The Potensic Atom 2 has become one of my favorite budget-friendly 4K drones. After receiving a recent update, which includes a brand new smart controller, this drone has taken its performance and user experience to a new level. In this long term review, I’ll share my thoughts on the Potensic ATOM 2 Long-Term Review, the PTD1 smart controller, and my overall experience with both.
A Quick Overview of the Potensic Atom 2
For those who’ve been following my channel over the past few years, you already know that I’m a big fan of Potensic drones. The Atom 2 is a standout model, especially considering its affordability and its impressive features. The original Atom was a solid drone, but its controller left much to be desired. Potensic addressed this issue with the Atom 2 by significantly improving the controller, and now, with the addition of the PTD1 smart controller, the entire flying experience is elevated.
The PTD1 Smart Controller
The introduction of the PTD1 smart controller is a game changer for the Atom 2. No longer do I have to fumble around with my phone, dealing with connection issues or worrying about battery life for both the drone and the phone. The PTD1 controller simplifies the entire process, making it much more enjoyable. It’s clear that a lot of thought and care went into its design.
It’s worth noting the progression from Potensic’s early drones to the Atom 2. The original Atom had a decent controller, but it lacked some of the features that would make it truly convenient for users. With the Atom 2, Potensic significantly improved the controller, and now, with the PTD1 smart controller, they’ve taken it a step further. This controller feels premium and offers a seamless flying experience, something that was missing in earlier models.
Unboxing and First Impressions: The Smart Bag
When I first unboxed the Atom 2 package, I was pleasantly surprised by the smart bag that comes with it. While the bag may not get as much attention as the controller, it’s a thoughtful design. The dual zip design and the magnetic closure make it incredibly easy to access the contents. Once opened, the bag holds its position thanks to the magnetic flap, which is great when you’re working in windy conditions. Overall, it’s a smart, well executed addition to the package.
The Atom 2: Great Features and Performance
While the Atom 2 itself remains largely the same as when I initially reviewed it, there have been some notable improvements. One standout feature that was introduced after my first review is the “cine roll” feature, which adds a unique perspective to your footage. This feature, along with the tracking mode, makes it easy to capture stunning shots of moving objects or yourself. The video and photo quality is fantastic, and I’ve noticed that the colors are now more refined, offering a natural look that I appreciate. The 4K camera, especially for a budget-friendly drone, continues to impress.
New Features and Improvements
Potensic has made several tweaks and updates to improve the Atom 2. The cine roll mode and tracking features are great, and the quality of both video and photos remains exceptional. I’ve also noticed a more natural color palette compared to the initial release, which is a welcome improvement. Additionally, the drone still offers excellent video quality, and I was able to capture beautiful shots with the camera, which is a testament to the quality of the sensor.
The PTD1 Controller
The PTD1 smart controller offers a 5.5-inch full HD display with a peak brightness of 700 nits, which is adequate for most conditions but can be slightly challenging to read in direct sunlight. While some smartphones boast displays with brightness levels exceeding 1000 nits, the PTD1 controller’s screen is still clear and responsive in most scenarios. I did occasionally need to adjust the angle of the screen when flying in direct sunlight, but this was a minor inconvenience.
One of the key features of the PTD1 controller is its ergonomic design. It feels premium and comfortable in the hand, with intuitive controls that make it easy to fly the drone. The thumbsticks are well tuned, offering smooth, cinematic movements, a notable improvement over the original Atom’s controller. There are also programmable buttons (C1 and C2) and scrolling wheels, which add to the overall usability. My favorite feature is the ability to capture a photo mid-video, which is incredibly handy during flights.
Battery Life and Range
The PTD1 controller offers about 3 hours of runtime, which is more than sufficient for most users. When paired with the Atom 2’s three batteries, I was able to go out, fly, and recharge in between sessions without much downtime. However, I never felt confident enough to fly all three batteries back to back without recharging the controller. Still, 3 hours is plenty for most situations.
- Original Potensic charging hub and adapter.
- Compatibility: ATOM, ATOM 2, ATOM SE, ATOM LT
The range of the Atom 2 with the PTD1 controller is impressive on paper, with a claimed 10 km of range. However, during my testing, I did experience some signal dropouts when the drone was about 300-400 meters away, with the controller occasionally warning me to turn the drone around due to a weak signal. After experimenting with the antennas, I was able to improve the range, but this is something to keep in mind when using the drone at long distances.
Low-Light Performance and AI Tracking
The Atom 2 also features an AI mode for low light conditions, which works great for capturing night time footage. The AI tracking feature is reliable, with the drone accurately tracking subjects with minimal delay. There’s also a 4x digital zoom feature, which is handy for getting close ups without physically moving the drone.
The app experience is another strong point. It’s easy to navigate, and the touch screen on the PTD1 controller is responsive. One of my favorite small features is the color coded battery indicator in the top right corner, which changes color based on the remaining charge. It’s a simple yet effective way to monitor battery life while flying.
Final Thoughts: Potensic ATOM 2 Long-Term Review
Overall, the Potensic Atom 2 with the PTD1 controller is a fantastic package, especially for beginners. The drone offers amazing video quality, a solid build, and a range of professional features, including tracking modes and the cine roll effect. It’s lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around for any adventure. While it doesn’t have obstacle avoidance or waypoint navigation, the core features are more than enough to recommend the Atom 2 to anyone looking for a budget friendly drone.
The PTD1 controller is a major upgrade, making the overall flying experience much more enjoyable and efficient. If you’re already a fan of the Atom 2, the PTD1 controller is a no brainer upgrade. For those new to drones, this combination offers a solid 4K camera system and the convenience of a smart controller at a price point that’s hard to beat.
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Article Summary
The Potensic Atom 2, paired with the PTD1 smart controller, is a reliable, fun-to-fly drone that offers great value for the price. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced drone enthusiast, the Atom 2 is worth considering. It continues to impress with its performance, and I can confidently recommend it to anyone looking to get into the world of drones.
Read More: Potensic Atom 2 vs DJI Mini 4k
