Potensic Atom 250G Drone - Reviewed - Punching Above Its Weight?

[@leenesbitt2505]

I just received this drone as a gift. I've never piloted a drone, but I can't imagine a better experience. Thanks for your thorough review!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries - happy flying. :)

[@GWills-ys6rd]

This is an excellent drone in terms of value and risk, especially for beginners. Not having collision avoidance actually increases focus on the flight in my view and adds some flexibility in terms of creative shots. If you do crash it, well it's not as bad as crashing a much more expensive drone with very similar features and limitations!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea, it's a nice bit of kit. Genuinely surprised me by how good it is. :)

[@johnmcconnell7179]

You have made my mind up with this great review. Thank you.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad I could help!

[@janhenkins]

I have the budget DJI Mini SE (since replaced by the Mini 2 SE) as well as the Atom you have reviewed here. The only thing that the DJI has that is arguably marginally better than the Potensic is a slightly larger camera sensor (1/2.3" for the DJI as opposed to 1/3" for the Potensic), which helps it eking out a little bit more dynamic range than the Potensic. Quality-wise they both sport Sony sensors, so it's not really possible to say one is substantially better than the other. Both capture very pleasant photos and videos. Where the Potensic pulls ahead of the DJI is in the special flight features (like pre-defined flight paths and various follow modes which I don't really use), and also the fact that the Potensic is not geo-fenced. Some people will say that this is a negative for Potensic, but as a responsible amateur photographer and nature lover I find that DJI's geo-fencing feature is more a hindrance than a help. For instance, I live within a flight restriction zone for RAF Kenley, an old WW2 aerodrome just south of London UK. The only flights operating from there are pulley-launched gliders a few days per year, and for me to have to submit a flight-plan every time I want to practise my precise drone maneuvering in my back yard (all of it low, below fence-height) just does not make sense. For the rest I preview and pre-plan all my flights using Drone Assist, making 100% sure I don't fly where my drone will create security incidents or raise privacy concerns. Therefore my Potensic gets all the air-time while my DJI Mini gathers dust.

[@Andyhutchinson]

There's similar geo-fencing issues here in Oz, with unmanned airfields that see bugger all activity for months on end.

[@ronprince1478]

Thanks Andy.

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries!

[@DaleK-j9g]

Andy ...i just bought one...i cant believe the capabilities !...i will buy a couple more!..............what beach were you at ?? dale

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks mate - it's a great little drone isn't it. That was Seven Mile Beach in south coast NSW. :)

[@kakman1958]

Interesting, I'd never heard of Potensic. I wonder if they'll come out with a 'pro' remote control with built in screen - I hate using my phone. Also curious which beach this is.

[@aesthetic8780]

I bought a refurbished Galaxy S7 Edge. It has 2k WQHD screen and the best colors I ever saw on a phone. I use it for drones, navigation and ATAK.

[@asfsfas2435]

14:55 Enable telemetry data, what does that mean? thanks

[@ANJUDY-l9x]

it looks no bad

[@cinny2222]

Does the Verticle / Horizotal set up have to be done every flight?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Nope.

[@Clive007]

Just to expand on Andy's reply, no it doesn't need it every flight, but if it does...It tells you!

[@jobasbasco1890]

Hi sir .new subscriber here from the philippines..i just want to ask if have you tried the max.range of potensic atom?in how many meters did its video and photo transmission lost or lagged?planning to buy one..

[@travellingjoey]

Maximum range in Australia is always within a Line of Sight. To test its maximum range beyond the LOS, Andy will get hit by thousands of dollars fine by CASA 😎

[@phkp_]

Which edit program do you use to optimize more the quality from the footages from the drone?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Absolutely nothing. They are straight off the SD-card and into Final Cut Pro X with no colour grading applied at all. :)

[@tomcat7525]

👍

[@procol1967]

After " looking " at numerous you tube reviews on this and the DJI equivalent, it seems the Potensic has a bit of an issue with the colour Green it , to me and others, seems oversaturated, too dense and not natural in almost every comparison. your thoughts ??

[@Andyhutchinson]

Can't say I noticed it, but I don't live in a part of the world with vast amounts of greenery! I guess they all have their idiosynracises - like the way DJI footage is over-sharpened even when set to 'soft'. :)

[@stealthtecify]

Unless it’s changed since you got this you missed that it actual comes with a mains charger plug (almost every other company would just give you a usb cable) oh and a Velcro /elastic strap to protect the props and some stickers lol Actually didn’t clock your not uk based your accent fooled me so maybe it’s different there

[@Andyhutchinson]

No it comes with that here in Australia too. Reason I didn't mention it is that I bollocks'd up the unboxing first time around and forgot to mention it on the re-do ;)

[@welsh-3286]

i had the atom Lt FOR £149 from amazon uk orignal price £199

[@justincase9665]

Potensic may have seen an opening because of this in the USA..Not law yet, but its working its way up the chain !! What is the DJI drone bill 2024? On June 18, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes the “Countering CCP Drones Act.” This bill aims to ban DJI drones by prohibiting their use of FCC communication infrastructure.Jun 25, 2024

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea I've been keeping an eye on that because what happens in the US usually happens here in Oz. I don't think Potensic would be immune to the bill though since they're another wholly Chinese company.

[@travellingjoey]

@@AndyhutchinsonIt shall not happen in Australia, you can believe it 😎 Also US DoD has an exemption to keep buying DJI products 🥱

[@DJKinney]

That isn't how you pronounce "behemoth" 😊

[@Andyhutchinson]

Depends where you live - I know for a fact that we'd say the word aluminium differently. :)