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Posts Tagged ‘Accurate Navigation’

TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System Factory Refurbished

June 16th, 2009 GPS Reviews No comments

TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System Factory Refurbished




Tom Tom One 3rd Edition GPS (Refurbished) Enjoy safe, relaxed, and cost-effective driving thanks to the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition. And it works straight out of the box! The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition features a user-friendly 3.5-inch touchscreen, loud & clear spoken directions, and comes with the latest and most complete maps of US & Canada. You’ll get door-to-door accurate navigation anywhere across the continent. Because you can get new maps and free software upgrades through TomTom HOME, you’ll never be out of date. You can even add to, update, and personalize your maps instantly using TomTom Map Share technology. TomTom Map Share is a proprietary map improvement technology unique to TomTom, which enables you to respond in real time to changes in the road network and correct the maps on your TomTom device accordingly. Thanks to the smart user interface, it’s easy to make improvements, such as to mark blocked or unblocked streets, reverse one-way traffic or insert new street names, which will instantly take effect. Roads are continually changing. This feature gives you the option to capture these changes on your TomTom ONE in-between map releases, and keep your data current. These changes allow the community of TomTom Map Share users to always have the most up-to-date maps and inside local knowledge at their fingertips. The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition also features a sleek lightweight design that’s so compact you can easily carry it to and from your vehicle

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Tom-Tom Refurb. is GARBAGE, So is their Customer Service
I bought this piece of junk and spent 6 hours making 5 different calls to Tom-Tom’s Customer Service. They were so UN-informed and NOT-TRAINED in their products. The first two calls the best they could or would do was send me an e-mail “For directions how to fix your problem”… it was a only a hyperlink to their general website. The 3rd time I called the C/S person spoke almost NO English, and was getting mad AT ME when I kept saying “I’m sorry, I don’t understand you” (He was french)One person advised me to erase all of the pre-loaded data and re-load the unit (Took over 1 hour) & it still would not work. The last (5th) call said “Send it back & in about 2-3 weeks you’ll get another (refurb) back from us. FORGET IT. Look in the paper. All of the other brands are selling new & better models for the same or less. FORGET TOM-TOM!!! Their Customer Service is POOR and if you are buying refurbished, you are buying someone elses problem.

5 Stars tom tom
this has revoloutionised our lives – it is awesome! no more being lost in the ghettos looking for a police station to get directions!!!

i dont know how i survived without one before.

its so easy even my dad could use it. (he has just mastered the microwave after 25 years).

1 Star many maps are wrong
Have only used this a few times but two of the destinations were wrong. Yesterday it sent me to the correct address, but in the wrong town. It doesn’t even direct me home correctly. It cannot find my home address. Unfortunately the codes it came with to update the maps, did not work. Is this because it is refurbished? I know it costs to update the maps but shouldn’t a current unit come with current maps? So far, using this item has been extremely frustrating and I usually turn it off and figure it out for myself. Total waste.

5 Stars user friendly
Very easy to use right out of the box. I was able to make many modifications to our route using the menus, without reading a manual.

4 Stars After a 1700 mile tryout
Overall, quite good. BUT google maps still gives better routes. I compared this unit with routes from google maps through MA, NY, PA, and OH. For the most part it performed well. One exception was sending us to a dirt gravel road when a nice road was parallel but 1/2 mile further up and it turned out it sent us over a northern route when google used a faster southern route that we had to back-track to. SO, plan your routes with google, then use the gps to get you there, forcing the route if necessary. YOU must evaluate the best route suggested.

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Navigon FreshMaps Map Update Service

June 7th, 2009 GPS Reviews No comments

Navigon FreshMaps Map Update Service




Freahmaps Description Roads reconfigure. Restaurants open and close. Keep your GPS accurate and up-to-date over the long haul with NAVIGON FreshMaps, providing up to 12 field-verified map updates in three years. Our maps undergo more than 150 million map updates annually. Just plug in to your computer and refresh your NAVIGON device with the most accurate map and POI data available. Details Regular map and POI updates for accurate navigation Up to 12 quality updates over three years Field-tested by NAVTEQ and quality-controlled at the source Simple activation – process no monthly or hidden fees Easy to use and download updates Compatible with all NAVIGON devices

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Easy, Inexpensive, Very Satisfied
I purchased FreshMaps last week, registered it and instantly downloaded the latest map/POI update (1st Qtr 2009). Setup was easy, and the download/install process took less than 2 hours. (and it’s done automatically – you don’t have to baby sit the install.

