Zeus Arc GTS Review: An All-in-One Vaporizer Solution

Zeus Arsenal is a Canadian-based vaporizer company that specializes in vaporization technology for flower. Today I’ll be reviewing their latest portable vaporizer called the Zeus Arc GTS, a conduction-based flower vape with a built-in 3500 mAh battery and a gold vapor path.

The Arc GTS is currently available as part of a complete package called the Arc GTS Hub. The kit includes a docking station for the device itself and all of its accessories. It also comes with the Zeus Xtruder, which is a device designed for grinding your flower and loading the dosing capsules, called ArcPods.

The problem I’ve found with a lot of weed vaporizers is that the people who design the devices aren’t always avid vapers. Zeus Arsenal position themselves as a company that is run by vape connoisseurs. And the GTS is German engineered, so I already have high expectations for it.

The Zeus Arc GTS was sent courtesy of TVape for the purpose of this review.

Price: $239.99 (at TVape)
Color: Matte black

The Arc GTS box comes with a micro-USB charging cable and a full arsenal of supplies which include the flow sink tool, grime wipes, grime sticks, and pipe cleaners. The Arc GTS Hub includes Zeus Xtruder, an accessory designed for grinding flower and loading the ArcPods.

The Arc Hub stores the device and all of its accessories in one spot. That includes the Xtruder and all 15 ArcPods. And it even has a little compartment for your AVB. It also comes with 15 dosing pods and a glass spacer for half packs. Everything is so well thought out with this kit.

The Arc GTS looks almost identical to the previous Arc GT. It stands at 86 mm and is 42 mm wide and 22.5 mm thick. Weighing in at 125 grams, that’s around 30 grams heavier than a PAX, or 35 grams lighter than the IQ2. Its matte black finish contrasts nicely with its gold parts.

It’s subtle yet classy. The body has a beveled rectangular shape that reminds me of a bar of gold. The body is made of hard-anodized aluminum. It feels very nice in the hand and slips discreetly into pockets. There is a gold GTS on the side, three LEDs on the other side, and the Zeus Arc logo on the back. Lastly, in fine print on the bottom it says “Engineered in Germany”.

The device features a gold-plated heating chamber. It utilizes three temp presets ranging from 401°F (205°C) to 437°F (225°C), which is a bit on the high side for a flower vape. It also provides haptic feedback and has an internal battery rated for 3500 mAh.

The silicon mouthpiece has a slit where you inhale. But unlike the PAX, the herb loads in from the top. It isn’t super easy to get it off, but it’s not so hard when using the multifunction tool. The herb chamber utilizes a replaceable gold filter on the bottom, which is an interesting concept.

There are actually two ways to use the Arc GTS. You could use it with the ArcPods or without. The pods just make things a little easier, but they’re optional. When using the pods, they suggest removing the flow sink and the flow sink screen using the flow sink tool. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is. Insert the metal rod into the bottom of the device and they’ll pop right out.

When using the ArcPods, you have the option of using the Xtruder. It sounds like more work than necessary, but when you get used to it, it makes the whole process more convenient. The ArcPods hold 0.3 grams of flower and are roughly the same capacity as the herb chamber itself.

Here are some tips for getting started with the Zeus Arc GTS:

• Hold the button on the mouthpiece to initiate the heating cycle.
• The LEDs will light up blue while the device is heating up.
• Press the power button to cycle between heat settings.
• Shake the device and the red LEDs will display battery life.
• Remove the mouthpiece using the multifunctional tool.
• Fill the entire chamber with ground flower and tamp it down.
• Or insert an ArcPod instead filled with 0.3 grams of flower.
• Use the Xtruder to grind your flower and load the ArcPods (optional).
• When the Arc GTS reaches temperature, the LEDs will turn green.
• Gently inhale from the mouthpiece until satisfied.
• The device will enter cool-down mode after 2.5 minutes of inactivity.
• The Arc GTS will automatically turn off after 8 minutes of continuous use.
• Brush out the chamber and mouthpiece after each session while the device is warm.

