Best Bang for Your Buck: Argos by Odyssey Review 

If you enjoy my content and work I put into all this, please take a moment to like the video. If not subscribed, I'd love the support! And finally, for those wanting to go the extra mile, simply "copying link" of the video actually helps boost. Loads of thanks and check out my patreon! About to post a competition for a grinder and, eventually, this Argos!

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts! We'll get a new LED lens out in the mail to you. Yours is only the 3rd one that's come out but something we'll have to test for in QC.

I almost never think to leave a review for the videos I watch. What a highly professional, thorough, highly scientific and entertaining review. You inspire while educating. I have high respect for the quality of your work.Thank you.👏

That’s what you get when a mechanical engineer with aviation background gets involved behind your espresso machine. Can’t wait to try one!

Finally the ARGOS!

I was so pumped for this lever machine. I ended up with something different because I couldn't handle the wait, but I'm glad they're getting their moment in the sun.

I actually have machine #006, and it's my first actual espresso machine. It's been a bit of an adventure but I absolutely love it! I think the video hit on all the major points and covered all of the quirks I've noticed myself.

I was so happy for this review. Luckily I've been playing with my Argos for a few months now. I was wondering myself about that whole drop in pressure after the first shot. I'd often get shorter yields, and the pre-infussion always baffled me. Thanks for explaining this in the video. I'm gonna start trying out the mini-Fellinnis now. Great little hack I didn't think about. Nice to mention the turning on the steam as soon as you fill your chamber - as it does speed things along. The other thing I noticed on this machine (saved my butt), was that if you accidentally leave it on, it will go into a (emergency power off mode) and will flash its LEDs at you. This is to prevent you from burning out your element. Its happened to me more than once (embarrassed to admit) - but I'm glad it is there. Also, the machine is so darn quiet. (compared to others). I'm super happy with mine. Now, I'm off to watch your more in-depth video on your other channel. Cheers man! Love your content as always.

I've been so excited for this review to come out. Thanks so much Lance!

Thanks so much Lance for the review! I have been looking forward to this one for a long time.

Glad you are reviewing it. I've been looking at these for a while. ❤

Thank you Lance for a thorough review. Looking forward to checking out the tips on your Unfiltered channel!

Every time I watch a piece on a different way of brewing coffee I see how after budget considerations workflow is the key to choosing your daily machine to brew espresso based coffee. If the quirks of the machine for your daily "ceremony" are annoying then that machine will kill your enjoyment but if they are a delight in the process then they will enhance it, watching this content can tell you what the right match is for you.

Great video Lance. Really nice overview of the machine. I’ve been waiting for my Argos for 18 months (still waiting), and spend time on Discord, but still found this video helpful. Well done!

Thank you! I may have to watch this again to absorb all that you said, but very interesting! Much appreciated.

Great video. Really like the split idea between this review style here and the indepth over on the other channel. Looking forward to the indepth on this Argos when it shows up there.

Great Review! ❤ Ordered mine a few months ago!

Lance! I saw you pop up on my business insider feed that I play during my morning work! I was ecstatic and showed my coworkers. Glad to hear ya!

waiting for so long for this video. thank you Lance!!!

Love your videos! I've been following the Argos since the very beginning of the kickstarter and am so happy that you reviewed this and the Superkop! Thank you!

Very nice review. Liked how you patiently explained the working of the machine. I got mine recently and coming from a dual boiler to a lever is a short learning curve , but your review will hopefully help me get the shots even better. Thanks.

Wow Lance. So detailed. Impeccably covering everything. Thank you. I would need to be retired to have the time to learn and use this machine. No matter your topic, I'm always watching. Your thoroughness and multidimensionalised approach means I'm always learning about extraction, equipment and coffee in general. So grateful Lance. Thank you

Amazing review Lance, thank you! Genius how you decide to hit steam pressure in the middle of your mini Fellini from a work flow standpoint. Counting the days until my order drops. Some day.