Once complete, I discovered several POI’s that were not present before, and after checking the file sizes, I saw that the states where I travel mostly showed significant increase.

All I can say is that it is extremely important to me that my GPS is current, and FreshMaps guarantees that in the most cost effective solution out there. For less than $.05 per day, I get 1 update per quarter for the next three years. How can you beat that?

All you have to do, is register the Fresh Maps subscription and plug the GPS into the USB port, Open “Fresh” (the Navigon free update software) and click on Map Update. The wizard then walks you through creating a backup of your current software, and a download install of the new map software. That’s it. Nothing to it.

Based upon the feedback I have received on my review of the 8100T, there are obviously user preferences out there that would prompt someone to like one GPS over another. That’s what the free market is all about. Yet, when it comes to the basics of keeping the device current, it’s hard to argue that there is a better solution out there than Fresh Maps. It’s by far the least expensive, and it does what it says it will do – update your map/POI’s on a quarterly basis. As always, just my $.02.

4 Stars Great Maps
With the new maps I was able to travel using my GPS in places that the old maps didn’t show. I am pleased with this product and anyone with a Navigon GPS unit should get Fresh Maps to stay up to date.

4 Stars Great Value considering what other charge for map updates
I purchased the Fresh Maps from Amazon for about $50 +/-. You get 12 updates over three years, which is one update every 4 months for 3 years. I sucessfully downloaded the update using the free Navigon software available on Navigon’s web site to my Navigon 7200T. It took nearly 5 hours to download the new maps over a DSL line. I have not had an opportunity to use the unit since the download, so I can’t say what the changes are yet or if there are any improvements. The only reason I am giving this a 4 star rating is the amount of time the download takes. If it wasn’t for that, I would rate it 5 stars, since it is a real value given the other GPS systems charge more than the cost of Fresh Maps for each and every update you get.

Given how technology changes, I figure in 3 years when the updates run out, I may be looking to replace my Navigon 7200T with a newer version. Who knows what they will be able to do in 3 years.

3 Stars Download Maps
The download took many hours and never did show 100% complete. During the process I called for help three times and was given diffent advice each time. Finally, I was advised to end the download and then try the unit to see if it worked. It did and the updated maps are obviously important.

1 Star CUSTOMERS AWARE – FreshMaps deceptive Marketing
I love my 2100 Navigon. (Read my review on the same). I loved it so much when it got destroyed I went and bought a 2nd. Navigon. You may buy a 2nd. navigon due to various reasons – like my case, just for upgrading to newer model, vandalism (more & more happening now), etc. So here I am, with just 2 downloads from possible 12 and I try to register my FreshMaps subscription service — REPEAT NAVIGON SAYS IT’S A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE for my new Navigon – 2200T. Nada,zilch, zero, null. Customer service: NO, YOU NEED TO BUY NOW A NEW SUBSCRIPTION, NEW FRESH MAPS, etc. etc. I tell them – where it’s written in their terms & conditions – it’s not transferable. No Sir – not written, it’s ASSUMED. It’s our Company policy, etc. That’s PURE VANILLA DECEPTIVE MARKETING and also absolutely foolish strategy. Why? I returned back my 2200T, went to Craigslist.org ; bought myself a nice USED 2100 and I continue to happily and merrily use my FreshMaps subscription!! So, ALL YOU GOOD FOLKS – remember – if you buy this you’re locking yourself into Navigon’s product for the lifetime of the subscription. This includes TRAFFIC, ZAGAT, everthing. I just thought all should be made aware of this limitation.

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Navigon N100 LOOX Portable GPS Navigator

June 7th, 2009 GPS Reviews No comments

Navigon N100 LOOX Portable GPS Navigator




If keeping your gadgets small and pocketable is important, and you need a capable GPS device that also boasts some slick media functions, then the Navigon N100 from Fujitsu-Siemens deserves a look.

The Navigon GPS Navigator is compact and strikingly elegant in design. View larger.

View Navigon software demo – View device in 3D.

Robust 3D maps make it easy to see where you are going at a glance.

The user interface is easy to navigate.

Load up your music and jam out. The device supports MP3, WMA, and AAC music files.

Have some fun with the included games.

