Potensic Atom - Follow Up - Connection Problems Persist
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- I decided to see if I could trouble shoot the connection problems that I've seen with the Potensic Atom sub-250g mini drone. I really wanted to be able to recommend this one, but it remains problematic. If Potensic could solve their connection issues they'd have something here.
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Business email: idahoquadcopter@yahoo.com
Thank you for showing this video. I had thought about purchasing the Atom to have a mini drone but I will stay with DJI. So glad I saw this video first. Thank you again for showing videos like this, you really helped!!
Thank you, I'm glad you found the video helpful.
I enjoyed seeing your discoveries and observations here. Also, the graphics you use as introductions to your presentations are a lot of fun. Keep up the good work, buddy.
Thank you George! This little drone has been troublesome.
I don't think there is a question about this being a good drone...there are many good reviews out there and I have flown the Atom and liked it...I have seen the Atom fly over a mile without a problem...but with any electronic product, sometimes you get a dud...if u have tried everything and it is still failing you then it is probably defective...I would send it back for a refund or a replacement...I purchased a new DJI mini 2 that was dead on arrival...it happens...they fixed it and life goes on.
I'm glad your Atom is working well! I agree mine is likely defective.
Have been watching your channel for a while now. Love your honesty
Thank you so much!
were there homes or industry nere by...could be some strong 2.4 gig interferance coming from wifi extender from a home or a link from a cell phone tower...go out in the country and test again... coul be a tesla near by too...im buying Pontensic...one day there there will be no more DJI...
I have the Atom too. I don't have any of these connection issues. I go 2+ kilometers with no problems. Take it to snake river canyon and see what happens. If it still persists have Potensic replace it. When I fly in heavy wifi areas i have no problems. I always get at least some part of the drone on the pad when returning home. Looking forward to more content.
Thank you Greg. I agree, it's possible that I may just have a bad one.
I was about ready to pull the trigger on this drone until I watched this video. Thanks for the in-depth troubleshooting you did to give it a chance. Looks like I'll have to pass it up & save up for say, a Mini 3 Pro instead. Yes, more money, but not as problematic as the Atom. Thanks again.
You will not regret the Mini 3 Pro. Thank you for stopping by!
I like this drone I got it used for $180 in perfect condition so it’s fine. I’m gonna get the Mavic 2 soon enough so this is a nice little drone that I will probably give to my daughter as soon as I get the DJI I have a phantom three as well that’s great the cameras amazing for not being 4K
Thank you so much for all your tips, I'm enjoying my Potensic Atom
Great to hear! Enjoy that new drone!
Hi Marcus, an Atom with stability issues like U235. I purchased the Atom to give it a test, but had to send it back since I couldn't get the drone connected with the controller. The DJI Mini 2 SE is the low cost drone to own.
These bargain drone companies get so close, but there's always a flaw. 👍
@@IdahoQuadcopter always multiple flaws many of these drones not all of them, but many of them give drone’s a bad reputation. I still say Dji Mini se is a very dependable first drone and it gives people the real idea of what drones are capable of. That’s how I started and now I have the mini three pro and the mini four pro. I live on a fixed income, and this is the most enjoyable hobby I have ever gotten into it is worth doing payments on them DJI is second to nobody when it comes to consumer drones
On your phone, shouldn't you be leaving the wifi on (airplane mode with wifi on)?
I don't think it makes any difference. 👍
At 55 meters hovering above your head has FPV video breaking up. I think you might have a broken one. I like the new transmitter systems that scan for less interference across the whole spectrum of the RC hobby band. Having only WIFI bandwidth is a bit restricted for a modern control system. It is worth spending a bit more for a better transceiver system for a more confident RC video flight even in a park flier. The cheap trainer drones can be crashed without breaking the bank while learning. You would expect components to be underperforming. Interesting to see the change over to a new standard.
This one is really disapointing. 👍
I seriously think that you have a defective unit. The atom you have seems to consistently has connection issues over and above most any other drone reviewer. So I would definitely suggest sending your unit back for a replacement unit and then see if you have the same results. But make sure that they replace it rather than test and repair, otherwise it could bring questionable results. Just strange that your particular unit has so many unresolvable connection issues compared to all the other drone reviewers.
Potensic sent me the drone for review. They have very graciously asked me to return this one and I did. They have sent me a replacement, and as soon as we get some decent weather, I'll give it a go. As for other reviewers, I don't know. I'll let my viewers draw their own conclusions.
@IdahoQuadcopter you really need to try a new location when this happens.
All consumer products including drones operate within a defined bandwidth for consumer wireless comms.
With in that bandwidth, they choose a frequency window for their products.
You do not own a frequency window. So more than one consumer product be it a drone or wireless washing machine can be operating on the same frequency.
