[Verizon LG G3] hokiealumnus:
This started as a PM to a member that seemed like it might be at least a little useful to others as well, so I'm putting it in a thread. The question asked was (heavily paraphrased): What works/what doesn't on AOSP vs. Stock? My answer can't possibly cover every positive/negative out there, so a thread might help those on the fence or just considering giving it a whirl. What I can do is help people that haven't flashed AOSP to take note of the quirks in actually getting one installed.

First, some tips on flashing an AOSP ROM to the VS985 G3.

I always wipe everything, including internal storage, but especially so when jumping between stock & AOSP. Then I install all software from my SD card. That's a personal preference, but I almost never have problems and attribute that to thorough wiping.

This is pretty basic, but if you've only flashed stock, you need to know that AOSP requires you to flash both the ROM itself and gapps. I'm using the TK Gapps Full package, for what that's worth.

Specific to our phone, if you value the QuickRemote app, you can get it for flashing and use on AOSP ROMs. See this thread.

You will probably want a better camera than the Google camera included with AOSP. To that end, I use the flashable MotoX camera port and accompanying gallery. See this thread for that camera. There are other cameras and I'm happy to post what people use in here if you supply links.

Lastly, some ROMs do a baseband check. Since 24B is somewhat new, chances are decent you'll be trying to flash an AOSP ROM that dislikes your modem, so you'll need to flash the 23C modem before you flash the ROM; otherwise it may thrown an error and refuse to install the ROM. After installing you can then flash back to 24B modem (which gets better signal for me). Here are the modems:

23C modem - https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95916177934553732

24B modem - https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24052804347773137

Everybody does things differently, but my process for installing is....

Install Process

0) Back up your photos/files. Back up your apps with Titanium Backup & move them to your SD card.

1) Wipe everything, including internal storage.

2) Install the ROM.

3) (optional) Install the Kernel of your choice. **

4) Install gapps.

5) Install camera (and gallery if you want).

6) Install QuickRemote.

7) Wipe cache/dalvic for good measure.

8) Boot up, log in, get everything set up.

9) (optional) Go back into TWRP and install the 24B Modem.

**It's usually worth it to check out the stock kernel first, then if you want to try others you can do so later on. IF it's later, personally, I always wipe cache/dalvic after flashing a kernel. I'm putting the step in there because if I already know the kernel and like it, or if I'm upgrading the ROM, I'll go ahead and install with the ROM.

Thoughts/Experience Comments

The only real thing I miss vs. stock is the camera. That said, there are good options out there, including the previously mentioned MotoX. Image quality seems to be near, if not quite all the way to, stock. It doesn't seem to want to save photos to SD though, so keep that in mind when you want to flash a different ROM - you'll need to get your photos off internal storage.

If you use a different camera and want to supply a link/links, please do so and I'll be happy to add them to the OP!

Aside from the camera, there has always been talk of slightly decreased signal. I have not found that to be the case; in fact, WiFi seems stronger. I do not use bluetooth at all, but have seen in the past that bluetooth has been an issue, depending on the ROM. You'll just need to read through ROM threads and find out whether that's an issue for you. I have zero functionality problems with anything.

Battery life is definitely better for me on AOSP. SkyDragon is superb for a stock ROM, but stock stuff on top of AOSP does cost some battery, even though SkyDragon does a superb job of minimizing that.

Truth be told, I prefer the AOSP interface to LG's. The main reason I usually stick with stock/go back to stock is the camera. The moto camera is close enough that I might stay with AOSP for a while, at least until LG updates stock again, then my crack-flash-addiction may take over.

FWIW, I am very happily using Orion ROM right now, along with the Nebula kernel and TK Gapps.

Please feel free to share your input on AOSP experience. Mine is not all-encompassing, and surely people have problems that I haven't run into. Also share your cameras - I'm always on the lookout for good options there too. :)