The Sub-250g Contender: A Deep Dive into the Potensic ATOM SE GPS Drone (Fly More Combo)
The drone market, particularly the sub-250g category, has become fiercely competitive, largely thanks to its regulatory-friendly nature in many parts of the world. Stepping up to challenge the dominance of established players is the Potensic ATOM SE GPS Drone, especially in its feature-packed Fly More Combo. Boasting a 4K EIS camera, extended flight time, and powerful brushless motors, the ATOM SE aims to deliver an exceptional flying experience without breaking the bank or requiring cumbersome registration.
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| The Sub-250g Contender: A Deep Dive into the Potensic ATOM SE GPS Drone (Fly More Combo) |
📦 Unboxing the Fly More Combo: More Than Just a Drone
The ATOM SE's "Fly More Combo" is immediately appealing due to its comprehensive inclusions. The entire package, neatly organized in a quality carry case, is built around the philosophy of maximum flight time and minimal hassle.
Key components in the Fly More Combo:
Potensic ATOM SE Drone ($<249\text{g}$)
Intelligent Flight Batteries (Typically 3 for the 'Fly More' tag, delivering the advertised $\text{up to } 93 \text{ minutes}$ total flight time)
Remote Controller
60W Fast Parallel Charging Hub
Spare Propellers and Cables
The inclusion of multiple batteries and the 60W Fast Parallel Charging Hub is a significant value proposition, minimizing downtime and maximizing time in the air. While the drone's individual maximum flight time is around 31 minutes, three batteries effectively push the total flight time to a highly impressive $\text{93 minutes}$ (in ideal conditions), a rare feature at this price point.
⚙️ Design, Portability, and Build Quality
The Potensic ATOM SE adheres to the now-standard folding drone design, making it remarkably compact and highly portable.
| Specification | Detail |
| Takeoff Weight | Under $249 \text{g}$ |
| Folded Dimensions | $88 \times 143 \times 58 \text{mm}$ |
| Motor Type | Brushless |
| Max Speed | $16 \text{m/s}$ (Sport Mode) |
| Wind Resistance | Level 5 |
Its sub-250g weight is perhaps its most crucial feature, offering significant flexibility for beginners and travelers, who can often bypass strict registration requirements. The build quality feels sturdy despite its lightweight nature, and the inclusion of brushless motors ensures durability, better performance, and superior energy efficiency compared to brushed alternatives. The high maximum speed of $16 \text{m/s}$ in Sport mode gives it a surprising zip, making the flying experience exhilarating.
📡 Flight Performance and Range
The ATOM SE leverages a GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou satellite positioning system for reliable and precise hovering, which is essential for stable photography and videography. Potensic's proprietary SurgeFly Flight Control System offers three modes: Video (slow and smooth), Normal, and Sport.
The maximum $\text{4KM FPV Transmission}$ range, facilitated by the Pixsync 2.0 image transmission system, is excellent for a drone in this class, providing a clean $\text{720P HD}$ video feed to your connected smartphone. While not as far-reaching as some premium models, $\text{4KM}$ is more than enough for most recreational pilots to explore their surroundings confidently. Furthermore, the drone features essential safety functions like Auto Return-to-Home (RTH) triggered by low battery or signal loss, greatly reducing the risk of a flyaway.
📸 Camera System: 4K with EIS – The Trade-off
The camera is often the most significant point of compromise in budget-friendly drones, and the ATOM SE is no exception. It is equipped with a 4K camera featuring a $\text{1/3-inch CMOS}$ sensor capable of shooting $\text{4K @ 30fps}$ video and $\text{12MP}$ photos (in JPG and RAW/DNG).
The crucial difference from its more expensive counterparts is the stabilization method:
Stabilization: Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), branded as "ShakeVanish," is used instead of a mechanical 3-axis gimbal.
Result: EIS effectively smooths out small shakes and vibrations, resulting in stable video footage. However, because the camera is fixed to a single-axis tilt (controllable up/down only), aggressive maneuvers or strong side winds will result in the horizon of the video footage tilting with the drone's angle, giving it a more "First-Person View (FPV)-style" look rather than the perfectly level, cinematic footage of a gimbal-stabilized drone.
For the price, the image quality is good, offering decent sharpness in the center of the frame and a significant step up from many $\text{2.7K}$ or $\text{1080P}$ alternatives. The ability to shoot in RAW (DNG) is a fantastic feature for enthusiasts who wish to post-process their still images.
✨ Intelligent Flight Modes
The ATOM SE is not just a manual flyer; it includes several intelligent flight modes that add creative possibilities:
Follow Me: The drone automatically tracks the pilot (via the GPS in the controller/phone).
Circle Flight (Orbit): The drone flies in a perfect circle around a designated point of interest.
Waypoint Flight: The pilot sets a pre-programmed route on the map for the drone to follow autonomously.
These features, often absent in entry-level competitor models, significantly enhance the creative potential for beginners.
👍 Pros and 👎 Cons
| Pros (Kelebihan) | Cons (Kekurangan) |
| Sub-250g Weight: Regulator-friendly and highly portable. | EIS Only: No mechanical gimbal means the horizon can tilt in wind/maneuvers. |
| Exceptional Value: Feature-packed "Fly More Combo" for the price. | Limited Camera Control: Settings are mostly automatic. |
| Extended Flight Time: Up to $\text{93 minutes}$ total with the Combo. | No Collision Avoidance: Pilots must be vigilant near obstacles. |
| High Speed: $\text{16m/s}$ in Sport mode with powerful brushless motors. | Image Quality Fall-off: Some reports of softness towards the edges of the frame. |
| RTH and GPS: Reliable safety and hovering precision. | Frisky Controls: Can feel a little too sensitive in Normal/Sport mode. |
🎯 Verdict: Who is the Potensic ATOM SE For?
The Potensic ATOM SE GPS Drone in the Fly More Combo is an outstanding proposition for the budget-conscious beginner or the traveler prioritizing portability and regulatory ease.
It successfully delivers the core features of a modern drone—GPS stability, long-range transmission, and intelligent flight modes—at an accessible price point. While the lack of a 3-axis mechanical gimbal is its primary limitation for aspiring filmmakers seeking perfectly level, high-end cinematic footage, the 4K video with EIS is more than adequate for most casual users, vloggers, and hobbyists. The 93 minutes of potential flight time and the included fast charging hub make this combo one of the best value-for-money packages currently available in the sub-250g drone market.
In conclusion, the Potensic ATOM SE is an excellent entry-point drone that flies like a champion, giving its much pricier rivals a real run for their money.