To over come problems, some drone manufacturers allow you to change the frequency you are using within a confined bandwidth assigned to the drone.
It just takes 1 other device on the same bandwidth in that area to cause problems. So before blaming the drone or recent hardware updates I always advise the pilot to try another location.
I appreciate your insight, however, it's still a drone problem. I never have to choose a new location when flying my Autel drones. They fly everywhere.
You tried everything you could to give this drone a fair chance, but it still has connection issues. I don't blame you for losing faith in this one, it just isn't worth the trouble considering you can get a DJI Mini 2 SE for the same price now with the holiday sales. Great testing Marcus, and thanks for sharing.
Thank you Ron! It has been interesting for sure!
I do not have a gopro, I am using an Iphone, and I am flying in the middle of the desert at least 10 miles from any power lines, and the signal is constantly being lost (Potensic Atom SE)
I can sympathize. 👍
I just got my Potensic Atom, and my disconnect problem is worse than yours. I get a blank screen even 10-20’ away from me and a “disconnected” message from the app. I will try to contact Potensic on Monday and see what they say. I should not have interference problems as I live in the country with no houses near me. I also see a message “Trust this computer?” About every minute, to which I have to respond, as well as enter my phone unlock code. Ugh.
I'm sure Potensic will replace your drone. Their customer service is good. 👍
Its the whole drone and transmitter its called JUNK!!!!! Lol thank you for showing this
I agree lol.
Well, I wasn't going to say it. 🤣
@@IdahoQuadcopter 🤣😂😝👍🏻
There could be sometime wrong with that drone from factory. I would get a hold of potensic and see what they said. Or just get a DJI
Yes, I've been in touch with Potensic. 👍
I realise you don’t want to fly the drone again but next time you are at snake river canyon you could put it up in the air and see if it’s possibly the local interference at hero park , there should be no other Wi-Fi at the canyon. Keep the videos coming and some new locations if possible.
Thank you! I'm working with Potensic. We'll see what comes of it.
OK Marcus, a video before I get to work let’s get that bird in air. Great video as always.
Thank you Robert!!
Hi I think the issue is because if you have your microphone or phone nearby if they are Bluetooth or using a 2.5 ghz signal then it will interfere with the signal and you won't be able to fly it far you might want to try turning your microphone off and disconnecting your phone from any mobile networks and/or turning off any device that may be Bluetooth or using wifi
Hmmmmnnnn....evidently you didn't watch the video. 😂
Ye l only watched the start but lots of people have had this issue and I keep seeing the same videos about connectivity so I was just copying and pasting the same comment to everyone
I really think this drone in particular has issues .Maybe you should send it back to Potensic for replacement .You got the video as proof.I've seen many flights with this model and there were no glitches or freezing .Just the uneven horizon issue which potensic promised to solve via a future firmware update.Personally I recently got a DJI Mini 2SE though at first was thinking of Potensic...but they still didn't convince me yet..They are on the right path though.Just need to work some more on their product and I believe they have potential.
Yes, they do have potential. I hope they get it sorted.
Really Atom has disappointed you so bad.
I'm sure urban WiFi interference can be a contributing factor. Atom have to do more updates to fix the issues.
Welbeck here. Stay blessed and safe all the time Amen 🙏🙏.
Thank you Welbeck! Yes, we don't have those issues with our DJI Minis. 🤣
I had purchased the same drone and I live in the same town he lives in and I could not let my drone the potensic atom go more than 2 blocks away and mine froze on me too.
I flew my drone about 5 mi from where that Park is located and I could not let it go more than two blocks away. So I upgraded and returned my atom drone.
I spent the extra money and bought me a DJI Mini 4 Pro.
unlike Marcus I had no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on in my house other than my network.
You made a great choice with the Mini 4 Pro. Congratulations!!
@IdahoQuadcopter Marcus here is my follow up.
I got my DJI Mini 4 Pro and it is wonderful more confident with the distance factor and return home features is better than the ATOM.
I wanted to ask how did you get picture in picture with your TH-cam presentation?
@@AutherAerials I do a screen recording, then put them together in my video editor in post-production.
What a great drone nobody understands how much of a pleasure the mini4 pro is until you fly it .me personally I have never been disappointed with DJI drones I Own the mini2 mini3 pro mini 4 pro. In the past I have tried many other drone companies and not one even comes close to DJI no doubt why they are over 70 percent of the drone market,,,,,👍
This was another disappointing result for the little Potensic Atom, as others have suggested, it might be time to see if they'll replace it and to do the test again.
I hear you Alan. I'd rather fly my Mini 4 Pro! 😄
Thank you for doing this. You saved me from making a poor buying decision. I was hopeful this drone would save me $400-700 on an Nano+ or DJI mini 4. I think I'm going with Nano+ now.