Design
One of the N100’s most impressive features is its size. Measuring just 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches (L x W x H), it fits easily in the palm — quite impressive when you consider how much is loaded into its diminutive package. The bright, 2.8-inch touchscreen offered great clarity indoors, but was quickly washed out in bright sunlight. A small slot on top accepts MicroSD media, and the included 2 GB card contains complete mapping and points of interest data for the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and Puerto Rico.

A mini-USB port on the side of the N100 does double duty for charging and data connectivity, making it simple to upload music, photos, and videos to the device from your PC. Other highlights include a removable battery that lets you carry a spare when you’re away from an outlet for extended periods, and a small (perhaps a bit too small) stylus that’s tucked away in the rear panel.

Navigation
Powered by the latest SiRFstar III chipset, which is designed to improve communication with GPS satellites for smoother, more accurate navigation, as well as a 300 MHz processor, the N100 has all the right muscle–at least on paper–to provide a great handheld GPS navigation experience. The rubber really hits the pavement, though, when you evaluate how well the hardware interacts with the software on a GPS device.

Fujitsu-Siemens has chosen to go with Navigon’s MobileNavigator 6, which has a slick, relatively easy-to-use interface, clear mapping details in 2D or 3D, and voice guidance. Our gripe with the software, though, was its rather sluggish performance on this device. Menus opened slowly, screens were slow to refresh, and some actions froze the device entirely, forcing a rather lengthy reboot process.

With a destination entered into the N100, the Navigon software does a passable job of getting you there, although it can struggle to quickly attain your direction of travel when you’re first getting started, which can lead to bad directions and missed turns. Voice aids are handy, as is the N100’s “lane advice” feature, which suggests which lane of a highway you should enter to be in the best position for the next maneuver. The N100’s points of interest system is robust, offering easily recognizable company logos for common destinations — now you can have the Golden Arches on your GPS screen, too!

Multimedia
The N100’s small size makes it a perfect multimedia companion. Fill up a MicroSD card with all the music, video, and photos it will hold and you’ve got a great little entertainment center in your pocket. The applications that power the N100’s media functions are a bit simplistic and unrefined, but they do the job. One big plus is the N100’s support for a wide range of music formats, including MP3, WMA, and AAC. Video support is less robust; only WMV-format videos are supported. A world clock and calculator are included, along with two games, Bricks and Smart Pixie. The latter is a Pac Man reproduction that is sure to please.

At the end of the day, the N100 is a well-designed device that suffers from sluggish performance and a lack of polish when it comes to integrating hardware and software. However, if size is your chief concern when looking for a fully-featured GPS device, this one might be just for you.

Pros

  • Small and pocketable
  • Robust points of interest database
  • Good multimedia features

Cons

  • Sluggish and unresponsive at times
  • User interface could use some refinements

What’s in the Box
Navigon N100 Pocket LOOX handheld navigator, AC power adapter, 12-volt vehicle power adapter, USB cable, headphones, windshield and dashboard mount, changeable cover, 2 GB mini SD card, user’s manual and quick-start guide.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Looking for a map update….
Good luck trying to get an updated map for this product.

I loved my unit when I first bought it, the size, features, etc.

Now that it is 4 years old, it needs a map update.

I can’t get one anywhere, even at Navigon’s site.

5 Stars Great All Around GPS with 20 solid Channel indoor GPS RECIEVER
Best of All:

First of all the software on this unit is the same as all the other Navigon GPS’s, they do software and map updates every Quarter and actually just released one not to long ago (June 2008)

Highlights:

Here’s the Best PART – Its GPS Signal Strength: The Mighty SiRF

The Pocket LOOX uses SiRF’s high performance SiRF Star III 20-channel indoor GPS receiver. This chipset is extremely sensitive and able to maintain solid signal reception even when driving in GPS-challenging situations, such as behind tall buildings, under bridges, through canyons, etc. In fact, during my testing, I was able to get a strong signal even indoors. The signal was so strong that I had to actually go into my basement and cover the top of the Maestro with tin foil before it lost GPS signal.

