diff --git a/js/angular/directive/collectionRepeat.js b/js/angular/directive/collectionRepeat.js
index 998c7564fb..df4979a161 100644
--- a/js/angular/directive/collectionRepeat.js
+++ b/js/angular/directive/collectionRepeat.js
@@ -158,15 +158,9 @@ function($collectionRepeatManager, $collectionDataSource, $parse) {
       } else if (!isVertical && !$attr.collectionItemWidth) {
         throw new Error(COLLECTION_REPEAT_ATTR_WIDTH_ERROR);
       }
-      $attr.collectionItemHeight = $attr.collectionItemHeight || '"100%"';
-      $attr.collectionItemWidth = $attr.collectionItemWidth || '"100%"';
 
-      var heightParsed = $attr.collectionItemHeight ?
-        $parse($attr.collectionItemHeight) :
-        function() { return scrollView.__clientHeight; };
-      var widthParsed = $attr.collectionItemWidth ?
-        $parse($attr.collectionItemWidth) :
-        function() { return scrollView.__clientWidth; };
+      var heightParsed = $parse($attr.collectionItemHeight || '"100%"');
+      var widthParsed = $parse($attr.collectionItemWidth || '"100%"');
 
       var heightGetter = function(scope, locals) {
         var result = heightParsed(scope, locals);
diff --git a/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatDataSource.js b/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatDataSource.js
index 8e8c24c35a..f83c23e65d 100644
--- a/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatDataSource.js
+++ b/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatDataSource.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ IonicModule
   '$parse',
   '$rootScope',
 function($cacheFactory, $parse, $rootScope) {
-  var nextCacheId = 0;
+
   function CollectionRepeatDataSource(options) {
     var self = this;
     this.scope = options.scope;
@@ -35,33 +35,28 @@ function($cacheFactory, $parse, $rootScope) {
       };
     }
 
-    var cacheKeys = {};
-    this.itemCache = $cacheFactory(nextCacheId++, {size: 500});
-
-    var _put = this.itemCache.put;
-    this.itemCache.put = function(key, value) {
-      cacheKeys[key] = true;
-      return _put(key, value);
-    };
-
-    var _remove = this.itemCache.remove;
-    this.itemCache.remove = function(key) {
-      delete cacheKeys[key];
-      return _remove(key);
-    };
-    this.itemCache.keys = function() {
-      return Object.keys(cacheKeys);
-    };
+    this.attachedItems = {};
+    this.BACKUP_ITEMS_LENGTH = 10;
+    this.backupItemsArray = [];
   }
   CollectionRepeatDataSource.prototype = {
+    setup: function() {
+      for (var i = 0; i < this.BACKUP_ITEMS_LENGTH; i++) {
+        this.detachItem(this.createItem());
+      }
+    },
     destroy: function() {
       this.dimensions.length = 0;
-      this.itemCache.keys().forEach(function(key) {
-        var item = this.itemCache.get(key);
-        item.element.remove();
-        item.scope.$destroy();
+      this.data = null;
+      forEach(this.backupItemsArray, function(item) {
+        this.destroyItem(item);
       }, this);
-      this.itemCache.removeAll();
+      this.backupItemsArray.length = 0;
+
+      forEach(this.attachedItems, function(item, key) {
+        this.destroyItem(item);
+      }, this);
+      this.attachedItems = {};
     },
     calculateDataDimensions: function() {
       var locals = {};
@@ -74,53 +69,74 @@ function($cacheFactory, $parse, $rootScope) {
         };
       }, this);
     },
-    compileItem: function(index, value) {
-      var key = this.itemHashGetter(index, value);
-      var cachedItem = this.itemCache.get(key);
-      if (cachedItem) return cachedItem;
-
+    createItem: function() {
       var item = {};
       item.scope = this.scope.$new();
-      item.scope[this.keyExpr] = value;
 
       this.transcludeFn(item.scope, function(clone) {
         clone.css('position', 'absolute');
         item.element = clone;
       });
 
-      return this.itemCache.put(key, item);
-    },
-    getItem: function(index) {
-      var value = this.data[index];
-      var item = this.compileItem(index, value);
+      this.transcludeParent.append(item.element);
 