The Nano+ is a great drone. The camera is fantastic!
At 4:24, we can see your antennas are pointing to the ground and the tips are pointing up. Even more obvious at 4:56.
I had the antennas positioned perfectly in both of those spots you pointed out.
I'm sorry dude, you have the antennas pointed to the ground 😂, so not correctly positioned toward the drone.
Anyways...
I can see alot of houses in the surrounding.
All these homes have wifi and wifi extenders/repeaters.
Als some factory that might have all that.
Take the Atom to an aeria without factory and houses and you will be able to make a 2km without problems.
I bought the Atom and in civillian aeria it has alot of glitches (even when you pass a highway/road with many cars (wifi and cellular connections) it gives problems.
But in free space (no homes/factorys etc... it works like a charm. The DJI doesnt have this problem.
I agree. The Atom seems to be very sensitive to any other RF interference. 👍
@@IdahoQuadcopter I would love to see a video of the Atom at the waterreservoir, and over the hill.
Comparens it to the mini 3 video quality and distance.
Would be a video i putt on my NAS to watch with some popcorn on my coutch :)
Looking forward to seeing how it goes buddy.
Thank you!
issues is this, 2.4 GHZ is used on many IOT devices like nest, google thermostats, RING doorbells, outdoor cameras that could cause interference . Potensic should have put the 5 GHZ chip on systems.
That makes sense! 👍
Sounds like a few updates and it should be better. It's almost like the antenna on the drone or in the controller is not connected.
These bargain drones get close, but they always have problems. 🤷♂️
Hi. I had the same issues since the first time i took it out of the box. Started it like 3 times, no video signal to my phone. Kept powering on and off remote and drone, in the end it worked. I did fly like 20 minutes or more on one battery, without any issues, on a hill. But most of the times, i have a 70% chance that the drone loses video feed as soon as i take off, and 30% chance to have no issues and fly it like 1-2 km away without any signal lost.... Really dissapointed. Also there is no autoconect to the remote, once i lose video signal that's it, i must fly blindly and get it back by looking at compass and distance....
I hear you! These kind of problems are frustrating!
Im convince you have a defective drone. I just got my Atom 2-3days ago and I have not seen the issues you are displaying in the videos. I would totally send it back for another one. Mine came out of the box ready to fly I was able to get the drone 1300ft away in my neighborhood, Im sure there is plenty of interference but not with my FPV to phone and app. Mine is flawlessly, I hate that you got one like this because I bought the atom based on your vids and few others. Man contact support thats just unfortunate. Me and my youngest son love to fly this drone in city parks and farms so far. Cant wait to take this drone for trip to the mountains to see what kind of footage we can take.
Enjoy that new drone. 🙂 Potensic tells me they are working on a new connection system.
I think you may have a lemon model. This is a great drone that most have no trouble with. Dang this is too bad
I'm glad that yours is working well. 👍
Maybe a last rites sacrificial video over the Snake River Canyon would be a fitting tribute Marcus, informative video thx.
😂🤣 I like that idea!! 😄
It's possible the main output transistor for the Potensic atom transmitter inside the drone has failed and the only signal you are picking up is from the driver transistor! Because you had good signal the first time you flew it. I have seen situation's in the old days of CB Radio being greatly reduced in transmitter power due to output transistors failing. Or antenna wire came off ?
Thank you for that information. It's pretty clear that something is defective. I'm working with Potensic for a solution.
@@IdahoQuadcopter Cool hopefully it's still under warrantee and they can fix or do a return refurb or something 🙂
I have had no problems with mine so far but just a quick question, are flying close to any 5G towers? They send out a very strong disruptive signal.
I guess you never know, however I've flown many other drones there without a problem.
I’m sure you did a compass cal, and all of that when you arrived? And the drone is on the latest firmware? Just thinking of the little things. I just have yet to see others with these issues.
Yes, thank you, updates and calibrations have been done. 👍
You might want to try fly it somewhere else . Or have the drone replaced.. because. I have never had it do this . Something near you is blocking it
I fly many different drones and brands from that same spot without issue. I don't know.
I would redo a test with the antennas positioned properly...
I had them correct to begin with. 🙂
I have an eye on this drone. To me it looks quite simple. EVERY reviewers and even the manual mention the antennas must be positioned correctly ie the wide part facing the drone. Looks to me your pointing the tip to the drone, which is a dead zone in the antenna. Just flip up your antennas so the side is facing the drone, not the tip...
Yes, the flat part pointed toward the drone. 👍
I have no connection problems with my Atom.
I'm using Samsung phone.
If you also have the same connection problems with your Atom SE.
It might now be that Atom's app on the iPhone is a problem
I agree, it could be a problem with the Potensic App.
