10 reasons why a VESC is better than a GT

It's really exciting to follow the growth of vesc for the past few months. Here are some of my favorite things about my VESC!
Special thanks to Frank, Andrew, Maeve, Deaglan
time stamps:
0:00 Max performance
1:51 Repairability / moddability
3:09 Tuning
5:28 XR platform
7:01 Smaller hypercharger
7:37 Footpad engagement & tricking features
8:43 Able to turn on the board at any orientation
9:08 The experience of building, tuning, and certifying a vesc
11:00 Constant software / hardware updates
12:46 Participate in a movement to further this sport
14:33 Build guide preview from the next video
my build:
75.6v samsung 50s 21700 zbms ver (the board garage) in torque box/bumper
ubox 80v 100a in stock box (build guide coming up)
wtf varials, bang/torque bumper, kush wide, 30 grit
enduro, life savers
vesc 6.1, float package 1.1
tune inspired by Highline (high P, high mahony, low I term limit)
generic LED module, included bluetooth module
3d printed vesc rail badge for extra steeze (thanks maeve)

[@deanaoxo]

My VESC build begins next year! Thank you so much for leading the way, acknowledging the leaders, and keeping the stoke, all without hating on FM! WELL DONE!

[@leonchang7596]

Yeahhh dude!! It’s gonna be so much more mature next year! Super important to not go into vescing with hatred, it really kills the stoke!

[@burkejohnson4539]

To be fair, however, future motion deserves the hate and is a shitty company

[@jackijackdarth1938]

me too! im starting to really inform myself and next year i will begin the build!

[@leonchang7596]

@@jackijackdarth1938 next year has come are you ready :)

[@nicoaleman]

Awesome video man, I've wanted to cover many of the same points in some kind of video but I couldnt have said it all better myself! Especially the powering on in any orientation one, legitimately one of the best perks 😂

[@leonchang7596]

yeahhh! i still don't understand why that's a restriction on FM boards haha

[@surfdado]

@@leonchang7596 I think I know why FM chose to do this - safety. There are corner cases where you could engage your board in the wrong angle because the IMU didn’t have enough time to get initialized. It also gives them one more sanity check during startup to make sure the IMU behaves as expected

[@leonchang7596]

Hmm, but the power button is indented from the rail so the chance of anything hitting it is super minimal. I guess it’s not zero. Does FM boards calibrate its IMU upon boot? That’s why it needs to be flat on the ground? My argument towards dropping this feature is: 1) one of the first things first time riders do is to flip the board around to find the power button, lay the board on its rail and turn it on without reading the manual, and then they don’t understand flashing yellow light, and they step on it and fall forward. 2) skateboarding and eskate all have some kind of cool and easy way of mounting on the board without having to bend down. Skateboarders drop the board and step on it, some eskates automatically turn on the moment it detects the wheels spinning (at least 2 years ago when I used to eskate). Onewheel being advertised as a cool and stylish PEV should really have a better way of powering on other than bending down and pressing the power button. 3) they can always program in a double click on the power button to power it on at any orientation.

[@RRits57]

can't wait for your conversion videos going to follow along with mine.

[@bencrystalofficial]

You're so much more comfy with the mic in these videos than the older ones haha, great video! 🥳🥳🥳

[@leonchang7596]

improved my EQ/compressor a bit, not as hardcore in audio as you hahah, could use some feedback!

[@geob1438]

My VESC is super similar build! You are spot on with all your comments

[@paulshapiro6119]

Love this video, Leon. So dense with critical, insightful and valuable content (Leon talks so fast). I had to rewind several sections several times .... but not a bad problem to have. He certainly doesn't waste your time. I think this guy is my VESC muse.

[@leonchang7596]

aw thanks! i keep getting bored at my own vid so i keep cutting stuff away haha

[@JewishArchive]

so glad i found this video. i am plannig to vesc my pint x and have no idea where to start , cant wait for next video, thank you for your work EASY SUB

[@leonchang7596]

Thanks! Pint x vesc mod is a bit tricky since all of the connectors are proprietary to FM. I saw some people reverse engineer FM’s connector with a 3d printer. The next build guide is gonna be more focused on modding an XR, but I think you might get a few things from it too!