Great review and insight! I know a lot of people have been eagerly waiting for your thoughts on the Argos! I bought one of the first ones sent out from someone on the HB forums and may have had the shortest wait time out of anyone who's ordered an Argos 😅. It's been a blast to play with a spring lever and switching between spring and direct is so simple. Even in a shorter video I think you hit on the most important quirks of the machine and I hope Ross and the team are ready for the influx of new orders after this review!

I'm so curious about this algorithm they use for the temperature controller. Cool to see a machine that seems electrically simple on the surface, actually has some really powerful software features 🔥🔥

Thanks a lot for your review! Originally I ordered one Argos because on the materials you can't usually find in lever machines. Your findings are really increasing my anticipation brewing coffee with it! (And it helps to forget the incredible long delivery time a little bit)

Patiently waiting for my Argos here! Based on current rates I'm hoping I'll get mine sometime later this summer. Great review, I appreciate how you explained some of the unique techniques Odyssey put into this machine, I always kinda understood what they were doing but this explanation was really easy to follow along with.

Great review. One of an early Argos owner. Love my machine and pulling both spring and direct lever shots. The experience and taste I get from my Argos has been terrific. Since this is a new company making this machine I have been impressed with the support and modifications Ross and William have made to improve performance.

New to the world of espresso machines and finally starting my deep dive into the process of making great coffee at home. This review was so exciting, stoked to learn more about this machine and levers in general! Seems like an endless deep-dive.

I’ve been loving my Argos. I really wanted to get into a lever machine and this one has made it so simple with very little learning curve and the coffee has been incredible. I love that I can go from a cold machine to brewing coffee in about 5min!

Really well engineered machine. Well done. Great review

I’ve been waiting so long to see a real review on this!

Can't wait to see the full unfiltered review!

Picopresso is my daily driver, but I do like this footprint with steamwand so i'll keep it in mind for when I want to upgrade. Thanks!

Amazing work!

i'm glad you are as excited about using it as I was when I first saw it! even without the temperature stability and powerful steaming, I'm pretty sure direct lever and spring lever in one machine doesn't exist anywhere else on the market, but *with* all those features and with how it looks, it's just an endgame espresso machine in a small package, and I'm looking forward to having it on my bar (when I save up for it 😅)

I saw this machine several months ago and really liked the look of it and what it promised but I didn't have the money or expertise or understanding or anything to justify getting one. I have a Gaggia Classic but am now upgrading to a Breville Dual Boiler. This is beautiful, still, and it would've been great to get nowadays but I think I'm happy with going for the Dual Boiler, it gives me what I'm looking for in there. Also, I frankly forgot it existed until you brought it up in this video 😂 Glad to see it actually is as good as it promises to be, that's awesome to see! Subsequent versions will definitely just fine-tune it, which is fantastic! Looking forward to seeing where this machine goes

Great video, as usual. Would really like to see a video focused on open boiler options (such as the Strietman CT2) at some point. Keep up the awesome job kind sir! PS: I've been an enthusiastic home barista for the past 15 years. During this time, I've constantly had small incremental improvements in my results and flow, but in the past years, they started to taper off as I've slowly "perfected" my routine. However, incorporating a blind shaker as a result of your latest videos was the most positive change on the consistency of my results in years. It even managed to tame the horrendous shots I've been initially getting from unseasoned Sculptor 078s burrs. Thank you 🙏

I love it! ❤ The boiler cap experience looks like refuelling a classic bike or even some classic cars. As a petrolhead with attention to detail that truly excites me! Seems like a solid package, this machine - there wasn't a moment in this review where I thought to myself "Ah, but this here sucks and it's a deal breaker for me".

Really cool approach to temp stability

Great machine! Amazing review!

Congratulations on 250K and 3 years! I’ve been waiting for someone to do a review on this thing. This may (eventually) become my first espresso machine. I thought about the Flares, but wanted steam, so I thought about a Europicolla, but didn’t like the temperature control (or lack thereof) so when I first heard about the Argos a couple of years ago, I went, “Ooooohhh…”. Wonder how good it is…

Great overview 👌

Great review video. I want one!!

