The Voopoo releases just won’t stop! This year alone, they released the DRAG 5, VMATE MAX, and Argus E40 – and that’s just to name a few! Today, I’m going to look at their addition to the Argus range – the Argus P1S.
As a longtime fan of the Argus range, I’m pretty excited about what the Argus P1S can offer and whether it has what it takes to stand out from the competition.
MIST’s Verdict
Review Summary: The Argus P1S Kit from Voopoo does an excellent job of delivering MTL puffs with no maintenance or oversight required.
Review Disclosure: Voopoo was kind enough to supply MIST with the Argus P1S kit. However, their generosity did not influence this review.
Packaging and Labels
The Argus P1S arrives in a primarily white cardboard box. The front of the box shows a picture of the kit beneath the company logo and kit name. At the base of my kit was the expected TPD-compliant health warning. The sides of the box displayed features like battery life and pod compatibility, while the back showed a contents list and contact info for Voopoo.
Inside the box, we find a plastic holder that the kit rests within, a pod already inserted, and the hollow underside of the plastic holder hides a plastic packet containing the user manual, a card with pod compatibility info, a spare pod, and a USB-C charging cable. You’ll also find a lanyard cable with an easy-fit rubber ring attached.
Build Quality
Score: 4/5
For what it is, the Argus P1S is beautifully constructed. Plus, the device is super lightweight, at only 43g, due to being constructed entirely from aluminium alloy and polycarbonate. However, it’s not going to withstand a catastrophic drop off a scaffold, but that isn’t something you should expect from a relatively low-cost pod kit.
The polycarbonate is smooth in the hand, with all the edges rounded out for maximum comfort. The transparent plastic section allows you to gaze upon the Gene chip, something Voopoo is rightfully very proud of.
The USB-C charging port is on the device’s base, while the airflow ports are on the sides. There’s no option to adjust the airflow, but you can always put a finger over one of the ports if you’re looking for a slightly tighter draw. Personally, I would have preferred an actual airflow slider, and this is one of the few places I have to dock a point.
Finally, the device continues utilising the Argus Pod Cartridge system, with four air vents at the pod’s base for improved flavour and magnets holding it securely in place.
Voopoo are now also using its Icosm Code ethos for the Argus pods, coating the steel within with a silver ion layer to prevent bacterial buildup and prolonged flavour purity.
Performance
Score: 3.5/5
While I’m usually fond of simple kits that do simple jobs, something about the Argus P1S’ straightforward approach made me want more.
The kit is buttonless and relies on draw activation to begin the atomisation process. Similarly, the kit has no manual power adjustment and instead uses the onboard Gene chip to assess the inserted pod and switch to the correct wattage setting.
Don’t get me wrong, and the kit does a fine job of vaporising the e-liquid you’ve put in the pod. New vapers – particularly those moving away from disposables – will find the approachability a very welcome feature.
But, I was hoping the Argus P1S would offer more, especially since the kit looks gorgeous. So, I’m shaving a couple of points.
Ease of Use
Score: 5/5
Funnily enough, the very reasons I marked the Argus P1S down for functionality led to its incredible ease of use!
As mentioned above, an absolute beginner would have no problems quickly mastering the Argus P1S. There are no confusing numbers to learn and memorise, no modes or menus to get lost in.
Just fill the pod with 50/50 e-liquid, put it into the battery, and start puffing away! The Gene chip’s automatic wattage assignment ensures that you can’t accidentally burn the coils out, and the buttonless design does mean that pocket-firing is a thing of the past.
So, while the Argus P1S might seem a bit ‘boring’ to those with lots of vaping experience, its simple use will be a godsend to anyone who’s just getting started with vapes.
Battery Life
Score: 3/5
One thing that might partly explain the Argus P1S’s low carry weight is the battery size. At only 800mAh, it’s not weak by any means but does end up a bit shy of the 1000mAh we often consider a baseline for a vape of this size.
However, it’s not a terribly low battery and should get most vapers through the day. I, however, did need to charge it midday as my job allows me to vape at my desk, and I found that 800mAh wasn’t quite enough to get me through an 8-hour session.
Still, while it loses a couple of points for that, the 2A-rated charge speeds partially make up for it, and a completely depleted battery can be back to full in about a half hour.
Flavour Output
Score: 4/5
The long-running Argus Pod Cartridge makes a welcome return with the Argus P1S kit. It now boasts Voopoo’s Icosm Code design, which adds silver ions to the internal steel to prevent bacteria and promote richer flavours for longer periods.
The pods also feature a unique four-way air inlet system on the base to ensure that flavour does not escape when inhaled.
Personally, I feel the Argus Pod Cartridge could use a bit of an upgrade regarding wicking materials, especially when you compare them to other coils from other brands. However, I can’t really fault the Argus Pod Cartridges as they do deliver good flavour. Again, I’m just shaving off a point as I feel it’s time for a bit of an upgrade.
Summary
The Argus P1S Kit from Voopoo does an excellent job of delivering MTL puffs with no maintenance or oversight required. While I feel this is the perfect kit for a recent smoker or disposable vapes user, as a longtime fan of Voopoo, I was a little disappointed by the lack of features, and for once, transparent plastic isn’t quite enough to excite me!
The MIST Favourite Feature:
- Low Carry Weight: The decision to opt for aluminium alloy and a smaller battery resulted in really impressive weightlessness. Despite the kit not being especially small, it weighs less than a number of smaller kits, and as a result, the device will never weigh you down.
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