Argos Update: October 27th, 2025
Hello Everyone,
It has been a busy stretch here at Odyssey with a mix of hardware refinements, software improvements, and process updates that all aim to make the Argos even more consistent, reliable, and enjoyable to use. From retrofitting light tubes and upgraded QC testing to smarter software control and a new Pressure Priority Mode, this update covers a lot of ground and continues our focus on long-term durability and user experience.
Shipping Updates
We’re currently shipping machines with serial numbers in the 1310’s. Remember that serial numbers are not the same as order numbers, as we have many orders that are for parts/merchandise. Order numbers were also reset when we switched website providers.
We’ve had a few delays in parts that resulted in not meeting our 80 machines shipped per month quota the past 2 months but we have a large batch of parts arriving in the next few weeks that will resolve this. Our upcoming shipment should keep us stocked through February 2026.
We’re happy to give a more detailed delivery estimate for your particular order if you email us at support@odysseyespresso.com.
Pricing Update
We have always been about steady, sustainable growth. Every improvement we make, from mechanical design to software control, is a step toward building a product and a company that can last. As global manufacturing conditions continue to shift, we want to stay ahead of potential fluctuations and ensure we can keep improving quality without disruption.
The Argos will move from $1,220 USD to $1,299 USD on November 3rd, 2025. This change helps us continue investing in improved designs, smarter processes, and the long-term sustainability of the business.
Hardware Updates:
Light Tube Development & Implementation
Over the summer we made a change to higher temperature rated LED indicators (120 °C), but we were still seeing failures on some machines where the top plate runs hotter from heavy use. One of our early customers recommended we look into fiber optic light tubes, and that turned out to be a great lead.
These tubes allow us to relocate the actual LED bulb about 1.5 inches (38 mm) below the top plate, keeping it much cooler and out of a direct conduction path. Initial testing with PMMA (acrylic) flexible light tubes was promising, though PMMA’s 90 °C working limit and 120 °C glass transition temperature meant we needed something more robust. We have since switched to clear silicone light tubes that can handle the heat long term.
We’ve just finished designing and 3D printing TPU adapters to mount the LEDs to the tubes cleanly, which we will begin assembling in-house while our supplier works on a matching molded version for production. These new light tube assemblies are backwards compatible with all existing machines and will be ready to ship as replacements for anyone with a failed LED soon. We already have a waitlist for this solution, but if you have LEDs that have failed and haven’t reached out to us please do so and we’ll add you to this list. Once they’re ready to ship we’ll start confirming shipping addresses and getting these out!. After consulting our electronics expert, we’re hopeful that this will be the most optimal long term solution with the least invasive change to design and assembly.
QC Process & Testing Protocols
We have updated our internal QC process to improve consistency and repeatability across technicians. One key change has been breaking the shot process into defined pre-infusion and extraction phases. Using our Scace setup, we now perform a standardized 5 g pre-infusion on all four calibration shots, regardless of time. This lets us measure both starting and peak temperatures in a consistent window and identify the exact offset needed for each machine.
By standardizing this process, we are seeing more uniform performance machine-to-machine and clearer feedback loops for offset adjustments.
Steam Manifold & Hydrostatic Test Fixtures
We recently finished building a dedicated steam manifold pressure testing fixture to streamline leak and integrity checks. This setup improves efficiency and allows us to verify anti-vacuum valve operation over the initial pressure ramp before final assembly.
In parallel, we are redesigning our hydrostatic test jig from wood to a full metal frame. The new jig will be more rigid, more durable, and allow faster setup and testing of both boilers and machines throughout the assembly process.
Steam Valve Improvements
We have tested a few different thread pitches on the steam valve needle with the goal of improving usability. While the coarsest pitch allowed the valve to open in half the number of turns, it introduced too much roughness in feel. We landed on a middle pitch that keeps operation smooth but still opens faster.
We also updated the internal thread depth so that steam begins to flow with minimal movement from closed, and we have refined the internal geometry for better o-ring longevity and reduced wear. These updates improve both feel and reliability.
Quick Start Guide Redesign
Our original quick start guide was more of a “what not to do” reference than an actual setup guide. We have completely rewritten it to clearly explain how to pull your first shot, step by step, while keeping the warnings and notes where they belong, in the right context. The new guide is much more visual and user-friendly. Check it out here!
Team & Operations
We have expanded our team with new hires in parts, customer service, and production tech roles. Everyone has come up to speed quickly, which has already helped improve our monthly build quotes and ensure parts orders go out in a timely manner.
Software Updates:
Fluid Level Probe & Scale Detection
We’ve been testing and will soon roll out a software update that refines how the machine detects water level. We recently discovered that the minerals in scale buildup have the ability to conduct electricity from the tip of the fluid level probe down to the boiler wall which was simulating conduction through water despite being empty. After testing, we’ve found a way to categorize the readings and allow the firmware to detect the electrical resistance caused by scale, thus triggering a rapidly flashing low fluid level light and eventually an in app notification.
Thermocouple Overshoot & Compensation
We recently started using shorter boiler thermocouples to simplify boiler assembly. The shorter thermocouple is slightly further away from the heating element which means its temperature readings are slightly delayed leading to overshooting of the brew temp. We’re working on a firmware update to automatically take this into consideration so that it’s backwards compatible with all machines.
PID Update – Low-Pass Filtering
At the same time, we will be adding a first order low pass filter to smooth out high frequency noise in the PID data. This should result in more stable temperature control and more efficient operation of the machine.
Acaia Scale App Update
We have fixed an issue that caused occasional gaps in Acaia scale data readout. The connection now reports data consistently, providing smoother and more accurate real time readings during a shot.
New “Pressure Priority Mode”
We are adding a third machine mode alongside Argos Mode and Classic Mode called Pressure Priority Mode.
This new option lets users set a target boiler temperature (and corresponding pressure) from approximately 1.25 bar to 2.25 bar in 0.25 bar increments, which translates to about 114 °C to 122 °C in 2 °C steps.
In this mode, the app will display a virtual grouphead temperature guide, a green bar wrapping around the grouphead dial, to show when the grouphead has reached a suitable temperature range for pulling your shot. If the boiler is set to 114 °C but the grouphead is still cool, you will see the indication reflect that. Users can either wait for natural conduction or perform a flush to speed things up. Think of this as a digital temperature strip that one might use on a La Pavoni grouphead to assist with temperature surfing.
The temperature LED will continue flashing until both the boiler temperature is reached and the grouphead is within that “sweet spot” range, helping users visually surf their way to a perfect shot every time.
While the Argos was designed to prioritize shot temperature, we recognize that some customers don’t appreciate the workflow that goes with this. After conducting some research on other dipper machines, it seems apparent that many people have little negative perception from a shot pulled at a much higher temperature yet lower pre-infusion pressure. Our software gives us the ability to simulate this for an improved multi shot workflow or those who keep their machine on for long periods of time.
Sincerely,
Ross & William