Cool review and lever learning experience

This is finally what I’ve been looking for!!

Another fantastic review!

Super cool, thanks!

Thanks for the review Lance, all of them! Been considering this vs the Meticulous for some time now. Since you have experience with both, what woild you recommend out of the two?

Interesting review, I remember when my BDB crapped out and I was in the market for a new machine. This was in pre-order at the time and I thought about getting it. Breville burned me so bad that I didn’t want to take a chance in an up and coming disruptor again, and I ended up going with a safe e61 machine (Izzo Vivi) and so far it’s been a great time. Glad to see that they did deliver on their product, but I’d be curious to see how is long term reliability especially since the fit and finish look pretty rough.

Great video as always. I have commercial lever machine in use for my coffee buisness and enjoy it. Even though careful with it the chromed group heads and portafilters wear and expose brass and even some flaring. So im all about stainless groupheads. I wonder if plumbed version x2 on bar would work for small cafe( maybe bolted to tabletop) only other stainless leva group heads im aware of is LM leva and Kees van...( both super $$) odsy please make commercial friendly version 1group so you can do modular/tadem bar. Thanks

Been waiting a long time for this one. Thanks for doing the work. Looks like a good investment for espresso enthusiasts. Extra cool it’s made in the states and has an honest price point.

I've pre-ordered one back in 2022 and i think I'm close to get my order. I know that Ross maybe will refine the quirks of the machine in an V2 (heck he is doing that already), but as it is, it already seems to meet all my demands. On top of that, i love the fact that the Argos is made mostly of stainless steel. I also loved the cork insulation it had shown at some point, maybe this is because i live near Portugal. Great vid on this machine!!

Pretty cool setup. I like it has a built in steamer. Wonder if Flair will ever get something like that.

In regard to gauging the water level in the boiler for refill, they can design a filler tube that is as deep as it needs and indicate full when the water level reaches the bottom of the tube.

Awesome video!

Thanks for turning me on to this machine. WIll probably end up being the upgrade from my dedica at some point...

Solution for the fill level as a mod. A fill funnel with a float bar so you have a visual aid.

I cannot wait to get mine! A couple of more months, I think. Thanks for the review; it was great.

Great video! I've had my Argos since January and haven't pulled a shot on my breville dual boiler since. The argos is such a fun machine to use and the robust build quality only adds the experience.

Very excited to keep watching the video! Is a review of the synesso planned for the future? I’m in the market for a new machine for my coffee cart.

Dang I was just thinking the other day that a lever machine might be the type of espresso machine I would want to start with but lamenting all the limitations… this looks like the answer! Great review.

Cool tech and good review! The way I see it still requires a lot of fiddling and workflow adjustments, as with any other small lever machine. Filling in waters seems like it will be painful on a daily basis. What I can’t stop thinking about: with all the bluetooth, apps, microcontrollers and firmware updates - will it work after 5 years? What about 10? What about spare parts? I own a *dumb* and simple Strega and if I am ever to get a small lever it will be a simple Cremina since simplicity is what levers are about. If you are worried about thermal stability and pull a lot of shots - just get a lever with a bigger group.

I kinda like it. Few interesting options, temperature control and a small footprint. I would not choose it as my only machine, but a great second one to play with my Italian roasts.

I love my Argos. it is a nice and consistent machine. one thing I wonder though, have you tried brewing turbo shots on a 8bar spring? i am still learning how I should do a turbo on the Argos comapred to my pump driven machine.

You reminded me I'm waiting on my order for one.

I just started looking at lever machines. Partly because of interest and partly because I wanted something I could bring with me on car trips to see family or car camp (my daily driver is a Lelit Bianca). I wanted something that can do milk drinks, so I’ve been looking at the Olympia cremina and the la pavoni machines. I was ready to buy into one of those systems and then stumbled upon the Argos and your review. It honestly seems like a more compelling option. What do you think of it compared to those machines and the “portability”? Keep up the great work. I’ve really been enjoying your channel. I don’t think coffee RU-vid is an easy space to be in, but you’ve really carved out a space for yourself. I have no doubts you’ll surpass 1mm subscribers soon enough.

