Potensic A30 Drone
- Good for Kids
- Headless Mode
- One Key Take Off / Landing
- Altitude Hold Functionality
Description
Potensic A30 Drone Review
Potensic A30 Drone Review 2020 – is the Potensic A30 quadcopter worth the money? Review of features, pricing, flight duration, battery, camera and more.
There was a time when drones were machines that only a few can afford. In just a few years, we can now enjoy models that are marketed as toys for kids with the prices to match the target audience. Potensic is one of the leading manufacturers in this space with noteworthy offerings in all categories. The Potensic A30 drone is a few levels below their flagship product but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. In fact, it is worthy of your attention given its low price, eye-catching design, and long list of features. Let’s take a deeper look into this cool quadcopter:
Build
When certain things are marketed as kiddie toys, you might immediately assume that these items are cheap and of low quality. That is not the case here. Potensic actually paid attention to the build so that the drone can withstand the constant use and abuse of energetic kids. It boasts of a strong shell that can survive crash after crash without breaking. Even the propellers are protected by built-in guards — not the flimsy ones that you have to reattach countless times. Parents who want to make sure that their present lasts can be confident in this model. It will bring kids tons of fun while shrugging off the bumps and bruises.
back to menu ↑Camera
Unfortunately, the A30 does not have a camera. This is not for people who want to do aerial photography because there simply isn’t any capture device onboard. It is more for young people who wish to learn how to pilot small aerial vehicles. For example, a group of friends may engage in drone racing, obstacles challenges, and flight stunts. Videography simply have no place here. There is a headlight that can easily be mistaken for a camera but it is only there to make the unit more visible in the dark. Find another model if this is important to you. If you can live with this omission, then read on.
back to menu ↑Battery
The battery is removable so you can swap a newly charged piece if the one inside has run out of juice. Get multiple batteries if you want to enjoy long flights because this model will only be able to fly for 6 minutes to 8 minutes at a time, depending on how you fly it. Regular packages of the A30 come with only one battery. There is a combo version available if you want to get two batteries. This would instantly increase your flight times to between 12 and 16 minutes which is respectable for such a small device.
back to menu ↑Controls
The remote control is pretty basic with no LCD display for telemetry data and only a few buttons for added features. However, it gets the job done and feels good in the hands with the curved design. Since it doesn’t have a camera, there is no first person viewing possible. There is no attachment for a smartphone to monitor a feed. If you want a similar model that has a camera and Wi-Fi FPV , then go for the Potensic A30W. It will be almost 60% more expensive but it might be worth your while. You can change the speed so make sure that you start slow if you’re a novice and gradually increase the pace as you grow more comfortable.
back to menu ↑Flight Features
Take-off and landing are always tricky for beginners. They can take a while to master and many crash during the initial attempts. Since this is aimed at beginners, Potensic thought it best to include one key to do these tasks with ease. You can start and stop flying right away without suffering too much damage. Of course, it’s not all the time that you’ll want to zip around. You might want to stay put while in mid-air. The altitude hold and auto hovering are perfect for keeping the drone still. These are handy features for those who are having difficulty controlling the machine.
back to menu ↑What Others are Saying
The Potensic A30 Drone has generally positive reviews. Owners are happy about the durability of the system. This reduces their anxieties about flying since they know that the shell is extremely forgiving. The propellers are guarded well. They can crash multiple times and get back at it again as if nothing happened. It has good stability when flying and hovering. With the bright headlight, you will always be aware of its orientation.
This model does not have an automatic return to home feature but it does the next best thing. You will hear an alarm if the battery is getting low so that you can tell it to fly back and land before it crashes. There is also an alarm when the control signal weakens. It takes a bit more work to get it back but you can if you act fast enough. The removable battery is a plus. This uses batteries that are similar to what you would see in more expensive models. It would have been better if they lasted longer.
back to menu ↑Comparison with Other Drones
The A30 is flying in a crowded airspace. Plenty of competitors are there to steal the attention of potential buyers. One of its toughest rivals is its virtual twin, the A30W. It looks and handles the same way but it has a 720p camera for kids who want to learn about the ins and outs of aerial photography. The feed is streamed via Wi-Fi to any compatible smartphone. There is also the Potensic A20 that is also identical except for the battery system. This comes in 5 attractive color schemes to appeal to the little ones. As for other brands, you can look into the Snaptain H23H Plus, the Holy Stone HS210 Mini Drone, the Orrente Mini RC Drone, and the Dwi Dowellin Drone.
back to menu ↑PROs & CONs Listing
PROs
– Four extra propellers
– Built-in propeller guards
– Tough outer shell can survive many crashes
– Good value for money
– Headlight for nighttime visibility
– Nice blue color option
– One key for take-off and landing
– Altitude hold available
– Can be stopped during emergencies
– Includes headless mode
– Low battery alarm
CONs
– No camera onboard for photos and videos
– Only 6-8 minutes of flight time per battery
– No first person viewing
– No return to home option when lost
Final Words
The Potensic A30 Drone is a commendable attempt at packing beginner-friendly features in a sub-$30 machine. You will have to sacrifice the camera for the excellent flight capabilities and build quality, so gauge if you are willing to make the trade-off. You can always opt for its big brother, the A30W, if you want it all.
Tyler West received a Bachelor Degree in computer science from The University of Texas Austin. Tyler has been working as a full-time computer programmer for the past 3 years. In his spare time, Tyler’s favorite hobby is flying drones. One of Tyler’s life goals is to become a full-time drone pilot.
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