The next Potensic Atom 2 assessment was written by Jay Mathews, licensed Half 107 drone pilot, proprietor of Aces Up Drones in Las Vegas with a particular curiosity in Drone Soccer and STEM pathways for training and workforce growth, and Vets to Drones Member.
FTC Disclaimer: That is my private drone, and I obtained no fee or endorsement from Potensic for this assessment.
The Potensic Atom 2 is a sub-250-gram client drone positioned as a finances different to DJI’s Mini sequence. At $300-$520 relying on configuration, it targets first-time drone consumers and informal content material creators who need 4K video capabilities with out spending $700+ on a DJI Mini 4 Professional.
Fast specs:
- Weight: 249g (no FAA registration for leisure use*)
- Digital camera: 48MP photographs, 4K/30fps HDR video.
- Flight time: 32 minutes (claimed) / 25-27 minutes in real-world situations
- Vary: 10km (producer declare)
- Worth: $300-$500
*Requires FAA registration if used commercially or should you add exterior parts like strobes for night time flying.
Who can purchase the Potensic Atom 2?
This drone is smart for:
- Full learners who need to study drone flying and not using a main funding
- Informal vacationers who need aerial footage for private use
- Hobbyists who fly often and prioritize worth over cutting-edge options
- Customers who don’t want integration with skilled flight logging software program
- Drone pilots searching for a DJI different
Who ought to skip the Potensic Atom 2?
Skip this drone if:
- You propose to fly commercially and want dependable flight logs (it doesn’t export to AirData or comparable providers)
- You steadily fly in difficult situations the place connection reliability is crucial
- You need essentially the most superior impediment avoidance and monitoring options
- You’re prepared to spend $200-300 extra for DJI’s ecosystem and help
Potensic Atom 2 digicam: higher than anticipated for the value
The 1/2-inch Sony CMOS sensor lets you shoot in 8K picture and 4K video. These options make this finances drone really feel upgraded past its worth level.
What works:
- 8K photographs present strong element for social media and informal printing
- F1.8 aperture improves low-light efficiency in comparison with cheaper drones
- AI Night time mode genuinely helps with night pictures, decreasing noise noticeably
- Vertical capturing mode is helpful for Instagram and TikTok content material
What doesn’t:
- 4K video is capped at 30fps (no 60fps possibility for smoother movement)
- Dynamic vary is restricted in comparison with higher-end drones
- With out an ND filter, footage in vivid situations appears to be like washed out
- The gimbal isn’t as easy as DJI’s stabilization
Ought to I purchase filters for the Potensic Atom 2?
Sure. Finances an additional $20-40 for ND filters should you’re severe about video high quality.
You may management minor adjustment settings earlier than and through flight, however an ND filter is crucial if you wish to add extra element to your photographs. The photographs under present the dramatic distinction—these have been taken with and with out the ND filter with no additional changes made. Including any picture modifying software program would make these photographs stand out much more.
Potensic doesn’t really make filters for his or her drones, however third-party firms do. I used the RCGEEK ND Filters Set for DJI Mavic, which was additionally appropriate with the Potensic Atom 2. The most effective half? These filters have been simply $20.
AI modes: genuinely helpful (not simply advertising)
Not like some finances drones that slap “AI” on primary options, the Atom 2’s clever modes really improve the flying expertise.
AI Monitor works properly for following a topic or making cinema-quality pictures, permitting the person to unlock their minds to create and seize these gorgeous comply with pictures with out worrying concerning the controller. The three modes (Highlight, Comply with, Parallel) present inventive choices when you perceive how every behaves. It’s not as locked-on as DJI’s ActiveTrack, however it’s purposeful for leisure use.
AI night time mode additionally provides to the expertise by intuitively making changes for nighttime capturing, decreasing noise and including gentle to darkish areas. Don’t anticipate miracles — it’s nonetheless a small sensor — however night pictures are usable the place they’d be unusable with out it. You’ll discover a distinction in low-light capturing, brightening shadows and decreasing noise.
The distant controller choice: Is the display screen price $120?
Potensic affords two controller choices, and this selection considerably impacts your expertise and finances.
RC PT-1 (cellphone mount controller): $299-$399
- You present the cellphone
- Decrease price
- Acquainted interface should you’re used to cellphone screens
RC PTD-1 (built-in 5.5″ display screen): $399-$499
- Constructed-in display screen eliminates cellphone battery drain
- Higher visibility in vivid daylight
- Extra dependable connection (one much less wi-fi hyperlink)
- Quicker setup—no cellphone mounting
I bought this cheaper model, that means I needed to depend on my iPhone 13 Professional because the show. The twine must be secured and there’s a little motion. My specific iPhone mannequin doesn’t enable for rapid picture switch, which suggests I additionally have to obtain from the microSD card to my laptop computer. Nevertheless, newer iPhone fashions (14+) are supported by way of Potensic’s SmartTransfer characteristic.