-      if (item.scope.$index !== index) {
+      return item;
+    },
+    getItem: function(hash) {
+      window.AMOUNT = window.AMOUNT || 0;
+      if ( (item = this.attachedItems[hash]) ) {
+        //do nothing, the item is good
+      } else if ( (item = this.backupItemsArray.pop()) ) {
+        reconnectScope(item.scope);
+      } else {
+        AMOUNT++;
+        item = this.createItem();
+      }
+      return item;
+    },
+    attachItemAtIndex: function(index) {
+      var value = this.data[index];
+      var hash = this.itemHashGetter(index, value);
+      var item = this.getItem(hash);
+
+      if (item.scope.$index !== index || item.scope[this.keyExpr] !== value) {
+        item.scope[this.keyExpr] = value;
         item.scope.$index = index;
         item.scope.$first = (index === 0);
         item.scope.$last = (index === (this.getLength() - 1));
         item.scope.$middle = !(item.scope.$first || item.scope.$last);
         item.scope.$odd = !(item.scope.$even = (index&1) === 0);
+
+        //We changed the scope, so digest if needed
+        if (!$rootScope.$$phase) {
+          item.scope.$digest();
+        }
       }
 
+      item.hash = hash;
+      this.attachedItems[hash] = item;
+
       return item;
     },
-    detachItem: function(item) {
-      var i, node, parent;
-      //Don't .remove(), that will destroy element data
-      for (i = 0; i < item.element.length; i++) {
-        node = item.element[i];
-        parent = node.parentNode;
-        parent && parent.removeChild(node);
-      }
-      //Don't .$destroy(), just stop watchers and events firing
-      disconnectScope(item.scope);
+    destroyItem: function(item) {
+      item.element.remove();
+      item.scope.$destroy();
+      item.scope = null;
+      item.element = null;
     },
-    attachItem: function(item) {
-      if (!item.element[0].parentNode) {
-        this.transcludeParent[0].appendChild(item.element[0]);
+    detachItem: function(item) {
+      delete this.attachedItems[item.hash];
+
+      // If we are at the limit of backup items, just get rid of the this element
+      if (this.backupItemsArray.length >= this.BACKUP_ITEMS_LENGTH) {
+        this.destroyItem(item);
+      // Otherwise, add it to our backup items
+      } else {
+        this.backupItemsArray.push(item);
+        item.element.css(ionic.CSS.TRANSFORM, 'translate3d(-2000px,-2000px,0)');
+        //Don't .$destroy(), just stop watchers and events firing
+        disconnectScope(item.scope);
       }
-      reconnectScope(item.scope);
-      !$rootScope.$$phase && item.scope.$digest();
     },
     getLength: function() {
       return this.data && this.data.length || 0;
diff --git a/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.js b/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.js
index 2cf661e17d..a56d64fa7c 100644
--- a/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.js
+++ b/js/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.js
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ IonicModule
   '$rootScope',
   '$timeout',
 function($rootScope, $timeout) {
+  /**
+   * Vocabulary: "primary" and "secondary" size/direction/position mean
+   * "y" and "x" for vertical scrolling, or "x" and "y" for horizontal scrolling.
+   */
   function CollectionRepeatManager(options) {
     var self = this;
     this.dataSource = options.dataSource;
@@ -13,14 +17,14 @@ function($rootScope, $timeout) {
     this.isVertical = !!this.scrollView.options.scrollingY;
     this.renderedItems = {};
 
-    this.lastRenderScrollValue = this.bufferTransformOffset = this.hasBufferStartIndex =
-      this.hasBufferEndIndex = this.bufferItemsLength = 0;
     this.setCurrentIndex(0);
 
+    //Override scrollview's render callback
     this.scrollView.__$callback = this.scrollView.__callback;
     this.scrollView.__callback = angular.bind(this, this.renderScroll);
 
     function getViewportSize() { return self.viewportSize; }
+    //Set getters and setters to match whether this scrollview is vertical or not
     if (this.isVertical) {
       this.scrollView.options.getContentHeight = getViewportSize;
 
@@ -78,43 +82,68 @@ function($rootScope, $timeout) {
         this.removeItem(i);
       }
     },
+
+    /*
+     * Pre-calculate the position of all items in the data list.
+     * Do this using the provided width and height (primarySize and secondarySize)
+     * provided by the dataSource.
+     */
     calculateDimensions: function() {
+      /*
+       * For the sake of explanations below, we're going to pretend we are scrolling
+       * vertically: Items are laid out with primarySize being height,
+       * secondarySize being width.
+       */
       var primaryPos = 0;
       var secondaryPos = 0;
-      var len = this.dataSource.dimensions.length;
       var secondaryScrollSize = this.secondaryScrollSize();
-      var previous;
+      var previousItem;
 
       return this.dataSource.dimensions.map(function(dim) {
+        //Each dimension is an object {width: Number, height: Number} provided by
+        //the dataSource
         var rect = {
+          //Get the height out of the dimension object
           primarySize: this.primaryDimension(dim),
+          //Max out the item's width to the width of the scrollview
           secondarySize: Math.min(this.secondaryDimension(dim), secondaryScrollSize)
         };
 
