Potensic - ATOM

You should really think about what it is your son likes about flying a drone. The inexpensive toy grade drones are difficult to master because they don't have GPS or other features that make them easy. That's the whole point. When you can fly a fully manual toy-grade quadcopter, you can just find a park and go fly around just for fun. These suggestions about a DJI Mini, Potensic Atom, or others in that price range are for CAMERA drones. It takes almost no skill to operate one, but it's also not much fun unless aerial photography is your thing. If he likes the fun of flying a quadcopter and wants to master that skill, there is nothing wrong with toy-grade quadcopters. Some are better than others of course. I have a Potensic Atom but unless there's something I want to video from overhead, I rarely fly it. It's more fun to take my old Syma X5 or Bugs 3 out to the park and fly around just for fun. When he can fly figure-8s around a park or the backyard, or go through a handful of those 10-minute batteries without crashing, then maybe he's ready for the next step. That would probably be FPV. And if he ever does get into aerial photography, he'll at least know how to actually fly a drone if something goes wrong and he has to land it manually.

If you absolutely cannot wait, and NEED to get a drone to start playing with, get a DJI, or even better, save yourself some money and get a Potensic Atom. That said, unless you’re strictly going to use that drone for photography, you’re certain to get bored quickly. The best thing you can do starting out is to get a controller, such as a Radiomaster Pocket or Boxer, and a drone simulator like Liftoff or Uncrashed. Then, before you start getting too frustrated, start watching Joshua Bardwell on YouTube. He’s got a great playlist on getting started in FPV with a controller and simulator. Trust me, after trying to learn just the simulator, I’m convinced that I’ve saved myself a large amount of money and heartache. It’s so easy to crash an FPV drone as a beginner. Controls are complex and not intuitive, at least not when you’re starting from zero.

I'd even look at the mini 3 pro. I have seen them on Ebay real cheap, and that model does have forward and rear obstacle avoidance. Under 300 Mini 4k won't let you down view the Potensic Atom. Potensic doesn't GEO lock and has a few more follow modes if that's something you want.

Potensic Atom gets you 30 minute flight times per battery, and it takes about 30 seconds to land, swap the battery, and get airborne again

Brother get potensic atom 3 axis. I got the neo and returned it within a week!

I bought a Potensic atom drone with a gimbal camera. The camera arrived broken. A week and a half later I wrote to Potensic The representative asked me to make a personal handwritten drawing of the drone, which is way out of line!, he/she wanted logs, detailed photos of the entire drone. I sent all he/she asked minus me making personal drawings. After that another email followed saying he wanted me to send my memory card to see if I had broken the camera myself. I said I would like to send the drone back for them to look at it and would be happy to pay for postage and they could make a decision as to what to do with the drone in hand. I was polite. I am a university professor not a kid. This was the worst and most unusual experience I have had with any customer service. My Potensic Atom did not function right from the start. Potensic states they have a 30 day hassle free return period for whatever reason. I reported the defect 10 days after purchasing. They refused to accept the return of the defective drone even after I went to extent of sending photos and videos which should never be asked for to start with. All buyers beware Potensic does not honor their 30 day hastle free return agreement if my experience is the norm. What is worse is they were rude to me on top of this. There are equally good drones on the market. It is better to use another company that honors their return agreement and treats customers more courteously. You don't want to disappoint your child or have your business disrupted with this kind of experience.

Not gonna lie the Potensic Atom is a great beginner drone. Very easy to fly and beginner friendly. Camera isn't terrible. https://youtu.be/AuF_I-hixTc?si=uzo1lQ58B20W2Bou

Just because it's 4k doesn't mean it's the same quality across the board. The Atom is pretty darn good for a "cheap" drone. I filmed this on it https://youtu.be/AuF_I-hixTc?si=FloBY6txxc1fVlVk

Lol. Yeah right. You're one of the only ones on here making that bullshist claim. They're actually VERY good drones for their price point. 

I just bought one. Great little drones for the price. Everything about them is great, range, picture and video quality, responsiveness. Everything. You're going to love it! 

I've been happy with my potensic atom as a cheaper alternative to DJI. I managed to get it as a "refurb" on ebay for about 220. But it looks like its new on ebay for about 265 from the cheapest seller with a few extra batteries. It does not have obstacle avoidance. But it does have optical stabilization and obviously GPS/accelerometers. It flies great and the camera is very decent. You do need your phone to fly, it connects into the controller.

Don't buy one. The Potensic Atom seems better value and quality.

Hello. The potensic atom seems well worth the money at only about £300, and can be bought through Amazon with the confidence of being able to return it if it doesn't perform well. I don't think any drones under that price will be good for anything more than as a child's to toy.

FIMI always delivers two things: 1- BAD/VERY BAD quality control. 2 - BAD/VERY bad support. One other thing FIMI always got is the specs they publish they simply forget the asterisks and they do need always more than you would like to have if they'd pubished it beforehand. Some people swear by FIMI footage camera quality, reliable controls, and good quality but I doubt as they either, never had anything else to compare to or are lying/misleading. Both drones from FIMI wer brand new and they failed to deliver. The FIMI mini 3 arrived here with loose propeller screws but I knew I had to check those due to previous experience with the brand. The FIMI mini 3 camera and everything else is subpar compared to DJI and the Potensic Atom. I have had already two tries at FIMI drones they never delivered the specs promised on launch, there is always an asterisk and alot of "BUT" to their hardware specifications and software features. The most honest drone I know of to start with are Potensic Atom. That drones is ALOT of fun. The DJI mini 3 is great, got slightly better specs overall Than the Potensic but is also very limited by NFZ's and I rarely fly it.

I started with a potensic atom before upgrading to just purchasing an Air 3s. Glad I did since I was a great way to see if I liked it for $200. I wouldn’t go any cheaper.

I have spent lots of time researching, and here is my take: Potensic Atom - good, budget friendly ($350 for FMC). Comparable specs to DJI Mini 4K and has added benefit of Follow Me and Waypoints. DJI mini 4K - DJI is more well known branded - $450 (FMC). Good specs, not as many features as Atom, but it is DJI I went with the Atom, just based on price, and I don't need to have a DJI. That being said, first flight out it was daylight, and I couldn't see my phone screen worth a damn. So, boxed it back up and sent it back. Got DJI Mini 3 FMC with the DJI RC (with screen). More than my budget, but I don't like the mobile device as the screen, so I spent extra. Regarding your other question: lots of info in this subreddit on what has to be registered and what doesn't. You need to do some research on recreational and TRUST certification (most likely your situation), if in the US. Other countries have different rules, so no one simple answer.