VOOPOO ARGUS G3 Review: A New Era of ARGUS Pods

Product intro and specs

Almost exactly one year following our review of the G2, we’re looking at the new and improved VOOPOO ARGUS G3! So, what’s different in this version? The most obvious changes are the design (less flashy, more classy), increased battery capacity, an upgraded menu, and the omission of button-firing (draw-activated only). 

I get it; maybe none of those upgrades seem terribly compelling. We’ve seen pod vapes with comparable designs and features, so what makes this one so special?

The real innovation is happening under the surface. The ARGUS G3 introduces a new series of iCOSM Code 2.0 pods (previous ARGUS pods remain compatible). VOOPOO claims this technology provides improved flavor, more efficient wicking, reduced leaking, and extended coil life. 

Do the pods live up to these lofty claims? Keep reading to find out.

Price: $23.99 (at Vape Sourcing)
Colors: Midnight black, space gray, aurora blue, aurora purple, snow blue, pearl white, moss green, diamond pink, diamond white

Build quality and design

The VOOPOO ARGUS G3 may lack the luxury feel of the Caliburn G3 Pro and the durability of the Geekvape Aegis Hero Q, but it’s a solid device with quality components. VOOPOO’s build quality is usually reliable, so there’s rarely anything to complain about. The button, however, is the exception. It’s loose and prone to rattling. That’s a minor annoyance, though.

The design is somewhat conventional; it’s as if VOOPOO took a generic pod vape template and dressed it up a bit. Of course, I could say the same about 90% of the devices on the market. The fact is, there’s not much untrodden territory when it comes to pod designs. You can go over the top and make something extra flashy, or stick with the classic look. The ARGUS G3 embraces the latter, and that’s fine by me.

The panels on both of my units look great, but the midnight black version is the standout. Rather than solid black, it has subtle “smokey” waves resembling the sheen of silk sheets. It’s classy and understated—I love it. Still, I’m not a fan of the high-polished accents; they may look nice in pictures, but they collect fingerprints too easily. 

The 0.96-inch color screen was one of the biggest highlights of the G2, and it remains so with the new G3. It’s a beautiful display that rivals some of the best pod vapes on the market. Although the size hasn’t changed, it’s been enhanced with new themes and animations, allowing for some customization. One peculiar design choice is the ornate bezel surrounding the screen, reminiscent of a fancy wristwatch. I suspect the style may be divisive among vapers, but I’m impartial.

Getting started

Stealing a page from OXVA’s playbook, VOOPOO includes a quick-start guide at the forefront of the G3 packaging. I don’t mean “stealing” in a negative sense either—I WANT this to become the norm. It makes learning how to operate the device quick and easy, benefiting vapers of all experience levels.

Here’s everything you need to know:

The new iCOSM 2.0 pods function exactly like the previous “top-fill” versions (technically, they fill on the side). There’s no need to remove the pod from the device; simply lift the rubber tab and fill. Unfortunately, the large coil housing creates two chambers inside the pod, making it impossible to fill quickly. Squeeze, allow the air bubbles to escape, and repeat—that’s the process; patience is required.

One handy feature is that, after inserting a pod, a temporary display shows the resistance and recommended wattage range. Furthermore, the chip will prevent you from exceeding the pod’s power limit:

Lastly, you can use the airflow slider on the side of the device to dial in your preferred amount of restriction. It caters more to MTL users than many pods, which is a nice change of pace. Even halfway open is still a decent MTL draw; however, RDL is achievable with the slider fully open.

Performance

As mentioned, the included pods utilize VOOPOO’s new iCOSM Code 2.0 technology. I won’t invest much time into the details, but it basically consists of a large mesh coil, two layers of wicking (“golden cotton” and a “mega-core”), and a copper e-liquid shield. The idea (as I understand it) is to increase flavor, regulate the wicking speed, and prolong the life of the coil and cotton.

I find the golden cotton (aerospace-grade) the most interesting. Compared to traditional cotton, VOOPOO claims it’s 3x denser, has a 300% longer lifespan, and offers 73% more heat resistance. Of course, bold claims like this are common in the pod game, but the proof is in the pudding. So, how do these pods perform?

0.7-ohm pod (MTL): Within just a few minutes of using this pod, it was clear that iCOSM 2.0 wasn’t just a bunch of marketing mumbo jumbo. It’s legit! The flavor is top-notch, right up there with my favorites from OXVA and UWELL. I’ve been using a 50/50 blend and haven’t had any issues with leaking or gurgling, which is a good sign. At the time of writing, I’ve put 20 mL through it, and it’s still performing like a brand-new pod.

0.4-ohm pod (DTL): My expectations were high after trying the MTL pod, but this one didn’t quite reach the same heights. The draw is smooth, the wicking keeps up with 70VG e-liquid, and it’s a tasty vape. However, while I enjoy the flavor, I’d be reluctant to define it as “top-notch.” Realistically, I think the 0.7-ohm pod may have stolen its thunder.

Battery life and charging

Another significant upgrade is the 1500 mAh battery. It’s 1.5 times larger than the original, yet the dimensions are virtually identical. Even more impressive, the ARGUS G3 only takes 38 minutes to charge fully, which matches some of the best devices I’ve tested. Interestingly, VOOPOO claims it takes 45 minutes, so this is a rare case of a manufacturer underrepresenting a product’s capabilities.

In contrast, it seems likely that the battery capacity is somewhat overrated. I’ve been going through 6.5-7 mL per charge, slightly less than I’m accustomed to from 1500 mAh. However, some coils burn through e-liquid faster than others, so it wouldn’t be fair to make assumptions.

Another minor disappointment is that the charging display (which looks really slick!) disappears after a few seconds. To see the current status, you’ll need to click the button and wake the device. Logically, there should always be an indicator that the device is charging; an inactive display suggests the charge is complete.

Pros / Cons

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Verdict

The VOOPOO ARGUS G3 is undoubtedly a step up from its predecessor, which was an excellent device in its own right. The extra battery capacity, fast charging, and enhanced menu system are fantastic upgrades. More importantly, the MTL experience from the 0.7-ohm iCOSM 2.0 pod is outstanding. I’m not saying it’s the best on the market, but it’s near the top of the pile.

The downsides of this device are primarily nitpicks. The status isn’t visible while charging, the filling process is tedious, and the button is loose. I’m also anxiously awaiting the day that manufacturers stop using glossy accents, but that’s a personal preference. At least there aren’t any PU leather panels, which is another pet peeve.

The ARGUS G3 may not be my new favorite pod vape, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using it. Sure, it may look a bit unassuming, but it’s got it where it counts. The MTL performance is fantastic, and the RDL pod, while not equally impressive, is still a pleasurable vape. The G3 and iCOSM 2.0 platforms make a great foundation, so I look forward to watching them evolve over the next year. More good things are likely on the horizon.

Recommended for most pod users; highly recommended for fans of MTL.

VOOPOO ARGUS G3

4

Buy now

The VOOPOO ARGUS G3 is the third generation of the ARGUS family. Although the design has been overhauled, the pods are the star of the show. They feature iCOSM 2.0 technology, which promises a more flavorful, leak-resistant, and longer-lasting experience. Other features include a 0.96-inch TFT screen and a 1500 mAh battery.

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