The integration of SiRF’s chipsets into the latest generation of in-car navigation systems has been a watershed event for GPS navigation. Prior to SiRF, line-of-sight to the sky was required to receive GPS signals, resulting in poor GPS performance (or no signal at all) in many cases. SiRF’s chipset has ushered in a new era of GPS performance, affording fast signal acquisition and precise positioning that is solidly maintained while driving. Make sure that any new GPS you buy includes SiRF’s chipset; I’m always amazed that people buy GPS devices that are old and outdated (and sometimes cost even more than the newer devices with SiRF — even from the same manufacturer).

Throughout my testing GPS reception was outstanding. The GPS quickly recognized my location, and reception was unflappable, even when driving in midtown Manhattan. I did lose reception when driving through tunnels, but the GPS quickly re-acquired within a few seconds once I emerged from the tunnel

Here are the PROS:

Good looking hardware

Small size ideally suited for travel and handheld use

Unique turn exclusion screen allows you to select multiple roads you want to avoid with ease

Lots of routing options (including fast car, slow car, pedestrian, & scenic route)

POI brand icons displays company logos on the map instead of generic POI category icons

Music player supports MP3, AAC, and WMA audio formats

Relatively long (5 hour) battery life

Includes swappable white and black faceplates

NAVTEQ mapping data (2006 maps)

SiRF’s high performance StarIII indoor GPS receiver

Light weight (3.9 oz)

Nicely designed map screen

The CONS:

Somewhat sluggish

When entering an address, pressing the “Back” icon takes you back to the main menu rather than the previous menu, and you have to start entering the address all over again (Same on every Navigon unit because I own the 2100 max and 7100)

Couldn’t find some addresses — quirky address entry system (but gets updated all the time)

Small screen size and small text combined with general slowness makes the Pocket LOOX N100 all but impossible to use while driving (should use any GPS while driving!!!)

No Text-to-Speech (GPS doesn’t announce actual street names but it does it tell you when to Turn, there are Voice Prompts)

Other Thoughts:

When using the MP3 player while navigating, audio prompts are announced over the music, making them difficult to hear. Some other GPS units pause the music for audio navigation prompts, and then resume music playback.

No Bluetooth(Who Cares most everyone has their own these days anyway and on the ones that do have Bluetooth, its a pain to connect the phone every time you get in the car.

Conclusion:

My RATING 9/10 for its overall features that match may other GPS units, Its best for those who would like a portable unit because if you obviously want a way bigger screen size this is not for you! It’s price cannot be beat, try finding another GPS at this Price point with all the features and accessories included and then tell me this one still isn’t better, I think you’ll have a very hard time!

Thanks for Looking at my Review~!

4 Stars GPS
It is a nice little GPS for the money. It is a bit too small but gives the best verbal directions of the three GPS’s I have, Cobra, Naveman and Garman.

1 Star discontinued and updates are not supported by Navigon
I loved this product until I went to update my maps and found there were none to update. I called Navigon. Fujitsu Siemens was the maker and they discontinued it. Navigon supports the warranty but told me they do not know if there will ever be any map updates available. It’s just a wait and see. I paid well over $300 at the time of purchase only about 9 months ago. I loved it for 9 months but it sorely needs updating and probably will never have any. So far, Navigon isn’t worried about the customers. Backing up a product is 50% of the ‘business to customer relations’. I would not purchase this until the map update issue is resolved. This product will become useless if it is not resolved. I’m out a lot of money, and I’m not impressed.

2 Stars Do NOT Buy – MAP UPDATES NO LONGER AVAIL
I bought two of these units a year and a half ago for $99 each.

They do work as advertised but the map data was out of date when they were new, and no map updates are available from Navigon.

Navigon is leaving the US market completely (as of a statement in May 09) so choose your GPS product supplier carefully!

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TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System Refurbished

October 11th, 2008 GPS Reviews No comments

TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System Refurbished




Tom Tom One 3rd Edition GPS (Refurbished) Enjoy safe, relaxed, and cost-effective driving thanks to the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition. And it works straight out of the box! The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition features a user-friendly 3.5-inch touchscreen, loud & clear spoken directions, and comes with the latest and most complete maps of US & Canada. You’ll get door-to-door accurate navigation anywhere across the continent. Because you can get new maps and free software upgrades through TomTom HOME, you’ll never be out of date. You can even add to, update, and personalize your maps instantly using TomTom Map Share technology. TomTom Map Share is a proprietary map improvement technology unique to TomTom, which enables you to respond in real time to changes in the road network and correct the maps on your TomTom device accordingly. Thanks to the smart user interface, it’s easy to make improvements, such as to mark blocked or unblocked streets, reverse one-way traffic or insert new street names, which will instantly take effect. Roads are continually changing. This feature gives you the option to capture these changes on your TomTom ONE in-between map releases, and keep your data current. These changes allow the community of TomTom Map Share users to always have the most up-to-date maps and inside local knowledge at their fingertips. The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition also features a sleek lightweight design that’s so compact you can easily carry it to and from your vehicle

