Potensic Atom SE: Honest Drone Review

[@MichaelBarber-x9m]

I have had mine now for almost 3 months now and love it. Flys great and the video quality is amazing 💯😀😀. Long battery time and long range as well. Thank you so much for the wonderful review and God bless 🙏

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chrishightower221]

This was my first drone and man, I got a good one. I admittedly didn't spend days researching like I normally do, but Amazon's return policy made it easy. Finding videos like this really solidifies the decision I made as being good. One thing I would like more information on is the different blades. They show different numbers on the sets, so I bet they each have a unique property about them. Excellent review, as well!

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks! The numbers on the props refer to the rotation. You MUST match the props to the numbers on the arms. Note that the motors rotate in opposite directions from side to side and front to back....sorry, difficult to explain this succinctly.

[@wongkingshun]

I brought a dji first. But think atomic would be the same that comes cheaper

[@MichaelBarber-z8f]

I recently purchased this wonderful and amazing drone. I'm really impressed with the performance and video 💯 quality. Great battery time and long range. Fly's like a professional drone almost. But still a great beginner drone or just to have for fun. Thank you so very much and God bless 🙏.

[@DonJoyce]

Cool! Have fun and enjoy this great hobby!!

[@belovedevans]

I like the voice prompt too. Thanks for sharing Don.

[@DonJoyce]

Yes, the voice feedback is great for certain operations like the calibration.

[@markspinner7220]

I just ordered with 2 batteries for $240 US. Can’t wait to try it. My first drone👍🏻

[@DonJoyce]

Have fun...but be careful on your first few flights!

[@95np23]

I bought your guide as a thanks for producing these videos. you're a gem Don. thank you so much.

[@DonJoyce]

I very much appreciate the support, Nitish!

[@allensmith2143]

It's hard to be happy with video footage like this, it's too shaky and the horizon is terrible. Similar drones dji mini 2 se and fimi x8 mini v2 perform well.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

I totally agree. If a camera drone is promising 4k footage with "shake vanish" software, the implication is that the resulting footage is worthy of something more than maybe a Bigfoot sighting video, or something similarly shaky. 😅

[@jerrychisholm8565]

man u crazy ! this drone is so awesome , this is my favorite drone hands down , i got the fly more combo wit 3batteries and hub ..

[@radiocontrolled9181]

No, the price is not very close. You have to add the cost of one DJI battery to the DJI price because the Atom SE comes with two batteries. And a carrying case as well. I'm getting the Atom 2024 - they added the stabilization gimbals! Brilliant! Nice review well done my man!! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for sharing

[@barbarajoyce6865]

Looks like a nice little drone. Great review Don

[@DonJoyce]

Yes, great flyer and great controller. But without gimbal camera stabilization, it's over priced.

[@libmananchannel]

Hello ``Don Joyce''! Thank you for showing us such a wonderful video! I feel so happy! I'm looking forward to your next work! Have a nice day!

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks!

[@bocfat]

everything about looks good but the 2 axis vs 3 gimbal and video quality for me I will reluctantly have to spend more, but its a lot for its new price point! This video was really helpful.

[@DonJoyce]

Potensic has released a new drone called simply the Potensic Atom that has a 3-axis stabilized gimbal. Here's my review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3u2qX-rfquUq5Y

[@Aerosnapper]

Great review with realistic and honest appraisals. Totally agree with you about the sticking point on price. DJI have such a strong reputation for quality and reliability that a competitor has to beat them on price by some margin to establish its own quality through use. The absence of an operating gimbal is also a big drawback by comparison with the market leader. Perhaps OK for still images, but few people really want to see video looking like it was taken with an FPV drone.

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Mike. Yes, good summary...but that said there is a market segment for drone beginners who just can't justify the extra bucks to get a DJI.

[@mosheyeru9652]

Thanks Don! Real nice clip

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks!

[@HikeFly22]

nice review. looks like a good starter

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks! Yes it does!

[@DroneViewsMedia]

Definitely not a bad drone, but in these days of 3axis gimbals being everywhere, I don't know if I could recommend it over something like a Mini 2 SE

[@DonJoyce]

Exactly!

[@Amithrius]

Great video Don. Just wondering ...how do you feel about minerals?

[@DonJoyce]

Minerals are wonderful.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

​@@DonJoyce😅 hahaha

[@martinconvery]

The antannae not fully extended, and the launch spot not in the centre of the pad... Killing me and my OCD!!