-        if (previous) {
-          secondaryPos += previous.secondarySize;
-          if (previous.primaryPos === primaryPos &&
+        //If this isn't the first item
+        if (previousItem) {
+          //Move the item's x position over by the width of the previous item
+          secondaryPos += previousItem.secondarySize;
+          //If the y position is the same as the previous item and
+          //the x position is bigger than the scroller's width
+          if (previousItem.primaryPos === primaryPos &&
               secondaryPos + rect.secondarySize > secondaryScrollSize) {
+            //Then go to the next row, with x position 0
             secondaryPos = 0;
-            primaryPos += previous.primarySize;
-          } else {
+            primaryPos += previousItem.primarySize;
           }
         }
 
         rect.primaryPos = primaryPos;
         rect.secondaryPos = secondaryPos;
 
-        previous = rect;
+        previousItem = rect;
         return rect;
       }, this);
     },
     resize: function() {
       this.dimensions = this.calculateDimensions();
-      var last = this.dimensions[this.dimensions.length - 1];
-      this.viewportSize = last ? last.primaryPos + last.primarySize : 0;
+      var lastItem = this.dimensions[this.dimensions.length - 1];
+      this.viewportSize = lastItem ? lastItem.primaryPos + lastItem.primarySize : 0;
       this.setCurrentIndex(0);
       this.render(true);
+      if (!this.dataSource.backupItemsArray.length) {
+        this.dataSource.setup();
+      }
     },
+    /*
+     * setCurrentIndex: set the index in the list that matches the scroller's position.
+     * Also save the position in the scroller for next and previous items (if they exist)
+     */
     setCurrentIndex: function(index, height) {
       this.currentIndex = index;
 
@@ -127,22 +156,41 @@ function($rootScope, $timeout) {
         this.nextPos = this.dimensions[index + 1].primaryPos;
       }
     },
+    /**
+     * override the scroller's render callback to check if we need to
+     * re-render our collection
+     */
     renderScroll: ionic.animationFrameThrottle(function(transformLeft, transformTop, zoom, wasResize) {
       if (this.isVertical) {
-        transformTop = this.getTransformPosition(transformTop);
+        this.renderIfNeeded(transformTop);
       } else {
-        transformLeft = this.getTransformPosition(transformLeft);
+        this.renderIfNeeded(transformLeft);
       }
       return this.scrollView.__$callback(transformLeft, transformTop, zoom, wasResize);
     }),
-    getTransformPosition: function(transformPos) {
-      if ((this.hasNextIndex && transformPos >= this.nextPos) ||
-          (this.hasPrevIndex && transformPos < this.previousPos) ||
-           Math.abs(transformPos - this.lastRenderScrollValue) > 100) {
+    renderIfNeeded: function(scrollPos) {
+      if ((this.hasNextIndex && scrollPos >= this.nextPos) ||
+          (this.hasPrevIndex && scrollPos < this.previousPos)) {
+           // Math.abs(transformPos - this.lastRenderScrollValue) > 100) {
         this.render();
       }
-      return transformPos - this.lastRenderScrollValue;
     },
+    /*
+     * getIndexForScrollValue: Given the most recent data index and a new scrollValue,
+     * find the data index that matches that scrollValue.
+     *
+     * Strategy (if we are scrolling down): keep going forward in the dimensions list,
+     * starting at the given index, until an item with height matching the new scrollValue
+     * is found.
+     *
+     * This is a while loop. In the worst case it will have to go through the whole list
+     * (eg to scroll from top to bottom).  The most common case is to scroll
+     * down 1-3 items at a time.
+     *
+     * While this is not as efficient as it could be, optimizing it gives no noticeable
+     * benefit.  We would have to use a new memory-intensive data structure for dimensions
+     * to fully optimize it.
+     */
     getIndexForScrollValue: function(i, scrollValue) {
       var rect;
       //Scrolling up
@@ -158,62 +206,88 @@ function($rootScope, $timeout) {
       }
       return i;
     },
+    /*
+     * render: Figure out the scroll position, the index matching it, and then tell
+     * the data source to render the correct items into the DOM.
+     */
     render: function(shouldRedrawAll) {
       var i;
-      if (this.currentIndex >= this.dataSource.getLength() || shouldRedrawAll) {
+      var isOutOfBounds = ( this.currentIndex >= this.dataSource.getLength() );
+      // We want to remove all the items and redraw everything if we're out of bounds
+      // or a flag is passed in.
+      if (isOutOfBounds || shouldRedrawAll) {
         for (i in this.renderedItems) {
           this.removeItem(i);
         }
-        if (this.currentIndex >= this.dataSource.getLength()) return null;
+        // Just don't render anything if we're out of bounds
+        if (isOutOfBounds) return;
       }
 
       var rect;
       var scrollValue = this.scrollValue();
-      var scrollDelta = scrollValue - this.lastRenderScrollValue;
+      // Scroll size = how many pixels are visible in the scroller at one time
       var scrollSize = this.scrollSize();
+      // We take the current scroll value and add it to the scrollSize to get
+      // what scrollValue the current visible scroll area ends at.
       var scrollSizeEnd = scrollSize + scrollValue;
+      // Get the new start index for scrolling, based on the current scrollValue and
+      // the most recent known index
       var startIndex = this.getIndexForScrollValue(this.currentIndex, scrollValue);
 
