Voopoo Argus GT 160W Starter Kit Review

We’re calling the all-new Voopoo Argus GT kit “A Tale of Two Mod Kits.” On one hand, you have a slender, potent 160-watt device that just screams to be paired with any of your favorite sub-ohm tanks. On the other is the included pod tank, which………. well, let’s just cover it down below.

Aesthetics of the Argus GT

Tight, compact, leather-like grip and a fantastic display — THIS is what vape mods should look like in 2020. Similar in feel to the vaunted Lost Vape Centaurus series, or other high-end devices, the dual-18650 Argus belies its low price point to make a dramatic impression right out of the box.

Everything on the Argus feels good. A bold statement? Maybe. But try and deny how good the soft leatherette and firm operation buttons feel in any kind of grip. Though I preferred using a trigger-style hold, the Argus works just as effectively in a thumb position, with no loss of responsiveness.

Controls

Though the up/down controls are a LITTLE close for my liking, the two adjacent buttons are easy to identify without looking, and offer immediate feedback on the gorgeous, full-color OLED screen. The display might not be the most-advanced thing we’ve seen, but the colors are bright, and the screen stays legible, even in broad daylight. That’s more than enough to keep us smiling.

While we love the look and feel overall, we DO wish Voopoo went a little lighter on the branding. The Voopoo logo is perfectly fine, but the “Argus” name emblazoned on the grip seemed a little over the top for an otherwise mature presentation. The same goes for the Gene chipset logo slapped on the already crowded control section. We get that Voopoo is proud of their venerable chip, but is it really necessary here?

Aesthetics of the Argus GT

Tight, compact, leather-like grip and a fantastic display — THIS is what vape mods should look like in 2020. Similar in feel to the vaunted Lost Vape Centaurus series, or other high-end devices, the dual-18650 Argus belies its low price point to make a dramatic impression right out of the box.

Aesthetics Cont…

Everything on the Argus feels good. A bold statement? Maybe. But try and deny how good the soft leatherette and firm operation buttons feel in any kind of grip. Though I preferred using a trigger-style hold, the Argus works just as effectively in a thumb position, with no loss of responsiveness.

Though the up/down controls are a LITTLE close for my liking, the two adjacent buttons are easy to identify without looking, and offer immediate feedback on the gorgeous, full-color OLED screen. The display might not be the most-advanced thing we’ve seen, but the colors are bright, and the screen stays legible, even in broad daylight. That’s more than enough to keep us smiling.

While we love the look and feel overall, we DO wish Voopoo went a little lighter on the branding. The Voopoo logo is perfectly fine, but the “Argus” name emblazoned on the grip seemed a little over the top for an otherwise mature presentation. The same goes for the Gene chipset logo slapped on the already crowded control section.

Vaping the Voopoo Argus GT Kit

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why pod tanks exist. They take replaceable coils. They have clear glass sections. Why not use a more substantial, traditional tank format rather than these flimsy, leak-prone options? In my eyes, all this does is reduce the number of options a user has to customize and personalize their vape.

But to its credit, the PnP Pod Tank IS clean looking. If only the performance matched the aesthetics. While we had no problem filling and setting up the tank, once it was in place, we encountered an endless array of leaking and overheating problems, with the single-piece plastic section becoming a conduit for excess heat, right to my lips.

Even at moderate (40-60W) outputs, the Pod Tank was uncomfortable after just a few successive draws, making this a poor choice for chain vapers anywhere. To make things worse, the two VM series coils included in the kit barely lasted a few days each, making this a strange inclusion for such a powerful little mod.

Continued….

Putting aside our feelings for the Pod Tank, (okay, we put that aside, too) the Argus GT was a strong performer, accommodating most of our tanks and RDAs with minimal fuss. Anything larger than 26mm hung over the sides of this slender device, but all of them looked and performed as expected, with no misfires or loose connections to be had.

Battery life on the Argus GT was better than average, with an onboard charging feature that has to be seen to be believed. With a pair of mostly dead 18650s installed, the Argus went from zero to hero in just under an hour. The Gene chipset has always been a strong performer, but we’ve rarely seen such quick charging on a high-wattage device.

Note: We ALWAYS prefer to charge removable batteries on an external charger, but this feature is noteworthy and handy, in case a charger isn’t available.

Pros:

• Gorgeous, compact frame
• Responsive buttons and menu system
• Outstanding chipset and onboard charging

Cons:

• The branding is a little over the top
• PnP Pod Tank is underwhelming in every way
• Poor coil lifespan

Bottom Line of the Argus GT

If you have a chance to check out the Voopoo Argus GT mod, by all means do it. The attractive colorways, gorgeous design and top-tier performance is definitely worth a look at these price points. But if you choose to get the kit, be forewarned that the included pod tank isn’t likely to become a daily driver. With other tanks, though, the Argus GT absolutely sings, so start there if you’re in the market.

Score: B+