Potensic D88 Drone

Potensic D88 Drone Review

Potensic D88 Drone Review 2020 – is the Potensic D88 quadcopter worth the money? Review of features, pricing, flight duration, battery, camera and more.

Potensic D88 Foldable Drone, 5G WiFi FPV Drone with 2K...

$269.98 3 used from $193.78
3 new from $269.98

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Potensic has been making a name for itself by releasing high-quality drones at reasonable prices. In its current line-up, the Potensic D88 Drone stands at the top with arguably the best features of the bunch. One look and you will know that this is not a simple toy. It can perform demanding tasks with excellent reliability. Below is a deep dive into all the facets of this expert drone:

The Build

You’ll know that this is a serious piece of equipment from the moment you open the package. The drone is in an aluminum case for protection and portability. It’s a foldable unit so it stores neatly when not in use. The four 1350KV brushless motors are efficient, silent, and long-lasting. They won’t overheat even if through continuous use. Extra propellers are included in the package so you can easily replace the current ones if they get damaged during flights. It looks and feels like a solid machine so you won’t regret spending money on this one.

Camera

It has a built-in 2K camera with a 110-degree wide angle lens so it can see more within the frame. Pilots can move this camera up and down in a 90-degree range. This makes it easier to see what’s ahead and what’s below the drone at any given time without moving. The feed can be streamed via Wi-Fi using the mobile app for real-time first-person videos. The transmission range is up to 984 feet. This setup is ideal for filmmakers as they can properly frame their shots in every scene. It even has a one-axis gimbal for better stability. Note that video recording requires a Class 10 microSD card of up to 32GB capacity. You will have to buy this separately.

Battery

Smaller drones can only carry tony batteries so they can’t stay up in the air for more than a few minutes. The Potensic D88 is larger so it can accommodate a 3400mAh battery which is good enough to power it through 20-minute flights. This only comes with a single battery so owners should consider buying a spare or two for longer shoots. It does come with its own two-slot charging hub but it takes as much as 4 hours just to reach 100%. Spare batteries will make swaps fast and efficient so come prepared.

Controller

The remote control has a simple design that looks similar to the JJPCX11 controller in every detail. The bottom handles are straight rather than the curved design of most models. It is not as ergonomic as it could be. The sticks, buttons, and switches are exactly where you would expect them to be. The LCD display provides crucial information such as battery level, satellite lock, mode, height, and distance. Pilots should be able to control the drone within a 1,500-meter radius in an open area and less if there are obstacles. The Potensic app can also control the unit directly but within a shorter distance of 500-800 meters.

Features

This drone has a GPS inside that enables it to perform a lot of tricks. For example, it can return home if it needs to because of low battery or signal issues. You can tell the drone to go to Point of Interest, circle it, and come back after recording awesome footage. It can also be told to fly using a pre-defined route on a map using the app. Beginners will love the auto take-off and landing feature as every attempt will be perfect. This minimizes errors and damage. This quadcopter can move at a top speed of 50kph with remarkable stability. It also have ultrasonic altitude hold and optical flow positioning.

What People Say

There are plenty of other drones that you can purchase for a smaller amount of money but they will not be as good as this one. The Potensic D88 is great for beginners who have a stash of cash and wants a unit that they can grow with. Others are simply toys that will soon get boring. This drone is actually useful thanks to its excellent camera and wealth of features. It’s not the best out there but the price to performance ratio is pretty decent. You get solid build quality, long flight times, and intelligent modes without having to spend thousands of dollars.

Comparison with Other Drones

Potensic has another 2K camera drone in the D85 but that one doesn’t have altitude hold and optical flow positioning. It also has a lower battery capacity and shorter control distance, though it has a lower price. Similar drones include the Holy Stone HS270 which costs a bit more but also offers a longer flight time. The Contixo F24 Pro costs exactly the same at $270 but has a 4K camera and a 30-minute flight time. In essence, the D88 can hold its own in this price range but there are also other compelling options which are worth a look. Compare their features and user reviews to find the right one for you.

PROs & CONs Listing

PROs

– Good price for the features
– Sturdy aluminum case
– Durable and quiet brushless motors
– Clear and stable 2K camera
– Intelligent flight modes
– Altitude hold
– Extra propellers

CONs

– Controls are not ergonomic
– Large phones don’t fit the holder
– No headless mode
– Only one battery in the package
– Video can be shaky

Final Words

Drones can be quite affordable there days with lots of models falling under $100. These are good enough for the curious and those looking for a nice toy to play with. You do get what you pay for. If you want something that can allow you to fly longer, faster, and further, then get a better model with a higher price tag. The sub-$300 options are quite interesting as they offer a nice mix of high-level features, quality build, and decent cameras. The Potensic D88 Drone with its 2K camera, flight modes, and overall package should serve beginners to advanced users well.

Potensic D88 Foldable Drone, 5G WiFi FPV Drone with 2K...

$269.98 3 used from $193.78
3 new from $269.98

in stock

Buy this item

Tyler West

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.