-      //Make buffer start on previous row
-      var bufferStartIndex = Math.max(startIndex - 1, 0);
-      while (bufferStartIndex > 0 &&
-         (rect = this.dimensions[bufferStartIndex]) &&
+      // If we aren't on the first item, add one row of items before so that when the user is
+      // scrolling up he sees the previous item
+      var renderStartIndex = Math.max(startIndex - 1, 0);
+      // Keep adding items to the 'extra row above' until we get to a new row.
+      // This is for the case where there are multiple items on one row above
+      // the current item; we want to keep adding items above until
+      // a new row is reached.
+      while (renderStartIndex > 0 &&
+         (rect = this.dimensions[renderStartIndex]) &&
          rect.primaryPos === this.dimensions[startIndex - 1].primaryPos) {
-        bufferStartIndex--;
+        renderStartIndex--;
       }
-      var startPos = this.dimensions[bufferStartIndex].primaryPos;
 
-      i = bufferStartIndex;
+      // Keep rendering items, adding them until we are past the end of the visible scroll area
+      i = renderStartIndex;
       while ((rect = this.dimensions[i]) && (rect.primaryPos - rect.primarySize < scrollSizeEnd)) {
-        this.renderItem(i, rect.primaryPos - startPos, rect.secondaryPos);
+        this.renderItem(i, rect.primaryPos, rect.secondaryPos);
         i++;
       }
-      var bufferEndIndex = i - 1;
+      var renderEndIndex = i - 1;
 
+      // Remove any items that were rendered and aren't visible anymore
       for (i in this.renderedItems) {
-        if (i < bufferStartIndex || i > bufferEndIndex) {
+        if (i < renderStartIndex || i > renderEndIndex) {
           this.removeItem(i);
         }
       }
 
       this.setCurrentIndex(startIndex);
-      this.lastRenderScrollValue = startPos;
     },
     renderItem: function(dataIndex, primaryPos, secondaryPos) {
-      var item = this.dataSource.getItem(dataIndex);
+      // Attach an item, and set its transform position to the required value
+      var item = this.dataSource.attachItemAtIndex(dataIndex);
       if (item && item.element) {
-        this.dataSource.attachItem(item);
-        item.element.css(ionic.CSS.TRANSFORM, this.transformString(
-          primaryPos, secondaryPos, secondaryPos
-        ));
+        if (item.primaryPos !== primaryPos || item.secondaryPos !== secondaryPos) {
+          item.element.css(ionic.CSS.TRANSFORM, this.transformString(
+            primaryPos, secondaryPos
+          ));
+          item.primaryPos = primaryPos;
+          item.secondaryPos = secondaryPos;
+        }
+        // Save the item in rendered items
         this.renderedItems[dataIndex] = item;
       } else {
+        // If an item at this index doesn't exist anymore, be sure to delete
+        // it from rendered items
         delete this.renderedItems[dataIndex];
       }
     },
     removeItem: function(dataIndex) {
+      // Detach a given item
       var item = this.renderedItems[dataIndex];
       if (item) {
+        item.primaryPos = item.secondaryPos = null;
         this.dataSource.detachItem(item);
         delete this.renderedItems[dataIndex];
       }
diff --git a/test/html/list-fit.html b/test/html/list-fit.html
index 7843428b87..1bb186db94 100644
--- a/test/html/list-fit.html
+++ b/test/html/list-fit.html
@@ -18,48 +18,62 @@
       </a>
     </ion-header-bar>
     <ion-content>
-      <ion-refresher on-refresh="onRefresh()" refreshing-text="Refreshing!"></ion-refresher>
-      <div class="list">
-        <div class="item"
+      <ion-list>
+        <ion-item
+          class="item-avatar-left item-icon-right"
           ng-click="alert(item)"
           collection-repeat="item in items"
-          collection-item-height="52"
-          collection-item-width="120 + 2*($index % 40)"
-          ng-style="{width: 120 + 2*($index % 40)}">
-          {{item}}
-        </div>
-      </div>
+          collection-item-height="85"
+          collection-item-width="'100%'"
+          style="position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0;">
+          <img ng-src="{{item.image}}">
+          <h2>{{item.text}}</h2>
+          <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis porttitor diam urna, vitae consectetur lectus aliquet quis.</p>
+          <i class="icon" style="color:red; font-size: 30px;" ng-class="['ion-ios7-person','ion-person','ion-android-contact','ion-android-social-user','ion-person-stalker'][$index % 5]"></i>
+        </ion-item>
+      </ion-list>
     </ion-content>
   <script>
-function MainCtrl($scope, $ionicScrollDelegate, $timeout) {
-  $scope.items = [];
-  for (var i = 0; i < 5000; i++) {
-    $scope.items.push('item '+i);
+var dataUris = {};
+function convertImgToBase64(url, callback, outputFormat){
+    var canvas = document.createElement('CANVAS'),
+        ctx = canvas.getContext('2d'),
+        img = new Image;
+    img.crossOrigin = 'Anonymous';
+    img.onload = function(){
+        var dataURL;
+        canvas.height = img.height;
+        canvas.width = img.width;
+        ctx.drawImage(img,0,0);
+        dataURL = canvas.toDataURL(outputFormat || 'image/png');
+        callback.call(this, dataURL);
+        canvas = null; 
+    };
+    img.src = url;
+}
+function MainCtrl($scope, $ionicScrollDelegate, $timeout, $q, $ionicLoading) {
+  var images = [];
+
+  $ionicLoading.show({
+      template: 'Loading images...'
+  });
+  var deferred;
+  for (var i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
+    deferred = $q.defer();
+    convertImgToBase64('http://placekitten.com/'+(40+(10*i))+'/'+(40+(10*i)), deferred.resolve);
+    images.push(deferred.promise);      
   }
 
