[pastafarian]

What I do is make a final sync, before I reconnect the device for the first time after flash, delete the partnership but keep the sync folder . Rename the old sync folder in my documents (add a 2 or something). After flashing I name my device before sync(I maintain a name to keep Mobsync syncing with my sd card). I connect and set up a new partnership, after sync I copy all the files from the old sync folder to the new. No restore from a backup necessary, everything is restored. I also keep a recent Sprite B/u on my sd card (I auto b/u every night and keep the 3 latest) in case I should have to hard reset or replace the device. After my old Mogul got replaced (repeatedly) all I needed to do was unlock, flash and restore b/u and everything was back in ~15min. I'm not sure that was exactly what you're looking for, but hope it's of some help.