Regardless of the extra price, the built-in display screen controller is price it should you’re shopping for the Fly Extra Combo anyway. After utilizing associates’ gadgets and seeing the way it was a extra seamless expertise, I do want I had paid the additional $120 for the model that has the built-in display screen. The built-in display screen eliminates the effort of mounting your cellphone and gives improved display screen visibility. Realizing that the majority different drones supply an built-in display screen on the controller, it will likely be a key consideration in my subsequent buy.
Each sorts of screens present the wanted element in flight, together with satellite tv for pc data, battery proportion, time remaining, elevation, distance, velocity, and—most significantly—the house level locator.
Right here’s a have a look at the display screen from my iPhone:
What it’s like flying the Potensic Atom 2
The Potensic Atom 2 flies easily underneath regular situations (mainly little to no wind). When flying with the controller, you possibly can simply modify the management settings of the joysticks.
How does the Potensic Atom 2 deal with wind?
Though light-weight, the drone withstood wind gusts as much as 24 mph in my trial. When it obtained windier than {that a} warning on my display screen notified me of serious winds and a suggestion to lower altitude. Though flying on this situation may have an adversarial impact on the battery life, it does give the brand new pilot a way of confidence if put right into a barely uncomfortable scenario.
How lengthy does the Potensic Atom 2 battery final
Neglect the 32-minute declare. You’ll undoubtedly need to buy extra batteries for any sustained flying and filming.
In real-world eventualities, flight time drops to as little as 25-27 minutes underneath regular flying situations, and even much less when going through wind, capturing longer movies, or altering between flying modes (regular, video, and sport). The Fly Extra Combo provides you over 90 minutes of mixed flight time while you add up all three batteries — primarily making it obligatory for significant flying periods.
Connections drops
For learners, going a protracted distance away is nerve-wracking. The producer states as much as 10km distance, nevertheless, throughout testing I obtained a number of on display screen messages relating to sign power.
Particularly as a brand new person, watch out of terrain options, the place connections could be much more challenged. Check the space on a identified, open platform earlier than traversing hills or different terrain.
Use of third social gathering providers (or lack thereof)
That is the principle space the place skilled pilots will probably be disillusioned. Potensic retains all flight knowledge inner to their app with no straightforward export to third-party providers like AirData.
I reached out to the Potensic crew about this precise difficulty, however as a substitute my communications left me annoyed that there was no straightforward approach to obtain my flight knowledge.
Why this issues: For industrial pilots who have to log flight hours for FAA Half 107 compliance, this creates pointless friction. Flight logging providers like AirData assist pilots observe complete flight time, preserve upkeep data, and analyze flight patterns—none of that are simply accessible with the Potensic system. Leisure flyers received’t miss this characteristic, however it’s a dealbreaker for professionals.
Worth comparability and bundle worth
| Bundle | Value | What’s Included | When to decide on this mannequin |
| Customary Package (RC PT 1) | $359, discounted to $299 | Drone, 1 battery, potential to work along with your cellphone as a controller, primary equipment | Provided that you already personal spare batteries |
| Customary Package (RC PTD 1) | $479 discounted to $399 | Drone, 1 battery, display screen controller, primary equipment | Skip it — one battery isn’t sufficient |
| Fly Extra Combo (RC PT 1) | $479 discounted to $399 | Drone, cellphone controller 3 batteries, charging hub, bag, extra equipment | Greatest worth for many consumers |
| Fly Extra Combo (RC PTD 1) | $599 discounted to $499 | Drone, 3 batteries, charging hub, display screen controller, bag, extra equipment | Greatest total bundle if finances permits |
I bought the Potensic Atom 2 Fly Extra Combo (RC PT 1), which is what this assessment is based off of.
What’s that strobe? Eager eyes may discover I additionally mounted a strobe from a third-party to my drone, which is clearly not included. I used the Firehouse Expertise ARC V Drone Strobe Anti-Collision Gentle strobe. I selected this strobe in case of any twilight or night time flights the place an anti-collision strobe is required. This strobe complies with rules for 3 state mile visibility, and was a light-weight, detachable possibility. It will possibly additionally help in visible observations of daytime flight at low altitude and longer distance.
General impression: a great drone if you already know the constraints
The Potensic Atom 2 is an entry stage drone full of upgrades and is a good newbie drone for the hobbyist, a brand new pilot seeking to get stick time, or for the skilled photographer trying so as to add extra to their arsenal. The 4K digicam high quality, AI monitoring options, and sub-250g weight make it a strong entry level for drone flying.
Nevertheless, the connection reliability points and lack {of professional} flight logging help imply this isn’t a drone you’ll develop into should you get severe about aerial images. It’s a stepping stone, not an finish vacation spot.
For the $399 Fly Extra Combo worth (with cellphone controller), the Atom 2 affords official worth. Simply perceive you’re buying and selling some reliability {and professional} functionality for that decrease price — which is a superbly affordable trade-off for leisure customers.
The put up Potensic Atom 2 Evaluation: Is that this $300 drone price it for learners? appeared first on The Drone Woman.