-  $scope.height = function(n) {
-    return 105 + (n % 40);
-  };
-  $scope.width = function(n) {
-    return 105 + (n % 40);
-  };
-
-  //$scope.alert = alert.bind(window);
-
-  $scope.onRefresh = function() {
-    $timeout(function() {
-      var len = $scope.items.length;
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.items.unshift(2999 - $scope.items.length);
-      $scope.$broadcast('scroll.refreshComplete');
-    }, 1500);
-  };
+  $q.all(images).then(function(dataUrls) {
+    $scope.items = [];
+    for (var item = 0; item < 5000; item++) {
+      $scope.items.push({
+        text: 'Item ' + item,
+        image: dataUrls[item % 5]
+      });
+    }
+    $timeout($ionicLoading.hide, 200);
+  });
 
   $scope.scrollBottom = $ionicScrollDelegate.scrollBottom;
 }
diff --git a/test/unit/angular/service/collectionDataSource.unit.js b/test/unit/angular/service/collectionDataSource.unit.js
index c555122239..7023a9a62a 100644
--- a/test/unit/angular/service/collectionDataSource.unit.js
+++ b/test/unit/angular/service/collectionDataSource.unit.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ describe('$collectionDataSource service', function() {
     return dataSource;
   }
 
-  it('should have properties', function() {
+  it('should have properties', inject(function($collectionDataSource) {
     var source = setup({
       scope: 1,
       transcludeFn: 2,
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ describe('$collectionDataSource service', function() {
     expect(source.trackByExpr).toBe(6);
     expect(source.heightGetter).toBe(7);
     expect(source.widthGetter).toBe(8);
-  });
+  }));
 
   describe('.itemHashGetter()', function() {
 
@@ -70,40 +70,18 @@ describe('$collectionDataSource service', function() {
     });
   });
 
-  describe('itemCache', function() {
-
-    it('should be $cacheFactory', function() {
-      var cache = {};
-      module('ionic', function($provide) {
-        $provide.value('$cacheFactory', function() { return cache; });
-      });
-      var source = setup();
-      expect(source.itemCache).toBe(cache);
-    });
-
-    it('should have added keys() method', function() {
-      var source = setup();
-      source.itemCache.put('a', 1);
-      source.itemCache.put('b', 2);
-      expect(source.itemCache.keys()).toEqual(['a', 'b']);
-      source.itemCache.remove('a');
-      expect(source.itemCache.keys()).toEqual(['b']);
-    });
-
-  });
-
-  it('.destroy() should cleanup dimensions & cache', function() {
+  it('.destroy() should cleanup dimensions backupItemsArray and attachedItems', function() {
     var source = setup();
     source.dimensions = [1,2,3];
-    var cachedItem = {
-      scope: { $destroy: jasmine.createSpy('$destroy') },
-      element: { remove: jasmine.createSpy('remove') }
-    };
-    source.itemCache.put('a', cachedItem);
+    source.attachedItems = {0: 'a'};
+    source.backupItemsArray = ['b'];
+    spyOn(source, 'destroyItem');
     source.destroy();
     expect(source.dimensions.length).toBe(0);
-    expect(cachedItem.scope.$destroy).toHaveBeenCalled();
-    expect(cachedItem.element.remove).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(source.destroyItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith('a');
+    expect(source.destroyItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith('b');
+    expect(source.attachedItems).toEqual({});
+    expect(source.backupItemsArray).toEqual([]);
   });
 
