My Cart
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Zeus Arc S Hub Review – P-P-P-Pod Power!
By
Alex Karakatsanis
Zeus Arc S Hub Review – P-P-P-Pod Power!
March 26, 2024
on
Portable Vaporizer Reviews, Reviews
Updated: March 26, 2024
Editors note: With Zeus Arsenal releasing the first of the new wave of 3rd generation vaporizers in the form of the Zeus Arc GT3, we’ve also had the opportunity to get our hands on its very similar but slightly toned down and more budget-friendly counterpart, the Zeus Arc S Hub.
Renowned for its exceptional manufacturing quality, this portable vaporizer is not just a marvel of engineering but also perfectly compatible with ArcPods, setting a new standard in the convenience of your sessions.
If you’re curious about how the S Hub stacks up against other vaporizers, we’ve got you covered. We highly recommend visiting our Best Portable Vaporizers page, where you can see a detailed comparison and understand why the Zeus Arc S Hub could be the perfect choice for your vaporizing needs.
Review: Zeus Arc S Hub
Table of contents
How it Works
If you’ve seen our Zeus Arc GTS Hub review, then you’ll already have a good idea on what to expect with the Arc S Hub. The kit contains a Zeus Hub which functions as a storage or travel case for the Zeus Arc S, the Zeus Xtruder, and 15 Zeus ArcPods which all come included in the kit.
Much like the Arc GTS, the Zeus Arc S is designed to work seamlessly with the Zeus Xtruder and ArcPods, both of which use a patented design that greatly elevates it over the standard dosing capsule. The only difference with the Zeus Arc S however is that it is designed for use with ArcPods only. Yeap that’s right you won’t be able to load loose dry herb into this variant, but it’s not all downsides however as the Zeus Arc S is also significantly cheaper than the Arc GTS.
Moving past all that, the Zeus Arc S functions very much like the Arc GTS where the included Zeus ArcPods are attached to the tail end of the Xtruder which then grinds dry herb and loads the ArcPod simultaneously. The result is a smooth and effortless grinding and loading experience.(ArcPod Lid pack can be purchased separately when in need of replacement for the original paper lids.)
Ease of Use
Accessibility is the name of the game where the Zeus Arc S Hub is concerned. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned dry herb veteran or a total beginner when it comes to vaporization; the process laid out by the Zeus Arc S Hub is simple, convenient, and consistent to the point it provides reliable and effortless results each and every time.
Something very new in the vaping space is the claim by Zeus Arsenal regarding their self-dubbed 3rd generation vaporizers and how they simplify the entire dry herb vaping process. It’s not a stretch to say that the goal they laid out for themselves here is to make the entire process of consistently grinding dry herb and effortlessly loading it into the ArcPods as easy as possible. In that regard, we can confidently say that they’ve succeeded.
ArcPods are attached to the Zeus Xtruder which essentially acts as an herb mill which also loads or fills the ArcPod while you grind. Using some type of patented design wizardry, the ArcPod automatically ejects from the Xtruder once it’s reached its full capacity. And in case you were wondering, each ArcPod we’ve filled managed to hold exactly 0.3 grams of dry herb once ejected.
Quite frankly we’re very impressed with the consistent results this setup has displayed so far. Longtime connoisseurs might be able to accurately eyeball the same desired amount when it comes to filling their dosing capsule or heating chamber, but newbies will definitely appreciate just how easily the Xtruder and ArcPod combo manages to deliver consistent and reliable results.
Much like the Arc GT3, powering on the Zeus Arc S requires close to no learning curve whatsoever. The singular power button cycles the vaporizer on and off while effortlessly switching between the temperature presets with no problem. After loading up the Arc S with a filled ArcPod, simply power it on, wait for the vaporizer to get up to temp and vibrate (takes about 80 seconds, as advertised), then simply puff away!
Temperature Flexibility
It doesn’t look like Zeus Arsenal has done anything to mess with the formula that worked so well with the old Zeus Arc GT. The Zeus Arc S features the same suite of temperature presets which fire at 205°C, 215°C, and 225°C with the default firmware. While these work great out of the box, heading over to the Zeus website gives you a plethora of options for configuring the Zeus Arc S after which a simple firmware download will be all you’ll need to get started with the new presets. Just like the Zeus Arc GT3, the Zeus Arc S also features custom firmware best suited for water pipes such as the Zeus Iceborn.
Despite its lower price point, the Zeus Arc S doesn’t falter in performance when matched up against its more expensive brother. It features the same 80 second heat up time, haptic feedback, and a motion sensor that lets the Arc S know that you haven’t picked it up in a while after which it’ll automatically shut off.
Vapor Quality
The Zeus Arc S uses the same patented ArcPod tech that worked so well with the Zeus Arc GT3 so we weren’t really surprised to find that vapor performance is every bit just as good.
Offering comparable or sometimes even better flavour quality and vapor output compared to devices such as the Utillian 722. There’s practically no learning curve at all when inhaling from the mouthpiece and draws are smooth and effortless.
