A Guide to Argos Batches: What's Different and How to Upgrade

Hello everyone,

We get a lot of questions about how machines from different batches compare, so we put together this guide. Below is a breakdown of what physically changed on the Argos across all four batches, along with which parts are backwards compatible if you want to upgrade an older machine.

Batch 1 (2023 – Oct 2024)

This was our original production run and the baseline design everything since has been measured against:

  • Original front cover with larger front tabs and no side tabs
  • Original piston linkage and Chicago-screw assembly pin
  • Original drip tray
  • Original base plate with generic hex key
  • First-generation LEDs (rated for lower heat, more prone to burnout)

 

Batch 2 (Oct 2024 – Feb 2025)

Our first major hardware redesign:

  • Front cover – smaller front tabs and mating slots to reduce visual gaps and additional side tabs to constrain the sides of the cover to the top and bottom plates
  • Piston linkage – longer stroke in direct configuration for higher yield (~50g shots)
  • Piston assembly pin – Chicago Screw changed to a "D"-shaped bolt head allow swapping with a single hex key
  • Drip tray – redesigned to sit centered under the grouphead, thicker material, improved grate to reduce splatter
  • Base plate – re-centered drip tray cutout, larger hex key pocket for Wera brand hex key, feet pockets, improved serial plaque fit
  • Top plate - larger portafilter cutout for easier installation and updated grouphead hole pattern for clearance
  • Grouphead – larger chamfer and groove diameter for simpler grouphead gasket swap, updated screw hole pattern for top plate mount
  • Restrictor valve – implemented into grouphead for consistent piston air bleeding
  • O-Rings - updated to EPDM material

Can I upgrade my Batch 1 machine? Partially.

Batch 3 (Feb 2025 – Present) 

Our longest batch, and where most of our reliability work happened:

  • Restrictor valve – removed 
  • O-rings - upgraded to silicone
  • LEDs – upgraded bulb and housing, rated to 120°C (up from ~80°C)
  • Fill tubes & heating elements  – improved fitment from supplier tooling changes

(Nov 2025)

  • Light tubes – LED bulb relocated about 1.5" away from the hot top plate via a flexible silicone light tube, keeping it out of the direct heat path entirely
  • Steam valve – updated thread pitch and internal geometry for smoother, faster-opening steam control

(Dec 2025)

  • Heating element material – changed to Incoloy 800, more heat-tolerant than the previous 316 stainless

(May 2026)

  • Fluid level probe – revised design for more reliable low-water detection
  • Anti-vacuum valve – switched to a Silicon Nitride ceramic ball for more reliable sealing and less water seepage during warm-up

(June 2026)

  • Drip tray corner seals – added to hold the V2 drip tray cover securely in place
  • Steam valve needle - internal valve needle updated to fit a larger o-ring for improved sealing with improved high temperature polyurethane material

Can I upgrade my Batch 1 or 2 machine? Mostly yes — nearly everything in Batch 3 is a drop-in part revision (LEDs + light tubes, valves, seals, fluid probe), and we've shipped these as free replacements to affected earlier customers rather than requiring a new machine. Reach out to support if you're not sure whether your machine qualifies for a specific part.

  • Steam valve needle (serial 1342 and higher): drop-in swap into your existing valve body — needle warranty replacement
  • Steam valve, full assembly (serial 1341 and earlier): requires replacing the whole valve (steam wand + valve body), a more involved swap — full Steam Valve V3

Batch 4 (Q4 2026)

Designs will be finalized and guaranteed to be included in new Batch 4 orders shipping Q4 of this year. 

  • Piston assembly – single tapered shoulder bolt design to replace chicago bolts for simpler swapping between spring and direct lever configurations
  • Optimized shower screen – improved flow dynamics for consistency

Can I upgrade my machine?

  • Both of these design changes will be backwards compatible into all previous batches.

If you're ever unsure which parts are compatible with your specific serial number, don't hesitate to reach out to support@odysseyespresso.com we're always happy to help you figure out what upgrades make sense for your machine.

Sincerely, Ross & William

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