   it('.calculateDataDimensions()', function() {
@@ -135,64 +113,128 @@ describe('$collectionDataSource service', function() {
     });
   });
 
-  describe('.compileItem()', function() {
-    it('should get item from cache if exists', function() {
+  describe('.createItem()', function() {
+    it('should return item with new scope and transclude', function() {
       var source = setup();
-      var hash = source.itemHashGetter(1,2);
-      var item = {};
-      source.itemCache.put(hash, item);
-      expect(source.compileItem(1,2)).toBe(item);
-    });
 
-    it('should give back a compiled item and put in cache', function() {
-      var source = setup({
-        keyExpr: 'key'
-      });
-
-      var item = source.compileItem(1, 2);
+      var item = source.createItem();
 
       expect(item.scope.$parent).toBe(source.scope);
-      expect(item.scope.key).toBe(2);
 
       expect(item.element).toBeTruthy();
       expect(item.element.css('position')).toBe('absolute');
       expect(item.element.scope()).toBe(item.scope);
 
-      expect(source.itemCache.get(source.itemHashGetter(1,2))).toBe(item);
+      expect(item.element.parent()[0]).toBe(source.transcludeParent[0]);
     });
   });
 
   describe('.getItem()', function() {
-    it('should return a value with index values set', function() {
+    it('should return attachedItems[hash] if available', function() {
       var source = setup();
-      source.data = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
-      spyOn(source, 'compileItem').andCallFake(function() { return { scope: {} }; });
+      var item = {};
+      source.attachedItems['123'] = item;
+      expect(source.getItem('123')).toBe(item);
+    });
 
-      var item = source.getItem(0);
-      expect(item.scope.$index).toBe(0);
-      expect(item.scope.$first).toBe(true);
-      expect(item.scope.$last).toBe(false);
-      expect(item.scope.$middle).toBe(false);
-      expect(item.scope.$odd).toBe(false);
+    it('should return backupItemsArray item if available, and reconnect the item', function() {
+      var source = setup();
+      var item = {
+        scope: {},
+      };
+      spyOn(window, 'reconnectScope');
+      source.backupItemsArray = [item];
+      expect(source.getItem('123')).toBe(item);
+      expect(reconnectScope).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item.scope);
+    });
 
-      item = source.getItem(1);
-      expect(item.scope.$index).toBe(1);
-      expect(item.scope.$first).toBe(false);
-      expect(item.scope.$last).toBe(false);
-      expect(item.scope.$middle).toBe(true);
-      expect(item.scope.$odd).toBe(true);
-
-      item = source.getItem(2);
-      expect(item.scope.$index).toBe(2);
-      expect(item.scope.$first).toBe(false);
-      expect(item.scope.$last).toBe(true);
-      expect(item.scope.$middle).toBe(false);
-      expect(item.scope.$odd).toBe(false);
+    it('should last resort create an item', function() {
+      var source = setup();
+      var item = {};
+      spyOn(source, 'createItem').andReturn(item);
+      expect(source.getItem('123')).toBe(item);
     });
   });
 