I wonder if this location is the issue, was there a Cell Tower near by? Was the controller power low? Have you ever flown this drone without issues anywhere else?
I just ordered this Atom drone and this is the first negative video I have seen.
Yes, in my area there are cell towers everywhere. I do think this drone is very sensitive to RF interference.
@@IdahoQuadcopter I have flown it right next to the cell tower antennas and there were no problems.
Like Most Things Chinese made , consistency is not their strong suit , you need to buy 3 to get one good one.
I agree. That's true for many products.
Do you realise DJI is Chinese?
Greetings from California Marcus
Thank you! Cali is one of my favorite states!
the FAA multiple choice trust quiz is so easy my cat could pass it 100%
I watch a lot video of this potensic atom and they testing video and they dont have any problem with logging, are you sure you are not using an atom SE or your cellphone unable to catch up with the 4k video camera
All I know is the connection is crappy. 🤷♂️
Send it back to potensic for replacement you have your video recorded
I have the atom se and I'm not having any of these problems with range on mine
Maybe a bad drone/transceiver. Would be interested to see if you can repeat the same behavior with a different Potensic Atom.
Yes, anything is possible. 👍
I don’t know I got mine up till like 700 feet today without any problems but I got it about 1200 feet out and that’s when it had to return to home. I’m not sure why they advertise that this thing will go 13,000 feet.
Yes, depending on conditions, this isn't a long distance drone.
Why does mine keep saying no gps drone may drift
Evidently you don't have a satellite lock.
@@IdahoQuadcopter what that ? All new to this hobby
I see you fly DJI drones all the time at this location. With no problems
Yes, in fact I flew the Mini 4 there that same day. 👍
1st day for me. Can sync the frequency but can't Connect. Not connected, I can take off but bad control. Land quickly because out of control. Never connects.
Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. You may wish to contact Potensic.
@@IdahoQuadcopter After a few email exchanges with Potensic, connection problem resolved. Even though I got a beep that the phone saw the controller cable, it might not have been tight enough. Removed thin case and blew out the port. Now the drone connects. Haven't tried yet with the case installed.
@@artsmith103 That is good news. I've found Potensic support to be very helpful.
@@IdahoQuadcopter When I couldn't connect older Android 7.0 phone, tried newer Android 9.0 phone. Connected but kickstand case prohibits installing into controller. So I thought it was an Android 7.0 problem. Protensic gave me a little runaround like what was my order number vs what could the Android 7.0 problem be. I insisted to stay on point, and when they offered to send a new cable, I started focusing on that part of the phone. That was the problem.
Maybe your connection was less than perfect.
Does this drone work in the dark???
I've never tried it.
@@IdahoQuadcopter I’ve never tried it either but due to the nature of safety I tried it in the room with lights off and said low ambiant light unable to take off maybe it doesn’t I just don’t want to try outside and it just takes off and have no control over it
Interesting, I don't have any such issues ..contact Potensic for another...maybe yours may be defective.
I'm working with Potensic on the issue.
the antennas should be more upward.
Keep the flat part of the antenna facing the drone. 👍
Anyone ever accidently turn the drone off with their thumb and midflight while I did today and the drone just kept going vertical until it connected and took about 15 seconds. I thought it would just return to home once it realized it was disconnected, but nope.
Yes, when the drone losing signal from the controller it should RTH. 🤷♂️
get your certificate of completion folks before a karen sics the law on you😂
Maybe it’s the transmitter itself?
Could be the cable as well I had issues with connecting my apple phone
Yes, anything is possible. Honestly these kind of problems take the fun out of the drone.
Hot garbage. Unreliable connection with a fake-4k bonus. I'd go with the Mini 2SE without hesitation.
I have a Atom. The new one. Its not garbage. Im quite happy with it.. i think something else is going on here
I do think the Mini 2 SE is a better bet for the same money.
Send it back it is defective
Will do. 👍
this is getting real, if a complaint is brought against you and you cannot present a trust certificate, i would guess your cuffed and arrested, a deputee would be forced to follow the law
Are you wearing an Apple Watch ?
Yes, If if my watch interferes with the drone it's a drone problem, not a watch problem. 🙂
I turd on plane mode on phone no more Trouble
Ha! You might want to watch the video. 😎
Hi Marcus.....My suggestion is to wear a tin foil hat......🤣But really. This one needs to go back for a replacement.
They sent it to me for review Jim. We'll see if they come up with a solution. 👍
You obviously have a hate against Potenic. I have seen may TH-cam reviews of the Atom, and nobody ever has a problem, except you. Your mike causes problems, your camera causes problems, what next your smartphone.. Admit it, you just hate Potenic......
Ha! No, I just show my experience. I work with Potensic often, and want to see drones like the Atom succeed. 👍