Lift the silicone stopper from the side of the pod
- Push the bottle nozzle through the fill port and squeeze E-liquid into the pod
- Press the silicone stopper back into place
- Drop the pod back into the battery section.
Press the silicone stopper back into placeThe pod doesn’t need to be filled to the brim! As long as the four wicking ports are fully submerged you’ll be fine. You’re also less likely to overfill and spill juice everywhere!
Trust me. Been there, done that! lol
Remember to let E-liquid soak into those cotton wicks for around five minutes prior to vaping.
How Does the Voopoo Argus Z Pod Kit Perform?
I’ve already reviewed the 0.7ohm pod with the Voopoo Argus P1 pod kit review so pretty much everything I wrote there holds true. But let’s summarise.
Flavour
FlavourThe flavour quality is good. In fact it’s quite saturated. To the point of tasting slightly wet post vape. I was using a 50VG/50PG blend and the fruit content of IVG’s Apple Berry Crumble was very well defined.
Flavour blending was on par and so were the rich bakery notes. Admittedly, running at 17W they were much cooler than I would like from a dessert based E-liquid but they were still present nonetheless.
Vapour Production
Better than I was expecting given the relatively low amount of power the device was kicking out. Suitably stealthy when MTL vaping and highly satisfying when attempting a few restrictive lung hits. The coil and cotton really work to their maximum capabilities.
Airflow
Yes it’s fixed so what we experience from the auto draw is all we can expect.
I was a little disappointed by the MTL vape. It was looser than I was hoping for. So on a scale of 1 – 10 where 1 is tight and 10 is loose, as a MTL I’d say it rates as a 6. Of course it still works but you may find vapour production straying as opposed to being pulled back into the mouth.
When I tried a few cheeky restrictive direct lung hits, the pod rates as a 2 on a hypothetical RDL scale. Quite tight then but in all honesty this was how I found myself vaping the majority of the time.
It’s also important to note that the flavour didn’t suffer at all. But again, that concentrated exhale and wetness remained.
No snap, crackle or pop from the coil, just a smooth, quiet and turbulence free inhale at all times.
Battery Performance and Charging
I managed 11 hours continuous use.
Now I must stress that I wasn’t chain vaping during this period of time. I was however, mostly restrictive lung vaping. So this will have had an impact on the life of the battery.
I’m still not entirely convinced that you’ll get two full days use from the device. Even Voopoo will attest that it really comes down to individual vaping patterns.
If you’re a vaper that adopts standard smoking practices such as only during breaks, after a meal or out and about the chances are two days is a realistic time period.
Type C USB charging was disappointing. It took 90 minutes to fully rejuvenate a spent battery. The upside is that ‘pass through’ vaping is possible – vape while charging.
Pros
- Good flavour and vapour production
- Entire E-liquid content of the pod is visible
- Three bright LEDs visible in direct sunlight
- Charging in a vertical position
- Comfortable mouthpiece
- Pod doesn’t leak
- Lightweight and pocket friendly
Cons
- Not quite a classic MTL vaping experience.
- Battery life is shorter than expected
- Limited to two LED colours. Blue and green
- Vape can taste a bit wet on the palate
- Takes 90 minutes to recharge the battery.
- 1.2ohm Pod not included even though it’s compatible
Final Review Verdict
You will be able to run thicker E-liquid ratios through the 0.7ohm pod. I tried 70VG/30PG and they worked fine. However, the wet after taste on the palate remains.
I’m honestly not sure why this is happening since there are four wicking ports at our disposal. There seems to be more than enough power pulling through the coil too.
On the subject of power, the Argus Z does an incredibly good job in terms of a consistent output. Feisty right up to the last puff.
I have two major gripes with this device. Both relate to the LEDs.
They remain a solid green throughout use. There’s no way of determining current battery strength.
Yet when it comes to recharging they remain a solid blue, only turning green when the device is fully charged. Either Voopoo have just been sloppy or this is what I should expect from a sample model.
Despite this design anomaly, the Voopoo Argus Z pod kit remains a great little proposition for the newer vaper. It delivers good flavour, is lightweight and pocket friendly and is as easy to use and operate as it gets.