+  describe('.attachItemAtIndex()', function() {
+    it('should return a value with index values set and put in attachedItems', inject(function($rootScope) {
+      var source = setup({
+        keyExpr: 'value'
+      });
+      source.data = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
+      spyOn(source, 'getItem').andCallFake(function() {
+        return { scope: $rootScope.$new() };
+      });
+      spyOn(source, 'itemHashGetter').andCallFake(function(index, value) {
+        return index + ':' + value;
+      });
+
+      var item1 = source.attachItemAtIndex(0);
+      expect(item1.scope.value).toEqual('a');
+      expect(item1.scope.$index).toBe(0);
+      expect(item1.scope.$first).toBe(true);
+      expect(item1.scope.$last).toBe(false);
+      expect(item1.scope.$middle).toBe(false);
+      expect(item1.scope.$odd).toBe(false);
+      expect(item1.hash).toEqual('0:a');
+
+      var item2 = source.attachItemAtIndex(1);
+      expect(item2.scope.value).toEqual('b');
+      expect(item2.scope.$index).toBe(1);
+      expect(item2.scope.$first).toBe(false);
+      expect(item2.scope.$last).toBe(false);
+      expect(item2.scope.$middle).toBe(true);
+      expect(item2.scope.$odd).toBe(true);
+      expect(item2.hash).toEqual('1:b');
+
+      var item3 = source.attachItemAtIndex(2);
+      expect(item3.scope.value).toEqual('c');
+      expect(item3.scope.$index).toBe(2);
+      expect(item3.scope.$first).toBe(false);
+      expect(item3.scope.$last).toBe(true);
+      expect(item3.scope.$middle).toBe(false);
+      expect(item3.scope.$odd).toBe(false);
+      expect(item3.hash).toEqual('2:c');
+
+      expect(source.attachedItems).toEqual({
+        '0:a': item1,
+        '1:b': item2,
+        '2:c': item3
+      });
+    }));
+  });
+
   describe('.detachItem()', function() {
-    it('should remove element from parent and disconnectScope', function() {
+    it('should detach item and add to backup array if there is room', function() {
+      var source = setup();
+      var item = {
+        element: angular.element('<div>'),
+        scope: {},
+        hash: 'foo'
+      };
+      source.backupItemsArray = [];
+      source.attachedItems[item.hash] = item;
+      spyOn(window, 'disconnectScope');
+      source.detachItem(item);
+      expect(source.attachedItems).toEqual({});
+      expect(source.backupItemsArray).toEqual([item]);
+      expect(disconnectScope).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item.scope);
+    });
+    it('should remove element from parent and disconnectScope if backupItemsArray is full', function() {
+      var source = setup();
+      spyOn(source, 'destroyItem');
+      source.BACKUP_ITEMS_LENGTH = 0;
+
+      var item = { hash: 'abc' };
+      source.attachedItems[item.hash] = item;
+      source.detachItem(item);
+      expect(source.destroyItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item);
+      expect(source.attachedItems).toEqual({});
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('.destroyItem()', function() {
+    it('should remove element and destroy scope', function() {
       var source = setup();
       var element = angular.element('<div>');
       var parent = angular.element('<div>').append(element);
@@ -200,55 +242,17 @@ describe('$collectionDataSource service', function() {
         element: element,
         scope: {}
       };
-      spyOn(window, 'disconnectScope');
+      var destroySpy = item.scope.$destroy = jasmine.createSpy('$destroy');
 
       expect(element[0].parentNode).toBe(parent[0]);
-      source.detachItem(item);
+      source.destroyItem(item);
       expect(element[0].parentNode).toBeFalsy();
-      expect(disconnectScope).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item.scope);
+      expect(destroySpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(item.scope).toBe(null);
+      expect(item.element).toBe(null);
     });
   });
 
-  describe('.attachItem()', function() {
-    it('should add element if it has no parent and digest', inject(function($rootScope) {
-      var source = setup({
-        transcludeParent: angular.element('<div>')
-      });
-      var element = angular.element('<div>');
-      spyOn(window, 'reconnectScope');
-      var item = {
-        element: element,
-        scope: $rootScope.$new()
-      };
-
-      spyOn(item.scope, '$digest');
-      spyOn(source.transcludeParent[0], 'appendChild');
-      source.attachItem(item);
-      expect(source.transcludeParent[0].appendChild).toHaveBeenCalledWith(element[0]);
-      expect(reconnectScope).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item.scope);
-      expect(item.scope.$digest).toHaveBeenCalled();
-    }));
-
-    it('should not append element if it has a parent already', inject(function($rootScope) {
-      var element = angular.element('<div>');
-      var source = setup({
-        transcludeParent: angular.element('<div>')
-          .append(element)
-      });
-      spyOn(window, 'reconnectScope');
-      var item = {
-        element: element,
-        scope: $rootScope.$new()
-      };
-      spyOn(item.scope, '$digest');
-      source.attachItem(item);
-      spyOn(source.transcludeParent[0], 'appendChild');
-      expect(source.transcludeParent[0].appendChild).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      expect(reconnectScope).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item.scope);
-      expect(item.scope.$digest).toHaveBeenCalled();
-    }));
-  });
-
   describe('.getLength()', function() {
     it('should return 0 by default', function() {
       var source = setup();
diff --git a/test/unit/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.unit.js b/test/unit/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.unit.js
index 88d6a09e65..823cd69d65 100644
--- a/test/unit/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.unit.js
+++ b/test/unit/angular/service/collectionRepeatManager.unit.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe('collectionRepeatManager service', function() {
       var dataSource = new $collectionDataSource(angular.extend({
         scope: $rootScope.$new(),
         transcludeParent: angular.element('<div>'),
-        trancsludeFn: function(scope, cb) {
+        transcludeFn: function(scope, cb) {
           cb($compile('<div></div>')(scope));
         },
         keyExpr: 'key',
@@ -328,41 +328,23 @@ describe('collectionRepeatManager service', function() {
   });
 
