ZVD Downgrade vs. Custom ROM

[weriov]

Hi all -

I just received the ZVJ update on my Optimus S (I had been on ZVD up to this point--don't ask), and after about two weeks of use, I'm sick of it. Between perfomance issues, diminished battery life, and problems with the touchscreen and keyboard, I've decided that I want to scrap it in favor of something more pleasant. So, at present, I'm trying to decide between two options:

1) Downgrading to ZVD in a way that will make it permanent (i.e., never ask me to update to Gingerbread)
2) Go with a custom ZVD-based ROM, probably CM7 (and yes, I understand that this will void my warranty. No biggie.)

My central issue is that I've never worked with a custom ROM on my phone before, so while I know all of the stories about how great they are, how much they improve performance, etc., I don't have any personal experience with them. I wouldn't mind giving one a shot, but I don't have huge amounts of time to spend tinkering with phone software, so I'd need to know in advance that whatever I was going with would definitely work for me without too much hassle. I tend to use my phone primarily for calls, texting, web browsing, and the occasional game (not too much multimedia), and I was always pretty happy with the stock Froyo experience, but I'd also be very happy to go with a custom solution if it represents a significant upgrade.

So, basically, I'm looking for the solution that represents the best balance between maximizing ease of use, basic performance, battery life, and visual "elegance" while getting the hell away from ZVJ. I know there are plenty of posters out there who are far more experienced than I am in just about every aspect of this, so I'd really appreciate any advice you guys have to offer. Until then, I'll keep rolling with this bastardized Gingerbread phone and hope I can learn to (temporarily) live with it.

 

[sonicbluemustang]

Time is needed because you need to read and re-read all rooting and hacks. Definitely worth the time tho to have a well running phone. Stock scks bad especially with that dang sprint ID hogging room. Good luck

 

[williek113]

I like cm7 but TheKraven's new cm9 alpha 17 is am lost bug free. So I'd go with his cm7 or cm9 but u need to get the right Gapps the first time u do it, I was really confused why I couldn't log into Google the first time I flashed a custom rom. Also u need to be comfortable with erasing your phone completely except for ur SD card. All in all custom roms are where its at and u should get into it

Sent from mah LS670 with a 3500mAh battery, and a 16 gb SD card via Android Central Forums

 

[weriov]

Thanks for the tips so far. I don't mind taking some initial time to get comfortable with a custom ROM; the issue is that once it's set up, I need it to "just work"--i.e., I can't afford to have it suddenly bug out on me when I go to make a call or send a text. Don't know how much of an issue that is with the present ROMs.

 

[koeylondon]

In my experience, if you want a "just works" rom, go for Hydro or Dante. Both have interfaces that shouldn't be too unfamiliar, are extremely stable, and, well... they just "work."

Personally, I'm on Dante with the Amphetamines2 patch and HydroKernel. Rock solid and dependable with little to no bloat. I've tried a bunch of Cyano-mods, but for some reason, I always just go back to Dante. Call me a convert.

 

[epidenimus]

HydroROM, DanteROM, CM7 and even Reborn are all excellent and hard to leave.

CM9 is nifty, but these heavier ROMs are really pushing what the Opti S was meant to do and space gets tight easily.

If you revert to ZVD, then you can try any/all of these ROMs; the ZVJ ones work with the patches nitestalkr put up. Check out the Welcome Guide a rundown of how it all goes.

I might also add that stock ROMs suck so bad on almost every device. Truly horrible given what the device can be. I cannot see myself ever running one again beyond the phone store parking lot. I just got a new GS3 last night and, if I could not tear the stock ROM out, I would return it for my ROM'd and tweaked Opti S in a heartbeat. I'm being serious. I found myself hating this thing like an iFanboy this morning. That's right, I absolutely hate what is arguably the best device on the U.S. market as it is out of the box and am tempted to make a video detailing why. I guess I've been spoiled by our awesome devs and their amazing work. My point is: If you have the interest and some time, a good custom ROM is a whole different experience and absolutely worth it. You will not look back.