[@JBrierley02]

I’d have to agree. For anyone interested in video the drone just plain doesn’t make the cut at that price point, actually at any price point really. The gimbal makes a HUGE difference. Still, maybe a competitor to the DJI if they can get that done and keep it under 250 g.

[@DonJoyce]

Wouldn't it be amazing if they could enhance it with a gimbal.

[@RonaldBrown59]

It seems like a decent Mini drone, and nice for a beginner. But I agree with you, it's overpriced for what you get, especially for a drone without a gimbal and below average EIS. Good review Don

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Ron!

[@Fr4nkWh1te]

Nice review! Does it have a digital zoom? Do you know, how it compared to the Fimi Mini V2, noise-wise?

[@DonJoyce]

It doesn't have a digital zoom.

[@Fr4nkWh1te]

@@DonJoyce Many thanks for the reply!

[@charleshatmaker4425]

Great stuff thanks

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Charles!

[@oNeHanDGuN]

i just ordered this drone and will get it on wednesday..but i have a question can we change the landing position? sorry for stupid questionand thank you!

[@DonJoyce]

You can land the drone wherever you wish. Have fun!

[@mayberrywj]

Nice review Don.....:)

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Bill!

[@mast3rbug]

Are you sure you have a class 10 sd card (U3) ? I had the jumpy image too when I had only U1 type card. You need U3.

[@DonJoyce]

All my micro SD cards are class 10 U3.

[@TeeEmmCee]

It seems like a pretty good little machine after what you have shown, Don. For beginning flyers I think that the $90 price difference (if the sale price holds) compared to the DJI model will be enough for folks to decide on the Potensic Atom SE. It has all the right capabilities and therefore an excellent choice.

[@DonJoyce]

Exactly, Tom. And it does come with 2 batteries...which makes a big difference.

[@richardpalmer4594]

Drones are like many other things, you get what you pay for. No gimbal is a deal breaker.

[@DonJoyce]

True, but they did come out with a model with a 3-axis gimbal, for not much more money: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3u2qX-rfquUq5Y

[@haseebdailyvlogs2207]

Awesome 😍👍

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you!

[@dwgreenberg]

Don, did you forget the “We Roll?”

[@DonJoyce]

LOL...no I didn't forget the We Roll, David! For some videos, like this one, 'native' content (ie stuff filmed with this drone) makes more sense. There IS We-Roll in the next video, coming out Jun 10! Glad to hear folks are looking for it!

[@RichardDuryea]

I just returned mine. I was getting really grainy footage.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

Yeah, it's just a bad drone. I gave it a decent second chance, but I'm still getting hate because I didn't like it. 😕 Just can't win! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn_CdX-qpdiEorc

[@mikehawk9156]

​@@SunriseWaterMediaMaybe because it's highly rated elsewhere. Including Facebook page ,where 4k members love it.

[@guitarguy7283]

Is there a way how to do cool flips 360 tricks? Manually, on the controller, on the app????

[@DonJoyce]

No

[@Acheron2010]

Any issue with calibrating a drone compass with the controller or phone so close to the unit?

[@DonJoyce]

No problem at all..

[@JUANORQUIO]

W❤W! That's Great Review! Cheers!🥂❤✨

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Juan!

[@Falconurbex]

Does this work on bluetooth when ur out or does it need internet connextion sorry for asking im new to drones lol any info would be greatfully appriciated

[@DonJoyce]

Drones like this have a radio connection between the controller and the aircraft. Your phone is connected via a USB cable. You only need an internet connection to see the map view.

[@Falconurbex]

Many thanks brother i appriciate that information

[@DOM_4GOOD]

10:47 the camera is not going back to horizon ? @ 12:20 , same thing, not leveled.

[@DonJoyce]

Yes, the AIS seems to stabilize the image in whatever orientation it can, rather than doing any sort of horizon or gyro correction. And since it moves over time, it would be very tough to fix in post-production.

[@northeastdroneproductions]

Looks like a pretty good drone. Yeah but at that price point, probably not. Great review Don😀

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks Matt! (Btw I'm answering while waiting for a tour of Kingston Pen! Hope they let me out...)

[@northeastdroneproductions]

@@DonJoyce 🤣good luck

[@davidbailey8484]

SD Card about $40 @Target, and your iPad charger will work nicely.