   describe('.renderScroll()', function() {
-    it('with isVertical', function() {
+    it('should pass the values to __$callback', function() {
       var manager = setup();
-      spyOn(manager, 'getTransformPosition').andReturn('banana');
       spyOn(manager.scrollView, '__$callback');
       manager.renderScroll(1, 2, 3, 4);
-      expect(manager.getTransformPosition).toHaveBeenCalledWith(2);
-      expect(manager.scrollView.__$callback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1,'banana',3,4);
-    });
-
-    it('with !isVertical', function() {
-      var manager = setup();
-      manager.isVertical = false;
-      spyOn(manager, 'getTransformPosition').andReturn('blueberry');
-      spyOn(manager.scrollView, '__$callback');
-      manager.renderScroll(1, 2, 3, 4);
-      expect(manager.getTransformPosition).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1);
-      expect(manager.scrollView.__$callback).toHaveBeenCalledWith('blueberry',2,3,4);
+      expect(manager.scrollView.__$callback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1, 2, 3, 4);
     });
   });
 
-  describe('.getTransformPosition()', function() {
-    it('should return pos - lastRenderScrollValue', function() {
-      var manager = setup();
-      manager.lastRenderScrollValue = 11;
-      expect(manager.getTransformPosition(44)).toBe(33);
-    });
-
+  describe('.renderIfNeeded()', function() {
     it('should render if >= nextPos', function() {
       var manager = setup();
       spyOn(manager, 'render');
       manager.hasNextIndex = true;
       manager.nextPos = 30;
-      manager.getTransformPosition(20);
+      manager.renderIfNeeded(20);
       expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(30);
+      manager.renderIfNeeded(30);
       expect(manager.render).toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
@@ -371,31 +353,11 @@ describe('collectionRepeatManager service', function() {
       spyOn(manager, 'render');
       manager.hasPrevIndex = true;
       manager.previousPos = 50;
-      manager.getTransformPosition(60);
+      manager.renderIfNeeded(60);
       expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(50);
+      manager.renderIfNeeded(50);
       expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(49);
-      expect(manager.render).toHaveBeenCalled();
-    });
-
-    it('should render if abs(val)>100', function() {
-      var manager = setup();
-      spyOn(manager, 'render');
-      manager.getTransformPosition(60);
-      expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(100);
-      expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(101);
-      expect(manager.render).toHaveBeenCalled();
-
-      manager.render.reset();
-
-      manager.getTransformPosition(-60);
-      expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(-100);
-      expect(manager.render).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      manager.getTransformPosition(-101);
+      manager.renderIfNeeded(49);
       expect(manager.render).toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
@@ -425,7 +387,7 @@ describe('collectionRepeatManager service', function() {
       var manager = setup();
       manager.renderedItems = {'a':1, 'b':1};
       spyOn(manager, 'removeItem');
-      expect(manager.render()).toBe(null);
+      manager.render();
       expect(manager.removeItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith('a');
       expect(manager.removeItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith('b');
     });
@@ -522,16 +484,15 @@ describe('collectionRepeatManager service', function() {
   });
 
   describe('.renderItem()', function() {
-    it('should attachItem and set the element transform', function() {
+    it('should attachItemAtIndex and set the element transform', function() {
       var manager = setup();
       var item = {
         element: angular.element('<div>')
       };
       spyOn(item.element, 'css');
-      spyOn(manager.dataSource, 'getItem').andReturn(item);
-      spyOn(manager.dataSource, 'attachItem');
+      spyOn(manager.dataSource, 'attachItemAtIndex').andReturn(item);
       manager.renderItem(0, 33, 44);
-      expect(manager.dataSource.attachItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item);
+      expect(manager.dataSource.attachItemAtIndex).toHaveBeenCalledWith(0);
       expect(item.element.css).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
         ionic.CSS.TRANSFORM,
         manager.transformString(33, 44)
@@ -545,10 +506,9 @@ describe('collectionRepeatManager service', function() {
       var manager = setup();
       var item = {};
       manager.renderedItems[0] = item;
-      spyOn(manager.dataSource, 'getItem').andReturn(item);
+      spyOn(manager, 'removeItem').andCallThrough();
       spyOn(manager.dataSource, 'detachItem');
       manager.removeItem(0);
-      expect(manager.dataSource.detachItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(item);
       expect(manager.renderedItems).toEqual({});
     });
   });