 

[weriov]

Sweet - I'll take a look into those. That being the case, let me ask for advice on one more point. If I've got to revert to ZVD before going with a ROM, I expect I'll lose everything on my phone when I do. What's the best way to backup the contents so I can restore them after the software has been changed? (I'm not sure if I need to do anything special because I'm switching basebands across the update.)

 

[Buddlespit]

Sweet - I'll take a look into those. That being the case, let me ask for advice on one more point. If I've got to revert to ZVD before going with a ROM, I expect I'll lose everything on my phone when I do. What's the best way to backup the contents so I can restore them after the software has been changed?

Titanium Backup.

Also, I want to emphasise "READ, READ and READ again" everything if you aren't too comfortable with rooting your phone.

I wouldn't recommend any of the CM/AOKP builds. Depending on the phone (yes, there are differences even between OptiS's), these could lead to instability and headaches to the "wrong" phone.

The best "all-around" ZVD (without patching) rom would probably be RebornRom (in my opinion). A very stable Froyo based rom.

 

[weriov]

Buddle,

Thanks for the tip *and* the warning. I'm very well versed in rooting and have done it previously on this phone, but I'm still reading the heck out of the relevant pages just in case. I've got it narrowed down to Reborn or Dante; just trying to figure out which way to go at this point. I love that sexy Dante UI, but the potential performance and battery boosts from Reborn may push me in that direction.

EDIT: When I said I was well-versed in rooting, I meant on ZVD. I had no idea that rooting ZVJ was so much more complex, and now my head's spinning a little.

 

[hlxanthus]

Reborn is sweet, but to me gingerbread is too hard to resist over froyo to me. Also look up thekravens cm7 build, I loved that rom.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Shinkenred]

And HydroROM is a stock-based Gingerbread ROM that you can use on ZVD with the patch that allows the use of ZVJ ROMs. IT. WAS. AWESOME. No bloatware, nice blue theming in places (goes with the whole water theme), and did I mention that it's friggin FAST!? And yes, it is VERY HARD to get away from it...I almost didn't want to make a nand backup and wipe and flash something else. ALMOST.

DanteROM is pretty similar, and is said to be pretty amazing. I haven't tried it (no room on my memory card), however. Like Hydro, you'd need to use the ZVD/ZVJ patch in order to use it.

For CM7-based stuff, I recommend Joylicious Optimus. In that topic, you'll find the ROM as well as extra goodies to add. This beast gives your Opti S the look of an iPhone. And it is AMAZING for making people with real iPhones/iPod Touches have their heads explode with confusion/rage/bewilderment/sheer awe.

For CM9, Cold As Ice would be my recommendation merely because it's the first CM9 ROM I've used, and I like it A LOT. The current version seems to run incredibly fast, too.However, Quattrimus is said to take the level of customization even further. But be warned...as it was said earlier, space DOES get pretty bloody tight pretty fast. Also, you MAY have compatibility issues with games. (Example: it seems to despise Dream Heights; though I'm wondering if this is more of an ICS thing...)

And if you want to, there's drew's CM10. This one, I can't really say for sure. If you drop back to ZVD, you'll need to use the patch. I've heard a lot of positive things about it, but *my* experience wasn't all that hot.

Ultimately, just take as much time as possible to research EVERYTHING. Then, it's up to you what you wanna run.

 

[hlxanthus]

I will also plug danteRom, but I would, it being my rom and all!

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[weriov]

Thanks to everyone for all the great feedback. After all that's been said, I'm far less opposed to going with a ZVJ solution (either Hydro or Dante, most likely) as long as I won't have to put up with the lag, battery drain, and general headache of stock ZVJ. Just wish I didn't have to wipe my phone and downgrade to make it happen, but them's the breaks. Anyway, I'll do this over the next couple of days and go with one or the other.

 

[weriov]

Okay, decision's made. All set to wipe/root/patch to ZVJ and then plan on trying Hydro and Dante both. Thanks to everyone who helped with guidance and friendly advice - I really appreciate all of you!