Here is a breakdown of the three heating settings on the Zeus Arc GTS:

• One LED: 401°F (205°C)
• Two LEDs: 419°F (215°C)
• Three LEDs: 437°F (225°C)

I tested the Arc GTS in a variety of ways. With the ArcPods, without them, with the half pack option, and with some dabs. Here is a breakdown of its performance in each of those situations:

Flower

I used the Arc GTS on a regular basis for close to a month. It took some time getting used to the mouthpiece situation, but it’s become second nature to me at this point. I just wedge the tip of the multifunction tool into the slit where you inhale and gently pull it off. It’s not that bad.

I loaded it up with some Peanut Butter Gelato and as soon as it reaches temperature, the sweet aroma filled the air. You get a very accurate depiction of each strain. The flavor is noticeably good, not just for a conduction vape, but for a vaporizer in general.

ArcPods

I’ve been using the device with and without the dosing capsules. I feel like the performance is pretty much the same either way. They do come in very handy for quick reloading and for maintaining the herb chamber, but I prefer my herb to make contact with the gold components. You do get more airflow when using the pods after removing the flow sink and flow sink filter.

Concentrates

Although the Arc GTS is designed specifically for flower, I had to test it out with some dabs too. Since it comes with dosing capsules, I figured I’d try the sandwich method from my IQ2 review. I’m not shocked, but it worked. It allows me to enhance the flavor and kick up the vapor density. Just pack the ArcPod halfway, tamp it down, place a small dab inside, and pack flower on top.

Half pack option

I also tested the included glass spacer. It lets you pack 1.5-2 grams without compromising the performance of the device. It also prevents debris from flying up into the mouthpiece screen. I got some pretty decent sessions with it, but I tend to prefer the Arc GTS without the pods. I just feel like the clouds are a bit denser and satisfying with a fully packed oven for some reason.

Overall, the performance is very good. The vapor production is somewhere between the IQ2 and the PAX. I feel like the PAX might produce slightly more clouds, but the flavor is better on the Arc GTS. I don’t know what it is about gold, but that vapor path makes all of my favorite strains pop!

To check the battery life on the Arc GTS, you have to shake the device twice. It will display either one, two, or three red LEDs. They don’t actually tell you what the actual battery percentages are. The Arc takes about two hours to reach a full charge and is not capable of passthrough charging.

The Arc GTS charges via the micro-USB that’s located on the bottom of it. You’ll need to remove the multifunction tool on the bottom, but you can just pop it on the top of the device while charging. It charges relatively quick, but I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t decide to just go with USB-C.

Here are my estimated battery level displays for the Arc GTS:

• Three red LED: 60% to 100%
• Two red LEDs: 20% to 60%
• One red LEDs: 0% to 20%

Regular maintenance on the Arc GTS is pretty easy. You just need to remember to clean out the chamber while it’s still relatively warm. You can get it pretty clean using the included supplies, but eventually, the mouthpiece will start to clog up and you’ll need to give it a deeper clean.

Here are some tips for cleaning your Zeus Arc GTS:

• Remove the mouthpiece.
• Disassemble the mouthpiece and soak all parts in alcohol.
• Wipe them clean, rinse and dry them completely.
• Use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to clean the chamber.
• Use an alcohol pad to clean the rest of the device.
• Replace the flow sink screen after excessive use.

Despite mentioning quite a few areas of improvement, I really like this vape. I don’t mind waiting a bit longer for charging and heating as long as the session is worth it. The vapor quality is on point. I think gold happens to conduct heat well and is conducive to flavor—plus it’s gold, so it looks cool. I wish it came with the adapter, but they sell their Iceborn attachment for $34.99.

The GTS is classy and discreet. I’ve already put it through the wringer, and it has proven itself to be a true daily driver. I wasn’t crazy about the loading process but eventually, I got used to it. I could have written a lot more about it, but with all things considered, the Zeus Arc GTS is one of my favorite conduction-based portables. It’s right up there with the DaVinci IQ2 and the PAX 3.

What has your experience been like with Zeus Arsenal vaporizers? Leave a comment below.