[@davidbailey8484]

Level it out in Final Cut Pro MacBook

[@joehiatt1992]

Just ordered the Atom & got a very good deal,dji protects their pricing too much which is too snobby for me,good to see competition,xtra battery ,case,the camera is not a deal breaker & also the price just kills the dji for me

[@DonJoyce]

Cool! I'm sure you will enjoy the Atom!

[@truckergilligangilligan5877]

Where did you find the good deal? I'm looking to get one

[@Evol1HipHop]

@@truckergilligangilligan5877Amazon has the Fly More kit for $290 with a $40 off coupon…I’m very heavily considering it right now…Amazon makes return so easy that I’ll likely get it to try it out. I’ve been looking at the DJI 2 SE for a few months and was going to wait for Black Friday, but the 4K and follow me options are superior to what the DJI 2 SE offers. I’m a bit hard pressed on pulling the trigger, but I may just…

[@videotubefreak]

@@Evol1HipHopMay I ask what did you end up getting ? Any of these ? I’m in the same position. Looking at this and the dji mini 2 se, but the combo pack comes to a 40 or 50 dollars less than the standard dji mini 2 se. But the dji does have the gimbal

[@Evol1HipHop]

​@@videotubefreak I ordered the Atom SE the week before the Atom (Non SE, now with 3 Axis Gimbal) came out. I ended up returning the Atom SE and sitting on my decision because the Atom wasn't available on Amazon yet. I considered ordering it from Potensic directly, but using my Amazon Prime Visa for points was too tempting. Just before Thanksgiving, I noticed that both the Potensic Atom and the DJI Mini 2 SE were on sale, and I had a hard time deciding, but looking into the warranty options for both, I decided to go with the DJI Mini 2 SE because the price difference between those two wasn't as great as between the Atom SE & Mini 2 SE. I've had it for a couple of weeks and I'm super happy with it. I bought the 2 year DJI Care plan since it covers quite a bit, and got the Fly More package. The build quality was pretty close, if I'm going to be honest. A few things to note: 1. I believe the Potensic Atom does offer true 4k @ 30fps, while the DJI Mini 2 SE maxes out at 2.7k @ 30fps. This didn't matter much to me, as it's just a first time drone that I'm using to get a feel for things. I've compared the videos for both videos and the quality differential is negligible, imo. I'm not into 4k videos much anyway. 2. The price of the Mini 2 SE is a bit higher, but I think on the day of purchase, it was maybe a $70 difference. This may or may not be a deal breaker, depending on your financial situation. 3. The Mini 2 SE doesn't have any follow me options, while the Atom and even the Atom SE do. A big con for the Atom SE is the fact that it doesn't have a gimble and the horizon misalign is super apparent. It has it's proprietary "ShakeVanish" Electronic Stabilization, but that can't do much for extreme pitch horizon changes. All in all, I don't think the Potensic Atom would be a bad choice to start, but its price proximity to the Mini 2 SE makes it a more difficult decision. If true 4k and follow me is important to you, go with the former. If the warranty, which covers damages fly-away replacements etc (although it's $60 for 2 years) matters then get the latter. I wouldn't recommend the Atom SE if the tilted horizon situation will bug you, but it wasn't bad other than it not having a gimbal. I feel like I gave you a lot of information without really saying much, lol. I'll just say that I'm happy with the DJI Mini 2 SE and I'm going to keep this one. Sorry. Haha

[@lezbriddon]

looks like a v2 fimi mini but 2/3rds the price, i'd give the fimi the win on camera

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for sharing.

[@guitarguy7283]

Can I buy a gimbal for the camera?

[@DonJoyce]

No

[@john-wq8kf]

To use that old expression seems to good to be true, no I’ll give this drone a miss

[@MrVeinless]

Already back up in price.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

Very thorough video, Don. 👍 19:08 You mentioned it's not jiggly. What do you mean by that? Here is an example similar to my experience.... Not smooth at all 16:03

[@DonJoyce]

Jiggly: Other drones I've flown that don't have gimbal stabilization have totally shakey video, with every tiny move of the drone resulting in the video shaking. While this drone's view was not always 'straight' with a nice horizon, at least it wasn't totally shakey...which is what I meeant by 'not jiggly'.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

@@DonJoyce Ah gotcha. Maybe it's closer to "jerky" LOL When I've tried to get decent footage, maybe I get 5 seconds before it twitches.

[@DMAC026]

Got mine potensic se for $120 & dji 2se for $338

[@DonJoyce]

Wow! Great deal!

[@Falconurbex]

Does it have follow mode

[@DonJoyce]

It claims to have "Follow Me, Waypoint Flight, and Circle Flight". I did not test any of these features.

