Floatwheel ADV’s start at $1,599USD whereas a Onewheel GTS cost $3,200USD. For 100% more cost, is the Onewheel GT S-Series worth it. If you are willing to purchase an ADV using crypto USDC for a very well equipped VESC board, here are the main differences
Floatwheel ADV vs. Onewheel GT S-Series
| Floatwheel Feature List | GT S-Series Feature List |
|---|---|
| 22 mph Top Speed | 25 mph Top Speed |
| 34-36mi* Range – *Pro model | 16-25 mi range |
| 20s2p 21700 / 621Wh Battery packs | 27s1p P45b / 437Wh Battery pack |
| 36 lbs (16kg) board weight | 33 lbs (15kg) board weight |
| 210 min standard; 48 min with hyper charge time | 150 min standard; 80 min hyper charge time |
| 84 Volts | 113 Volts |
| CannonCore Motor with Advanced Cooling | S-Series Tuned Hypercore Hub Motor |
| VESC Controller | Future Motion Digital Shaping 3.0 |
| Dual Concave Footpads | Dual Lowboy Concave Footpads |
| Adjustable Height Rails | Fixed Rails |
| 11.5 x 6″ – 6 Slick or Treaded Tire | 11.5″ x 7″ – 6.5 Performance Treaded |
| SmartDots LED Display | LED Display |
| 760 lumen Headlights Dimmable | 500 lumen Headlights Dimmable |
| 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Warranty |
| One-way Communication BMS | Two-way Communication BMS |
Save $1600 or Buy the GTS?
If you’re reading this, its because the standard GT isn’t enough and you want to compare the next level Onewheel to a readymade VESC. The profile of both boards is relatively similar. You will get way more range on the Floatwheel however you get way more power on the Onewheel GTS (S-Series).
While the Floatwheel can be tweaked with VESC software, Future Motions Digital Shaping 3.0 has made a massive leap into tweaking the boards settings and ride performance. Honestly they are made for two types of people. Tinkerers and someone who just wants a performance ready VESC-competing Onewheel.
I like to think that buying the Onewheel GT S-Series (it should just be called the GTS), like an Apple iPhone. It is more costly, however they make it stupid-easy to use without any hassles. Again, there are tinkerers who do want to tinker and I do think that is where you go VESC however if you just want a polished ride with dialed in digital shaping, then you have to go GTS and mainly due to the two-way BMS.
One-way vs Two-way BMS
The floatwheel has a “single direction” battery management system (BMS) that only monitors and manages the battery during the charging process. It ensures that the cells within the battery pack are charged correctly and safely. This prevents issues like overcharging, but the crucial negative to the Floatwheel ADV is that the BMS does not manage the discharging process.
A two-way BMS, like in Onewheel products, manages both the charging and discharging process. It not only protects the battery from overcharging but also prevents over-discharging, maintains cell balance, and monitors the temperature during both charging and discharging. This type of BMS provides a more comprehensive protection and management system for the battery, contributing to longer battery life and safer operation.
The Floatwheel could have an issue with the battery and simply cut out on you mid-ride resulting in a nosedive. With a two-way BMS, any issue you are going to get some indication whether from Haptic Buzz or from the app that there is an issue. It is not going to just dump you mid-ride. Again, I am not claiming that it hasn’t happened however I have never just had a Onewheel just cut out. This can and does happen on an out of balanced Floatwheel.
Conclusion
You are going to get more power out of the GTS however you are confined to Digital Shaping 3.0 but it does provide for an incredible amount of customizations. To tinker, send payment with crypto for a competing board that is still needs improvements (plastics are very brittle), that is a choice you will have to decide if the savings is worth it.
I will say that because Floatwheel does not have a two-way BMS, I can not trust it the same as I would an FM board. One ER visit from a nosedive from a Floatwheel and it could make the savings an expense. Always wear a helmet and stay on top of your battery maintenance!