Speaking of the mouthpiece, the one used on the Zeus Arc S does a great job of isolating heat from the vapor path. Even after extended use, the mouthpiece only felt slightly warm and not uncomfortable at all to inhale from.
Another amazing hack that takes the Zeus Arc S to the next level is the option to pair your device with the Utillian Bubbler. Attach the bubbler to the Arc via a waterpipe adapter, and the Utillian 2 bubbler attachment that comes included with the bubbler itself. Pairing these elements together will allow for water-filtered vapor similar to that of an E Rig. The water filtration will add to the already stellar vapor quality by cooling your hits and providing bigger clouds.
Manufacturing Quality
Fans of premium feeling portable vaporizers will find lots to love with the Zeus Arc S. The aluminum alloy housing has a pleasant satin texture which we’re guessing has a lot to do with the high quality hard anodized finish that’s been used. Unlike most vaporizers which are plastic or powder-coated metal, the finish on the Zeus Arc S is a bit more resistant to scratches so we’re confident in saying that the entire package should stay pretty for a much longer time.
While the Zeus Arc S doesn’t come with the gold branding that the Arc GT3 offers, the stainless steel accents still offer an elegant and high-quality touch to a relatively budget-oriented vaporizer.
The Zeus Arc S Hub does come with the same exact Zeus Xtruder found with the Arc GT3. This means that it features the same predominantly food grade plastic build albeit with durable precision made blades that do a great job of keeping an edge to grind up dry herbs with ease.
Zeus Arsenal has noted that the Xtruder works best with dry herbs that have been stored at a humidity level of 58% or lower. We experimented a bit with this claim and tried out some of our improperly stored bud which had gotten moist after some time. We conclude that it did take longer to grind the aforementioned bud to perfect consistency.
Battery Life
The Zeus Arc S features the same powerful 3500mAh lithium-ion battery found inside the Zeus Arc GT3. Power usage and efficiency are pretty much identical across all their Arc devices and only vary when using custom firmware. Overall we’re very happy with the results.
On a full charge, the Zeus Arc S manages to pack a whole day’s worth of sessions although your mileage may vary depending on just how much you vape. For those that find it lacking, the Zeus Arc S charges to 100% under 2 hours via USB so those that have a nearby USB power supply or power bank handy shouldn’t have a problem.
Unfortunately, the Zeus Arc S still uses a Micro USB port instead of the updated and more modern Type C connector, which is a standard on the market nowadays. The new Zeus Arc GT3 now includes a USB-C, indicating its alignment with the current standard among high-end vaporizers in the market.
Portability
Given the power output and battery capacity of the Zeus Arc S, this thing is tiny, measuring out to a mere 87mm x 42mm x 22.5mm. It’s easily one of the most pocketable dry herb vaporizers in its performance bracket, although the Tronian Milatron might be a direct competitor to the Arc S in this regard.
The Zeus Hub also lends an extra hand thanks to its custom cutouts that comfortably house not just the Zeus Arc S, but the included Xtruder and ArcPods in place. It’s a great storage and travel solution all in one. And while the plastic build might seem questionable at first, it feels durable enough and does wonders to keep things lightweight overall.
Discreetness
While the black and gold aesthetic of the Arc GT3 might appeal to most, we’re actually bigger fans of how the stainless steel plays off the black finish on the Zeus Arc S. It’s definitely less obtrusive and should help many sneaky vapers vaporize discreetly when outside the home.
Just like the Zeus Arc GT3, the Zeus Arc S still packs a punch at default settings so make sure you dial the temperature down if you’re not looking to be noticed while vaporizing. While the odor is still diminished compared to smoking dry herb, it’ll definitely be noticeable if you’re puffing away on this thing like a chimney.
Overall Experience
The Zeus Arc S stands out as a high-performing vaporizer at a more accessible price point, rivaling the capabilities of its pricier sibling, the Zeus Arc GT3. However, it’s important to note that with the Zeus Arc S, you’re committing to using ArcPods exclusively, meaning the option to vaporize loose dry herb isn’t available. Despite some reservations about such setups, the efficiency and ease of the ArcPods, especially in combination with the Xtruder, make it a compelling choice, although it still retains the less desirable Micro USB port.
For those who are comfortable within the Zeus ArcPod ecosystem, the Zeus Arc S is an excellent value, offering significant savings compared to the Zeus Arc GT3. However, if you’re still inclined towards vaping loose dry herb, you might consider the higher investment in the Zeus Arc GT3, which offers the flexibility to vape without ArcPods and can be purchased with a revolutionary Xtruder E-Module. This thing grinds your dry herb automatically, meaning you get rid of the manual dry herb grinding, which is in our opinion, a blessing and a true revolution in the dry herb world.
Additionally, for users who prefer the versatility of loose dry herb, the Tronian Milatron is an excellent alternative. Not only is it as portable, if not more so than the Arc S, but it’s also more budget-friendly.
To see how the Zeus Arc S compares with other top-tier vaporizers, don’t forget to check out our Best Portable Vaporizers page, where you can weigh its features and price against other models in the market.
That’s all for now. Thank you for reading this Zeus Arc S Hub review, and as always: Keep Vapin’!
Score
Awesome
Share.