Thanks Lance

I actually considered it but, realised that I was happy with my f58, but it’s good to hear it delivered what I hoped it would… I think it look far more refined now then back when I withdrew from it…

I've had my Argos for about 2 months now and have been loving it, the small compact form factor, very quiet operation, its all what I wanted without having to sacrifice shot quality! My only gripe aesthetically, is I wish the pressure transducer could be more hidden. You're pretty much spot on with everything in the video, though I did notice your steam LED is missing its cover 🤣

thank you lance :)

Mazzer Philos soon? Thanks for another great review

This machine looks ideal! All the considerations I could think of are addressed when it comes to lever machines. Clever people working on this one for sure. But hey, I'm super happy with my Silvia, been getting the most delicious cappuccino's lately.

damn something else in the coffee world I really want but could never afford! #Preesh all the knowledge you’ve taught us.

Feel like I learn so much everyone of his videos

excellent tutorial!!!!!!

I love the levers. One day I will upgrade from my Cafelat Robot.

Just gotten flair 58+ like 1-2 months ago and really enjoy using it. Now I see this one, really tempted!!!😅

Really sweet machine that seems to nail it regarding temp managment compared to a La Pav. I have to say though with the LP, the "Bong" Isolator really makes temp management much much easier. I have a isoloator and cranked my boiler pstat to about 1.25 bar. I use the really thin puck screen that coffee sensor sells, with a digital temp guage my lp has gone from a very frustrating experience to daily driver excellent coffee. You can also get a bleed valve its called the Air Buster, but with my current setup I get output of 37-40g as is. Also Lance your looking super buff! Good on ya :)

Can't wait!

ooh yes was waiting for this one

THIS AND THE ZERNO MATCH VERY WELL IN LOOKS! JUST SAYING! I'M SHOUTING BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO SPEAK OVER MY WALLET!

Watching this while drinking espresso ☕ Do I need a new machine? If I did this would be the one... damn it Lance!

Awesome work here, Lance.

Lance, I have followed your channel from the start. Always able to present and explain very clearly. You will make a great physics professor.

22:54. You can extend it even more with a big Fellini in the middle of a pull....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Go Hance !

Great b roll!

They can redesign and add a float to the funnel that will rise when the correct water level is achieved. No guessing and since it’s really important it makes sense.

So how different is portafilter from a standard 58mm? (Why would you use that odd included tamper?) Everything about this machine seems brilliant, only requiring an oddball portafilter is offputting.

Great, i was between Meticulous and BDB, now i have yet another machine to consider

I have a 1981 67 Cremina. I am getting another machine for the Airstream. Do a want the direct model? Would it make sense for the Argos to have sight glass for water level? How will I enjoy this WRT to the Cremina?

Would like to see them do a "design" version of this someday. Maybe an enclosing case, no exposed tubing, other features. Hire a good industrial designer to finesse it up a bit so it doesn't look like a lab experiment.

The team behind Argos are great!

In the cremini video Lance said that the fellini move disturbs the coffee puck. Why is it different on spring lever machines?

What's the difference between direct lever and spring vis a vis on control: I know I can do any pressure profiling with direct lever. With spring can I control preinfusion time and pressure? Can I (feel) puck resistance and decide the adequate pressure ?

@LanceHedrick where is the follow up video you mention uploading?

I was torn between this and the gaggiuino moving from a flair. Ended up going with the gaggiuino.

I'm wondering about the pressure profile for the Argo spring lever, it seems to decay very fast. The curves I've seen for the Profitec 800 decays more slowly between 9 and 5 or so bars, then quickly declines. They have a dual spring system, I wonder if what's why. In any case the two devices probably have a different taste and texture. It would be nice to explore.

Built in the USA is pretty sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. Thanks for the video.

When’s your Strietman review coming? I’m an owner and just curious to see your approach to manual lever shots.