[@JewishArchive]

@@leonchang7596 ya understand, I appreciate your response . I guess I will have to buy a soldering station, I think if it’s not a bored soldering, I should be fine, my main thing is if I have to change my BMS as well or not .. because I don’t want to deal with it. (And I know FM always fined new ways to make it harder so I am not sure about this version) . My pint x is hardware 7314 Firmware 5076 .. Also would love to know which VESC one is “best”.. ( preferably with Bluetooth, modular already, and the resistors-so I have lees soldering Work to do.👌🏻

[@leonchang7596]

Focer have the least amount of soldering and highest performance but is a pain to deal with. It breaks all the time in 3d printer boxes and doesn’t support LEDs, only has internal bluetooth (will randomly disconnect on iOS devices). I think it’s good for an endgame build. Ubox is a lot more beginner friendly because it’s cheaper, comes with an external Bluetooth module, a fuse, and all the wires you need to get it working. But you will have to solder stuff. Nothing too hard, just soldering wires to pins. I’d say for vesc builds, expect soldering and basic multimeter knowledge to be MANDATORY. Even if you don’t plan on soldering, you’ll end up doing it anyways. That’s all I’m able to fit in a yt comment without turning it into a book. My next vid will dive much deeper into this

[@JewishArchive]

@@leonchang7596 I appreciate your response, personally I don’t mind to put more work for something more reliable. That’s the most important thing for me especially for my kind of riding style., (and if it requires a professional assistant, I don’t mind to get it especially since I’m doing this project in Mexico and labor is cheap here, so I’m sure I can find somebody that knows how to solder for a reasonable price) Looking forward for that video 🤙

[@barrymonteiro8893]

Wow! This video is fire! Thank you for the in depth update on the VESC project. Waiting for the VESC build to get more user friendly for us non-tech people! 🤣

[@leonchang7596]

Thanks!! I started out as a non tech person and was fooled into thinking vescing would be easy, then was thrown into the deep end and had to learn everything on the fly. It’s quite a project to build a vesc this year if you don’t have DIY experience (like me) but I’m sure it’ll be more plug and play next year!

[@KINGSTONSPRIDE]

Yes this is the first VESC video I’ve seen.

[@cyphen21]

Dude, you are a great rider. I am on a Pint right now and love that thing, but in a year or so when I am ready for an upgrade, I am going to buy an old XR and VESC it.

[@___Tom]

Great vid, thanks!

[@christophertran8896]

Brilliant!!! Absolutely Brilliantly!!! Am switching to VESC… Many thanks!!!

[@ryanberardelli2363]

Cool video - you should check out Mario Contino's video describing what a VESC is, so we can stop calling DIY One Wheels by their controller. As a DIY esk8 guy, it's very confusing to see people call a vehicle a vesc, when it's only the controller lol

[@leonchang7596]

I watch his videos. And yes calling the whole board by the name of a single component is weird, but it’s a name onewheelers recognize. Calling it a onewheel also seems weird since it’s trademarked. Soooooo we’re still working on a name that best describes these skateboard style electric… single wheeled device

[@ryanberardelli2363]

@@leonchang7596 lol yeah that's fair. I like calling them VescWheels personally, but I'm not in the Onewheel community much so it hasn't stuck 😁😁

[@-biell]

Really, really, really nice video with lots of little things that add up to something big. These are good notes with a nice narrative stitched into your personal experience to make a fun story to listen to.

[@leonchang7596]

Thanks! That’s what I’m going for! It’s the little things that matter

[@MadDonJuan]

Great video, I never rode on a ine wheel, I'm an eskater but this was fun to watch 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@leonchang7596]

Thanks!! You guys have been building vescs way longer than onewheelers, we’re just getting it now

[@MadDonJuan]

@@leonchang7596 yup. Diy Builder here, close to 3 yrs. Vescteran lol. But I think your calibration might be more complicated since we just do motor detection, amps and duty programing mainly, well quite a few more things that most still haven't learned but you get the point. Lol. Safe shredding Brotha 🤙🏼🤙🏼🚀

[@11perception]

Hey man great video’s seriously value the content. Could you talk about the adv pro and your thoughts

[@leonchang7596]

aw thanks! i don't wanna give any opinion until I try one, but I'm also super excited about it!