[@johnh5910]

Yes it does and works well, just keep the drone within a 150 feet when using that mode

[@driewiel]

@@johnh5910 No it doesn't work well. It only follows from behind, what I call 'string type'. Only 'compass type' is usable in real life so you can have it fly in front or next to you. I don't have eyes in the back of my head to see what it is doing and avoid hazards. I'm not sure you can use the sticks in follow-me mode. But that's what you want. Then the super important dynamic homepoint update. Does it have that? You don't want having to race back up a mountain to where it took off before a truck runs it over. That simply isn't an option. My $130 L109 Pro does everything exactly right! Unfortunately the camera and especially gimbal are low quality. I wish it had the camera and EIS of this Atom SE. Just shows drone manufacturers and reviewers ( and consumers) don't have clue how follow-me should and can work. Has nothing to do with the price. This Atom SE could have been a real alternative to a DJI. Now it's just a worse video drone.

[@johnh5910]

@@driewiel This is a entry level drone, follow mode works well enough for entry level use. Correct the features are basic. The Atom SE undercuts the cheapest DJI. Can't have all the features in this model. If you want more tech features, gimbal etc you're gonna pay for it.

[@driewiel]

@@johnh5910 Not having a gimbal but only EIS is in fact what I like about this Atom SE. Makes it much easier to carry i your pocket of bike bag. Hikers and bikers don't use carrying cases. Too bulky. Only noobs cry about the gimbal. Actually EIS is more expensive than the gimbal. $100 have gimbals these days. What I mean is the 'string' type of follow-me. If you were to fly my $130 LYZRC L109 Pro you would fully agree it does the follow-me much better as it is 'compass' type. Without obstacle avoidance you want to be able to put the drone in view. String type will yaw and slide away and then follow from behind where you can't see it. But with compass type it will stay north south east west of you. Follow-me is kinda my specialty. I know what i'm talking about. The majority of drone manufacturers and reviewers don't. If they were to try my L109 Pro they too would immediately acknowledge that compass type is the only usable follow-me in real life. It's not more programming code or whatever. Same work, same money. Then of course there must be a dynamic homepoint update. Without it you get far. You may just as well stay home and film your garden. But maybe the Atiom SE works flying it manually from a bike? I can't tell. It appears as if the controller has a nice secure phone mount. And it has an SD card so you can fly it without the phone. I often do. So hop on a bike and see what you think of your Atom SE. How quick can you get it in the air? Trust me, on a bike trip you're not going to spend an hour for a minute drone footage. You want an as easy to fly drone as possible. with compass type follow-me at the push of a button. Watch people on KZbin riding bicycles around the world. nobody uses DJI active-track. They try it once and after that they won't bother. DJI also doesn't have a clue how things work in real life situations. And BTW. The Atom SE isn't really budget., But a DJI Mini SE with extra battery and DJI Care Refresh and and storage case and maybe Litchi or Maven is well over $500. That's double the price of the Atom SE. It's worth it! But people should stop comparing. And they should stop crying about it not having a gimbal. They're all noobs. What they should complain about is the wrong type of follow-me and the lack of a dynamic homepoint. If the Atom SE had that it would be a fantastic hiker/biker drone.

[@mikehawk9156]

Comparing potensic atom se combo price to to mini 2 se basic package is ridiculous.

[@DonJoyce]

For what reason? I make it clear the differences.

[@mikehawk9156]

@@DonJoyce You said price was close.Then you showed potensic atom with 2 batteries. Which is the more expensive combo version.1 battery mini 2 se is cheaper version.

[@DonJoyce]

@@mikehawk9156 ah! Interesting. At the time, the Potensic combo with 2 batteries was the cheapest combo.

[@LiveMyJourneyTom]

Cool review but the product itself is pretty pointless at this price point.

[@DonJoyce]

Well, as a starter, it does have a position in the market.

[@lasersbee]

Too expensive for no Gimbal....

[@DonJoyce]

Exactly.

[@derekcox6531]

Nice review Don. The battery life seems very acceptable for the drone. As well,I think the video quality looked pretty good. That price though.😬 the DJI products are just typically so strong that it is a difficult market to crack for other drone makers. It seems like a dandy drone,but the price is hard to get past for what it is.🫤

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Derek. Yes, the video quality is quite good, although (aside from the lack of gimbal) the bit rate is surprisingly low (53mbps) and the only manual adjustment is EV.