After I first laid eyes on the Potensic Atom SE, which drone got here to thoughts? Yup, that’s proper, the DJI Mavic Mini SE. Potensic received’t be the primary firm to try to emulate the design of DJI drones. Many have accomplished so, and a few to nice success; the trick is that if they’ll persuade clients that their product is simply nearly as good if not higher than the unique. So, is the Potensic Atom SE on par with the DJI Mini SE? Nicely, that’s what we’re right here to search out out. On this assessment of the Potensic Atom SE, we will discover the drone’s predominant options, the way it performs and if it’s a worthy various to the Mini SE.
Do You Want To Register It?
First issues first, because the drone weighs lower than 250 grams, will you should register it? It will rely on the place you reside and what you propose to do with the drone.
In case you reside within the USA and use it purely for leisure functions, you’ll not must register it with the FAA. Nonetheless, in case you are solely new to drones, you’ll need to take the Leisure UAS Security Check (TRUST).
Suppose you propose to generate profits with this drone via issues like skilled images and even importing drone movies on YouTube. In that case, you’ll need to acquire the Half 107 certificates and register this drone.
Within the UK, the legal guidelines are just a little completely different; you’ll need to acquire an Operator and Flyer ID from the CAA.
In case you reside elsewhere, please test and adjust to native guidelines and laws.
Potensic Atom SE Assessment – Design
The Atom SE is among the best-looking drones from Potensic; it’s a small, light-weight drone which you could simply retailer away and carry round.
It seems much like the DJI Mini drones, particularly the Mini SE and Mini 2; it has an all-white color scheme and foldable arms. Every arm is provided with touchdown legs, with the entrance pair barely longer than the again pair, which permits a smoother touchdown process.
The drone has highly effective brushless motors, and its propellers must be screwed on individually; the props don’t are available in pairs, so ensure to screw each onto the right motor.
The battery compartment is on the again, and beneath it’s a charging port and micro SD card slot. You don’t get a micro SD card with the bundle, so you’ll need to buy one; the really useful playing cards are of class10 or U1, which have a reminiscence capability of 4GB-256GB.
On the underside of the drone are some air flow models to maintain it cool, a few optical circulation sensors, and a Tof sensor. Each of those sensors assist with flight stabilisation, particularly in areas the place the GPS sign is weak.
Distant Controller
This can be a good small controller that extends from the left-hand aspect, which creates some area within the center to insert your cell system; that is much like the controller of the Fimi X8 drone. It has a pair of foldable antennas on prime and is powered by an inner lithium 1S battery.
There should not lots of buttons, not like the RC-N1 controller for the DJI Mini SE; it has a button for energy and computerized return to house, in addition to a few buttons on the highest to file movies and pictures. There’s additionally a dial that can will let you management the pitch of the digital camera angle.
To entry the drone’s extra superior options, you’ll need to obtain the PotensicPro App.
This respectable App is straightforward to make use of and even comes with some tutorial movies that will help you get began.
The App will present entry to superior digital camera settings, clever flight modes and shows the drone’s flight information.
Potensic Atom SE Digicam
The digital camera is among the predominant options of any drone, and that is no completely different for the Atom SE. The digital camera on the Potensic Atom SE will probably be one of many the reason why folks resolve to buy this drone.
The digital camera has a 1/3-inch Sony picture sensor with a 118° FOV that may seize 12MP photos in each RAW and JPEG format and information video footage in 4k at 30fps, 2.7k at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps and has a recording pace of 40Mbps.
You can even stream reside video feed to your smartphone at 720p due to the PixSync 2.0 transmission know-how.
The digital camera just isn’t stabilised by a 3-axis gimbal; nonetheless, it does include an digital picture stabilisation (EIS) function for which they’ve given a elaborate identify known as ShakeVanish™.
This EIS function works properly and minimises any distortion from the pictures and pictures, though it’s not good, and typically you could discover some jittery results.
The digital camera angle could be modified up or all the way down to sure levels, providing you with extra viewing angles.
This can be a excellent digital camera, particularly for its worth, and though I do suggest the DJI Mini SE from drones that value below $300, the Potensic Atom SE is an effective various.
Take a look at the video high quality beneath.
Flight Options
The drone has three-speed modes, video, regular and sports activities; the distinction between every flight mode is the pace the drone can attain. In video mode, which is actually just like the Cine mode on the Mini SE, the drone has a most pace of 13 mph. In regular mode, it could possibly attain 22 mph; in sports activities mode, the drone reaches its most pace of 35 mph.
Even at its quickest pace, the video feed may be very secure for a drone that has no gimbal stabilisation. Potensic has accomplished an excellent job with its EIS function.
There’s a newbie mode that limits the drone’s altitude and distance to 30 meters; that is for absolute freshmen who wish to follow their flying expertise earlier than utilizing the drone’s superior options.
You can even flip off the GPS by flying in altitude mode; nonetheless, you need to solely fly on this mode in case you are an skilled drone pilot or in case you are flying in a wide-open space.
Clever Flight Modes
The drone comes with three clever flight modes, they embody the next:
Circle/Orbit: The drone locks onto your smartphone and can fly round your place. You’ll be able to set the pace, top and distance.
Comply with me: Because the identify suggests, the drone will comply with you by locking in your smartphone.
Waypoint: This mode means that you can draw a flight path on the App’s map, and the drone will routinely fly alongside that route.
The drone additionally has an computerized return-to-home function that’s activated when the battery will get low on cost or the communication between the controller and drone is misplaced for a couple of seconds.
Though these options are enjoyable to make use of, they need to solely be utilized in wide-open areas to minimise the chance of crashing into one thing.
Potensic Atom SE vs DJI Mini SE
Individuals will inevitably examine the Potensic Atom SE towards the DJI Mini SE; they’re comparable drones in seems and options, however which one is healthier? That actually will depend on what you’re on the lookout for. The Potensic Atom SE has a digital camera that may file precise 4k movies and seize 12MP photos in JPEG and RAW format.
However, the DJI Mini SE solely information in 2.7k at 30fps, however it does include a 3-axis gimbal which offers superior stabilisation. Nonetheless, for photos, the Mini SE solely captures in JPEG format.
Each drones have comparable flight occasions and transmission ranges; whereas the Atom SE comes with autonomous flight mode, the DJI Mini SE doesn’t.
There are different variations, however these are the most important ones; which one would I like to recommend? I might personally go for the DJI Mini SE, however that’s in all probability as a result of it’s a DJI drone, and I’m an enormous fan.
The Atom SE is an excellent various to the Mini SE and, in some areas, has higher options.
Ultimate Ideas
The Potensic Atom SE is an excellent beginner-friendly drone that’s straightforward and enjoyable to fly. It comes with some distinctive options, the principle one being its 4k digital camera with EIS anti-shake know-how. It’s a drone appropriate for first-time pilots and drone lovers.