[@JensOverby]

Hey, the torque thing is because the vesc actually CAN control the torque due to FOC technology and shunts for measuring phase currents. Torque ~ Current. The other motor controller doesn't do FOC.

[@jaydr0id568]

Its jordan from the last group ride. I didn't know you had a YT channel. It's awesome to see even more of you doing all these bonks and tricks you learned from me and my bro and then some! Keep going. Youre already doing better than me so far. I need a vesc to trick easier. It clearly works!

[@leonchang7596]

Hey Jordan! Haha learning from the best here 😜 the vesc sensor firmware is incredible, i don’t think I’ve ever missed a single trick because the sensor didn’t turn on!

[@jaikunroo3197]

Thanks for this video ! I'm thinking about the floatwheel adv to go vesc and replace my pint x, what do you think about this ? I'll sure wait to see the big players tests about the adv before doing anything :)

[@leonchang7596]

Floatwheel stuff have been super fascinating to watch unfold, but as you said we really need reviews before considering it as an actual product instead of an investment. I have high hopes, after all the big players in eskate and EUC are all mostly based in China.

[@wayofflow955]

Nice to see New York City riding. I would be scare if riding in the city street, so many vehicles moving in the same time.

[@leonchang7596]

Thanks!! It’s definitely scary on the road haha, but when the alternative is MTA it’s an obvious choice🤣

[@n051de4]

tfw this was the first video of someone talking about a vesc I ran into

[@leonchang7596]

you ran into me?

[@biffboards]

Appreciate your videos, Leon! Great info! I see a lot of people rocking WTF rails for their VESC builds. Are there configurations in the shaping for VESC that eliminate the need for a tilt kit? I’m planning out a VESC build as we speak, and I’m wondering what the Pros and Cons are of going with WTF rails for my VESC board. Is a tilt kit still needed? Do you have one on your VESC? Or is there another alternative that’s made a tilt kit obsolete? Such as a new part or advanced shaping settings that FM doesn’t have. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@leonchang7596]

Hi! Glad you enjoyed it! Hardware tilt kit is not necessary for Vesc, you can change the default set point by recalibrating your IMU. You can even save IMU presets if you constantly switch back/forth between Ws and straights! Actually any hardware fix for a FM software issue is no longer necessary, such as tilt kit, posi, surestart… can all be emulated in firmware

[@sandorszabolcsi]

Love your video! thanks for the info. I want to know can you upgrade an XR + with 4212 build to VESC? I was going to buy a board from a seller, but I heard that the 4212 cannot be upgraded.

[@leonchang7596]

Yes! Any hardware version will work, since you’re swapping out the controller anyways, doesn’t matter which version it is

[@sandorszabolcsi]

@@leonchang7596 great thanks for replying my question now is the cost so I can pick a used XR+for 900 with 150miles it might be better just to buy a float wheel adv 😉

[@leonchang7596]

used xr ~1k + batter upgrade ~600 + ubox ~130 + miscellaneous parts roughly equals to an adv. the decision is more about which platform you prefer and what you value in a board(range and speed vs third party accessories), and who you choose to support (small shops in the community or tony)

[@jabronikenshin9496]

Fantastic info. what type of kneepad is that?

[@leonchang7596]

the amazon type haha, honestly i need an upgrade

[@terpnoid]

Thx

[@slimdog72]

Rad dude. I have been on the fence for the last year, do I sell XR and get a GT or do I get a CBXR for the XR or wait another year and then VESC the XR. I am looking forward to your build vids.

[@leonchang7596]

CB is a whole other rabbit hole. They are a great performance upgrade but the build quality is very questionable. If you’re thinking about vescing then you got way more battery option than just a CBXR, which is designed to work with / restricted by the FM BMS

[@AmericanSmallArms]

Floatwheel ADV!

[@surfdado]

Great video! But I love how one of your reasons why VESC is better than GT is that you can make your VESC “almost as good” as a GT 😂😂

[@leonchang7596]

Hahahahh, almost as good as in out of the box with recommended settings the nose is almost as stable. When it’s tweaked right the nose is perfect! I tried at least 5 ESCs (focers and ubox) at this point and they all kinda suffer from nose dip issues on small drops unless the board is super dialed.

