10 replies to this topic

[Gasman2]

I have a T-Mobile G2, still running Android 1.5.  I've unlocked it and rooted it, but is it worth installing a custom ROM or should I just upgrade to the standard v2.1 on the basis that a stable 2.2 running sense is looking less likely as most developers are moving on to newer phones?

Are there still advantages to custom versions of 2.1 v the standard T-Mob / HTC 2.1?

[ptruman]

Gasman2, on Jan 17 2011, 10:37, said:

I have a T-Mobile G2, still running Android 1.5.  I've unlocked it and rooted it, but is it worth installing a custom ROM or should I just upgrade to the standard v2.1 on the basis that a stable 2.2 running sense is looking less likely as most developers are moving on to newer phones?

Are there still advantages to custom versions of 2.1 v the standard T-Mob / HTC 2.1?

The main benefits are that you can backup your entire phone, and of course the speed difference, and in some cases, battery life.
If you've rooted, install the AmonRa custom recovery ROM, backup your phone, flash a ROM, try it, and if you don't like it, restore the original

[ptruman]

Gasman2, on Jan 17 2011, 10:37, said:

I have a T-Mobile G2, still running Android 1.5.  I've unlocked it and rooted it, but is it worth installing a custom ROM or should I just upgrade to the standard v2.1 on the basis that a stable 2.2 running sense is looking less likely as most developers are moving on to newer phones?

Are there still advantages to custom versions of 2.1 v the standard T-Mob / HTC 2.1?

The main benefits are that you can backup your entire phone, and of course the speed difference, and in some cases, battery life.
If you've rooted, install the AmonRa custom recovery ROM, backup your phone, flash a ROM, try it, and if you don't like it, restore the original

[Gasman2]

Wow - thanks for the fast response.  I'd also like to say thanks for the guide to all things Hero you produced here.

As you seem to be something of a 'Hero Guru' (!) are there any specific ROMs you'd recommend me trying?  I'm not looking for cutting edge - stability is more important.  Speed and added functions would be advantages - I'd prefer to not loose any functions (eg camera) and BT is an absolute must for me.

Many thanks!

[ptruman]

Gasman2, on Jan 17 2011, 11:33, said:

Wow - thanks for the fast response.  I'd also like to say thanks for the guide to all things Hero you produced here.

As you seem to be something of a 'Hero Guru' (!) are there any specific ROMs you'd recommend me trying?  I'm not looking for cutting edge - stability is more important.  Speed and added functions would be advantages - I'd prefer to not loose any functions (eg camera) and BT is an absolute must for me.

Many thanks!

I'm not a guru, just someone who doesn't have the option to move to a newer/faster phone for a bit

I would recommend the Modaco r5 release, but the custom version I had had periodic Sense crashes - so I have moved to VillainROM 12, which is quicker and seems more stable.  I am currently having some battery issues though, but I suspect that's down to my phone having a crap HSDPA reception area, and the phone keeping searching for a signal :\

Both the Modaco and VR images have all hardware working, and you won't get a 2.2 ROM which works "properly" - as even if the hardware works, Flash won't, and there is currently not Hero Sense 2.2 ported ROM - so it depends what you can/cannot live with....(but 2.2 is WAY quicker, but lack of Flash/SENSE was going to bug me)

[toxic-hero]

or if you are willing to forget about sense, than you'll find yourself in a ROM heaven. i liked sense very much but would never go back to it now. however it's hard to start with no-sense ROMs since many default android apps just suck bad (like launcher, gallery, music player, sms...) and you must find a decent substitute for each one of them. but when you're done with that, you'd never go back...

Edited by toxic-hero, 17 January 2011 - 06:49 PM.

[Gasman2]

toxic-hero, on Jan 17 2011, 18:48, said:

or if you are willing to forget about sense, than you'll find yourself in a ROM heaven. i liked sense very much but would never go back to it now. .......and you must find a decent substitute for each one of them. but when you're done with that, you'd never go back...

Really?  Are the non sense ROMs really that good?  I presume you're talking about 2.2 ROMs?  Why are they so much better than a reasonable 2.1 with sense?

Is there a particualr ROM you'd recommend?  Either 2.1, 2.2 or one of each?

Is it easy to find alternative applications if I did go 'non-sense'?

Many thanks

[Gasman2]

ptruman, on Jan 17 2011, 15:20, said:

I would recommend the Modaco r5 release, but the custom version I had had periodic Sense crashes - so I have moved to VillainROM 12, which is quicker and seems more stable.

OK - thanks for the recommendations

ptruman, on Jan 17 2011, 15:20, said:

you won't get a 2.2 ROM which works "properly" - as even if the hardware works, Flash won't, and there is currently not Hero Sense 2.2 ported ROM - so it depends what you can/cannot live with....(but 2.2 is WAY quicker, but lack of Flash/SENSE was going to bug me)

I'm not too fussed about flash.
Camera and Bluetooth are really important to me
I really like sense, but haven't tried Android without it - so not sure on whether that is a must have or not!

[ptruman]

Gasman2, on Jan 18 2011, 19:57, said:

I'm not too fussed about flash.

You'd be surprised if you browse the internet.... :\
(either that or I use a lot of sites with Flash bits....)

[Maksymilian]

A 2.2 ROM I would recommend is Floyo by Erasmux can be found here on XDA http://forum.xda-dev...ad.php?t=784689
I used it every day for about 3-4 months before upgrading phone to Nexus S. Had no real problems its very user friendly and has ADW built in. There are plenty of other equally as good I just seemed to settle for Floyo. Never needed flash as most vids were on youtube anyhow.
I give it try, once you start flashing ROMs you just cant stop.

[toxic-hero]

Gasman2, on Jan 18 2011, 21:10, said:

1. Really?  Are the non sense ROMs really that good?  I presume you're talking about 2.2 ROMs?  Why are they so much better than a reasonable 2.1 with sense?

2. Is there a particualr ROM you'd recommend?  Either 2.1, 2.2 or one of each?

3. Is it easy to find alternative applications if I did go 'non-sense'?

1. well it depends how you look at it... they're quite quick although 2.1 sense was already quite quick. also getting rid of sense you get some additional space on your phone which is good cos hero haven't got much space. for me the main advantage is the new android stuff introduced with froyo. i can't remember all of the new things cos i'm on froyo for 6 months now. all in all, a good sense 2.1 rom is good and fast enough but if you lack some of the features introduced later (google around for them), you're ready for froyo. also: i'm quite conservative with roms, i don't take "experimental" stuff cos i need a rom for everyday use and i must say 2.2 is good enough.

2. i use the latest froydvillain and i'm very satisfied with it. others recomended by most users are floyo and cronos (which i haven't tried cos i stick with what works good).

3. google around, ask people, ask me... i already abandoned a part of sense back then when i was on modaco r5. i deleted rosie (a sense launcher) and started using launcherpro which is much better and which i still use on FV. the only thing that i really miss (apart from flash lite) is a better camera. a non sense camera looks kind of ugly but works ok.

but if you try 2.2 and you're not satisfied with it you can always do a nandroid restore to 2.1. i still have a modaco r5 nandroid backup on my sd but naver needed to go back...