Interesting question: Would you upgrade if...

[Michael_514]

Hi guys!

So, everything is running well so far. I prefer the 8525 over my other units (SX66 and 8125), but now I have an interesting question for you guys...

I just bought two 8525s, one for me and one for my dad.

He's a newb.


When a PocketPC is gonna be used by me, I spend a good week here, and learn about all the different ROMS, the pros and cons of each Radio Version... I tweak the extended ROMs to leave in just what I need, and so forth...

HOWEVER.... Seeing as though one of my 8525's is going to a NON-Power user like ourselves....

....Would you, off-hand, based on your experience with these devices, leave it as-is as it came in the box, or do you think I should educate myself and offer him non "commercial release" ROMs and so forth.

I SIM Unlocked the one in front of me, and this is what I have:

HERM100
ROM 2.15.502.3
Radio 1.16
Protocol 32.52.7018.01H

You can REST ASSURED that in MY unit, I'll be investigating ALL the new Radio Versions, and so forth. But sometimes the consequences are not so pretty.

So, any advice is welcome...

Hand over this baby with my favorite apps,
or......
Start upgrading and then give it to him.

I've only had these for a day, so I trust your judgement more than me, and he's anxious!

Thanks!

Mike
Proto

[ronfin44]

If he doesn't care about it other than "it makes calls", then don't waste the time and just hand it over. Why take the slimmest chance of running into problems if you're just handing it over? If he only needs it for a phone, I wouldn't mess with it. It works fine right out of the box w/o adding a lot of junk to it.

As for yours, knock yourself out! I love tweakin my 8525 and don't care if I run into a wall, unless its a brick wall. ;) Part of the fun is learning to work through the problems you incur. ;)

[The_Hawk]

It's a real toss up, on one hand leaving it stock will have it's advantages as he won't have to wonder if he's doing something wrong or if it's a "tweak" issue.

On the other hand, most of these ROMS are pretty damn stable anyway.

I'd lean towards upgrading it (after you have done yours) to whatever you use. That way you will be better placed to fix anything he breaks as you will be more familiar with it...

That and I just like upgrading things.

[Michael_514]

This is cool advice... and I agree with both trains of thoughts.

Let me then try to focus on the Hermes/8525:

I dunno.. I have been using mine all day, and it's worked like a charm. Bluetooth worked well. Battery life seems acceptable. Can surf via wifi and via GPRS. Seems like the production ROM ain't so bad!

When it came to my SX66... oh my god... the production ROM SUCKED big time! Radio problems! Bluetooth problems! Memory management problems!

With the 8125... the ROMS were useful, but had their share of quirks... "The system font changes to Times new Roman"..... "The Close GPRS button no longer works..." etc.


So, are the 8525 ROMS really pretty stable?
Overall, do they really do a lot of good?

Beleive me, for my device... I plan on spending the next two weeks learning EVERYTHING!

But for him... Is there any real compelling reason to say, "That Radio version is TERRRRIBLE!" or "You will increase battery life by 100% by upgrading the ROM!!".... or, not so much?

(I think I am just being lazy and wanna give him the unit already!! :) I want to read the Wiki and explore the ROMS at my pace!)


But I gotta tell ya... so far... mine is behaving quite nicely, with no ROM tweaks.....!

[trashcan]

The stock 8525 came with a buggy WM5 and it hangs couple times a week..why not put Vanilla WM6 OS onto the phone and make it a more stable, longer battery life phone for the non pro to use?

[Michael_514]

The stock 8525 came with a buggy WM5 and it hangs couple times a week..why not put Vanilla WM6 OS onto the phone and make it a more stable, longer battery life phone for the non pro to use?

Gulp!

I was afraid someone would post something along these lines!

I spoke to my dad. I have until Wednesday to play, then he wants his unit.

Until then, I'll see what I can absorb!

Thanks!

[JasenR]

Besides wanting his phone by Wednesday, what does he want? Did he ask you to tweak it or upgrade it? Perhaps he would enjoy reading some of the threads here himself? I would say the decision should be his since he will be the one using it. If it were me I would give it to him factory fresh, show him this site, and offer to assist him if he wants to upgrade or has any problems with the "out of box" config.

PS: don't brick the phone trying to rush an upgrade by Wednesday!

[Michael_514]

You know what?

I totally agree with you.

I think I will just leave it as-is (after unlocking it), plus I'll put in my usual killer apps (spb pocket plus, Voice Command, Weather Panel, Adobe, MS Reader, 1-calc, etc.)

And leave it.

ALTHOUGH.... I do have to say....

My unit required three reboots in two days.
Frozen!

Also, the battery life seems to be pretty crappy.

AND, I am hearing some pausing/skipping in the audio.


Soooooooo....... I think I'll have to read up way more on the units.

But in the meantime, I'll give him mine on Wednesday, which is fresh.

Then I'll do some serious research here.

Upgrade mine.

Then I'll ask him for his back, and upgrade it, too.

I am surprised that the unit isn't so stable after all.

I guess that's why we all come here in the first place! :D