[@milesonewheelwinter]

That's phucked. If you own an XR and you want more power, it's a no-brainer if you own a gt you buy a gts.. $$$$

[@badmotorfinger9195]

No haptic buzz would be the biggest reason now for sure

[@grb1969]

I'm not a OneWheel rider but just wondering if there is an option to have a wifi accelerometer/sensor in your glove to control the tilt angle so that dynamic response to changing slopes were possible? A button on the back of the hand could act as a reset so that hand orientation can be re-calibrated on the fly as often as wanted. This board is fascinating for its self-build options.

[@e5211]

yes there is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5XEoWero9Rme5Y here at 12min he talks about it

[@grb1969]

@@e5211 thanks. It’s great to see as open source movement from the one wheel community. Now, we need the same for EUCs.

[@MegaMrDoe]

Where are the trails you are hitting at the end of the video? 9:20 and onward... I am also a NYC rider looking for some sweet trails.

[@leonchang7596]

it's in prospect park! has a whole GT battery worth of trails. we have a discord too, come join! discord.gg/eAtBnQxXqq

[@HMNLT]

Hey leon, i see youre in NY. Do you know any shops that can vesc out my XR?

[@leonchang7596]

Quinn @float_with_pride on insta is in NYC and might be able to help you. She is a good friend of mine and taught me most of what I know, she has been vescing a whole bunch of people’s boards and knows what she’s doing. One stop board shop I think is also getting into vescs and would be worth reaching out to

[@sleek462]

literally bought a gt about a month ago dialed it up with wtf rails enduro tire kush wide chillers etc. now i want a vesc but the build seems daunting af

[@leonchang7596]

I came from GT too, bought into the XR ecosystem specifically for vescing. It's quite the jump!

[@sleek462]

@@leonchang7596 grats on the build. how is it on trails? i feel like the gt with all the aftermarket parts is the most sturdy board for trails.

[@leonchang7596]

GT is the best board when it comes to tanking rock gardens and cobblestones. You can go fast over super bumpy terrain and GT’s nose will not wobble at all. For all other aspects, I prefer my Vesc. There are new trails that are getting unlocked in my local area where only Vescs are able to hit

[@stokepusher5481]

Can't believe I got my XR some years back, and thought ...I can see the batteries improving, but could anything else really get much better. Oh how the tinkering patriots have surprised!

[@leonchang7596]

Hahahah exactly ;)

[@jonahbetia4136]

been trying to decide which one to buy ONEwheel pint x but hearing VESC makes me confused. Can I have the link where to buy?

[@leonchang7596]

You can’t buy a vesc, you can only build one. My latest video goes over the build process with links to parts

[@tylermoseley7492]

Where’d you get sidekick guard rails for the varials?!?

[@leonchang7596]

You can cut them with scissors! Also craft and ride now sells rail guards for varials

[@p41p41p41]

請問vesc是要全程自己找零件，自己安裝程序，自己拼裝的嗎？有沒有哪可以找到半成品或成品呢？

[@leonchang7596]

等floatwheel吧哈哈哈哈 现在基本上都是自己组装的 主要因为就算你买个成品controller box，电池盒里的bms还是得换掉 所以暂时是没有可以直接插到xr里就可以变vesc的东西 makerspev是在卖一个组装好的controller，但如果你想要用那个盒子连bms的话还是得拆开了焊线

[@rabs2020]

So this vest is plug and play or do I need some specific knowledge like computers and stuff I want my board to behave like yours. Where do I start how long does it take to build a vesc I wanted to do this with my gt btw

[@leonchang7596]

GT is gonna be especially tricky because it does not use off the shelf connectors for motor and footpad cable. This means you’ll have to reverse engineer/3d print your own clone of FM’s proprietary connector. If you don’t have DIY experience I think it might be a bit more than you can chew. Even after completing this extremely arduous project, I’d argue the end result is not as good of a ride as an VESC-XR If the GT is your only board, you probably should get another board to vesc anyways, assuming you ride frequently.

[@TheBoardGarage]

If you don’t have any DIY building or maker experience, then this is not a good first project, especially if you have no direct help. It’s a lot to learn and many parts of it are critical, and will become dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

[@freedomcaller]

13:23 🥹

[@leonchang7596]

😉

[@OfficialNattyOrNot]

When is the build video coming out? 👀

[@leonchang7596]

In a week or two (hopefully), busy with finals now 😂

[@OfficialNattyOrNot]

@@leonchang7596 Good luck man! Hope you do well!

[@der_kaputte]

I´ve a question: How do I start to get deeper into "oneWheel" topic? I want to buid my own, and see a lot about VESC... ;) If there are some hints for starting? BR Thomas

[@leonchang7596]

Good question! If you’re new to the sport then get a used XR or GT and start riding, building a board might be a bit too involved if you’re just starting out unless you’re very dedicated. If so some of my latest videos show you the process. Also read pev.dev, join the Fungineers and vescify discord, and watch some DIY electronics tutorials if you decide to build vs buy.

[@der_kaputte]

@@leonchang7596 thanks for answering. I definitely take a look into building my own. But maybe I get a good opportunity to buy a used one to get my first driving experience... 😜

[@leonchang7596]

@@der_kaputte yesss, definitely recommend getting a used working board first, especially because without knowing what a onewheel SHOULD feel like, if you build one yourself and it's not behaving correctly, you won't know anything is wrong. And DIY boards are sooo focused on options that you gotta have a preference of what you prefer to know how to pick parts

[@der_kaputte]

@@leonchang7596 Thank you very much, that sounds very understandable. I'll start looking for a board nearby ;) Thank you first of all!

[@shawn1676]

Number 1 No future Motion all you need to know

[@joshuarentas7648]

How would I go about buying stuff for a vesc, I wanna get one but I’m dumb asf when it comes to technology 😂

[@leonchang7596]

Build guide for dummies is the next video! I was a dummy before researching for this build and the vid is a bunch of facts that I learned along the way. It’ll cover not only the wiring but also terminology/vocab that vesc ppl expect you to know, prerequisite knowledge, who sells what

[@franciscosamir5256]

Can i buy a made VESC in Europe?? I have no time for building

[@leonchang7596]

I'm sure there are local builders in Europe who'll be happy to help you out if you ask around on the vesc facebook group or vescify discord

[@me_josh]

FM motion software is dope...all that extra stuff you mentioned sounds cool...but 99% of ppl literally just want to turn on their board straight from the box and ride it....Wich a vesc cannot do... So essentially what your saying is if you spent money equally close to buying 2 GTS you can get a board thats twice as good? I hope so...I have yet to see actual so gle track trail where a vesc is faster than a gt

[@leonchang7596]

yep, GT is awesome! I addressed this point in my previous vid. I’d hope to see a Vesc win races but ultimately the rankings are up to the rider, not the board they’re on

[@goruthakur6814]

Just saw your other video you said 10 reason why gt is better than vesc

[@avisliberis]

so, this is a VESC'd XR, correct?

[@leonchang7596]

yep

[@thechickentendy3982]

84V is not less range than 75.6V if you make them out of the same cells.

[@leonchang7596]

Yep! Most 75v packs use 21700 cells and 84v use 18650 cells. Would be cool to see how floatwheel performs since it’s 84v 21700

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@leonchang7596 my 84V uses 21700 cells. It's a split pack just like the floatwheel

[@leonchang7596]

Oooooooo! Elm box I assume?

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@leonchang7596 yes!

[@leonchang7596]

@@thechickentendy3982 you lucky bastard 🤣🤣

[@justinspirational]

Except a float wheel is even better than a vesc as it performs better than even a 84v vesc battery with its 6 hp motor, much more range (up to 36 miles) than the 84v vesc battery packs offer, is mostly prebuilt for you already and most importantly even the top of the line float wheel adv pro costs much less than our costs to upgrade to vesc at only $1800 & don't need a pre existing fm onewheel to build upon

[@leonchang7596]

I'm as excited as the rest of the community about floatwheel, and I suspect it'll be a great replacement for the GT platform. But let's hold off on opinions until we get third party reviews. It takes ~$150 to upgrade an XR to a VESC if you have common DIY electronics parts. You can recycle your XR controller box and mod it to fit a ubox 80v, which comes with all the cables and ports that you'll need for the conversion. Also I personally love the XR platform. There are UHMW bumpers, thin rails, off-the-shelf components for literally every single part of the board, rectilinear design with no curved surfaces, which makes designing custom accessories extremely easy, and a super saturated used market. I also love that I hand-built my board and tuned every aspect of it myself. Is it practical? No. But when people ask me "hey how much does that cost" I can confidently say "idk I built it myself". Again, it's great that we're finally getting a real competitor to FM, and the attention of detail that Tony has been bringing to this product makes me super hyped, but this VESCXR is still my board :)

[@milesonewheelwinter]

On paper perhaps. It's also a 43 lb pig

[@nukenabber7228]

Stop these BETTER THEN titles!!

[@sysghost]

While it's fun and all, don't break traffic rules like in this video. Stay legal folks!

[@leonchang7596]

nyc rule of the street - don't hit anyone and you're fine :) legally i can ride in any lane

[@fonzieskatesurf]

I see your video before this is the direct opposite

[@leonchang7596]

It’s kinda impossible to say one is better than the other. They’re all good at different things and it’s important to acknowledge both sides

[@fonzieskatesurf]

@@leonchang7596 wow I wanna try one, I wouldn't be so picky as long as it works. Bet it's addictive

[@leonchang7596]

You can go to any onewheel retailer (find them on onewheel.com), sign a waiver, and they’ll give you a ride demo. It’s super addictive!!

[@ssab9063]

Wouldn't you get more range out of a 84v setup than a 75v setup? Wh= volt x Ah. Ah- amp hour. Wh- watt hours.

[@leonchang7596]

The reason that currently 75v setups are longer range is that they use 21700 cells, and it's not possible to pack in 20 cells in series while still being 21700. So most 84v packs are 18650 packs. The workaround is a split battery pack, where they put 18 cells in series in the rear, and the rest in the front box. This will require a bigger controller box, such as the elm box. It's do-able but it's above my skill level, and wiring that for BMS I'd imagine to be a pain in the ass.

[@JwadeProductions7]

There’s only one reason vesc is better then one wheel and that customization Others then that it’s the same

[@leonchang7596]

Customization is it if you wanna sum up everything into one word

[@JwadeProductions7]

@@leonchang7596 if future motion wanted to unlock their app and allowed full control vesc would have issue I believe. I could verywell be wrong

[@leonchang7596]

I really hope one of the reasons why GT custom shaping is taking so long is they couldn’t release it unless it can compete with vesc. Of course this is purely speculation.

[@JwadeProductions7]

@@leonchang7596 I need to get on that gt platform now they have w’s and bumpers tires and such in the after market.

[@wayofflow955]

@@leonchang7596 I bet they are working with cpsc and can’t release anything making the Onewheel more dangerous in the eyes of cpsc.

[@daltondearman9548]

You just posted saying the GT is better silly goose lmao

[@leonchang7596]

Yep! They’re both awesome boards for different reasons and different people

[@hogn1]

you trust cars too much

[@leonchang7596]

I wear a helmet, hence I cannot die (this is a joke)

[@joshcostain7197]

Well gt is junk anyway... 🤷

[@Jommyneutron]

Why

[@Jommyneutron]

Why dude I’m gonna get a GT for my b day and it works really well Why it junk

[@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304]

When you start a video sometime like this guy, no one wants to hear..

[@CayoticProphet]

My CBXR, bought off Craigslist, has an anti-theft FOB to turn on my Onewheel. (Orientation still matters, I just don't have to bend over to reduce that quality of life you speak of.) The power button no longer functions by design, as this device bypassed it. Reverse image search shows a "Wireless RF Remote Control Switch." When I went to Arkansas for Float Fest 5, no one had heard of it, and people were starting to refer to me as, "You're the guy with the remote start FOB?" Last year I tried to pry into the controller box but I couldn't see what had been modified. My light just started flickering so I will be going back in again and I will try get to the bottom of this mod because it is nowhere to be found, online. As in the guy that did it, must have known how to do it, because I can't find a video tutorial about it. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B7ZM1TGS/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A19JB4U5KYS1EN&psc=1

[@leonchang7596]

interesting design, i've never heard of anything like it! i did met a guy who rides a board without a pressure sensor as a front pad. instead it's a magnetic keyfob that sticks onto the footpad and tethered to his anckle. pretty cool alternative design!