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Battery life is less than spectacular
Product works as advertised however the battery only lasts for 2 hours so you’ll have to recharge the unit via the car charger for longer trips. I prefer the 2d map mode (top down) as I can see more of the surrounding area for navigation. First thing you do with this is plug it to the computer and download the TomTom updates.

5 Stars just what I needed
This is my first navigation system. I am very impressed! I used it on a trip recently and had no problems figuring out the data on the screen.

4 Stars Tom Tom One. Good for the price.
After some sub-human life form decided they would like to have my $400 Garmin GPS (along with my Passport 9500 Radar Detector) out of my car, I needed a quick replacement. What a difference a year makes. Just like everything digital the price went down while the features went up. The first thing I noticed out of the box was the Tom Tom Screen. It was very large. Turns out it is also bright and clear. Upon initialization I was greeted by a very lengthy tutorial. Because of my massive intellect and equally impressive experience, I of course chose to skip this part. I am now questioning my intellect. The Tom Tom is not nearly as “out of the box usable” as the Garmin. Most functions are accessible via two touch points at the bottom of the screen. Most of the menu items are fairly deep in the menu tree. I could have used a GPS to guide me through the Tom Tom One Menus. I finally got to the point where I could enter a destination using a tried and true method, I gave it to my wife to figure out. Once the destination was entered I was greeted with a very nice female voice. There are several voices to choose from. This one sounded like Susan McKinnley from my freshman year in college. I really liked her. One of the drawbacks of the Tom Tom One is that the street names are not spoken. You are simply told to turn left or right. This is not a major problem though because the display shows the names in real time. Living near the B.C. border we were able to navigate quite well through the Canadian streets while on a day trip to Vancouver. The database is very large and accurate providing many points of interest such as shopping, museums, restaurants and government buildings. All in all for just over a hundred bucks you can’t really beat this unit. Oh, when the tutorial option comes up, take it.

4 Stars Good value if you get it for $90 and if you just want a simple GPS
I have tried different GPS systems, namely TomTom, iGo, and Mio. My experience tells me that this TomTom is great for people who want something that is simple to use as a GPS, i.e. no fancy stuff, just give me the directions and go go go.

The one feature I really like (and I couldn’t find it in iGo nor Mio) is that TomTom can generate alternate routes – Just press the “Generate alternate routes (I forgot the exact phrase, something like that)” button repeatedly until you see one that you are comfortable with. This feature is especially useful when I go on local roads (cuz sometimes their first recommended route is just too complicated).

Also, when you are at the map, press the lower left hand blue box once, you can adjust the volume. No need to go to the main menu.

In addition, you can download many different languages for this unit.

Result: I gave my TomTom to my parents after they told me that they love the simplicity of it!

5 Stars Tom Tom Navigator
TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System (Refurbished)

Fabulous product. Simple to use, reliable operation. Great value!

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TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System Refurbished

September 8th, 2008 GPS Reviews No comments

TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System Refurbished




Tom Tom One 3rd Edition GPS (Refurbished) Enjoy safe, relaxed, and cost-effective driving thanks to the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition. And it works straight out of the box! The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition features a user-friendly 3.5-inch touchscreen, loud & clear spoken directions, and comes with the latest and most complete maps of US & Canada. You’ll get door-to-door accurate navigation anywhere across the continent. Because you can get new maps and free software upgrades through TomTom HOME, you’ll never be out of date. You can even add to, update, and personalize your maps instantly using TomTom Map Share technology. TomTom Map Share is a proprietary map improvement technology unique to TomTom, which enables you to respond in real time to changes in the road network and correct the maps on your TomTom device accordingly. Thanks to the smart user interface, it’s easy to make improvements, such as to mark blocked or unblocked streets, reverse one-way traffic or insert new street names, which will instantly take effect. Roads are continually changing. This feature gives you the option to capture these changes on your TomTom ONE in-between map releases, and keep your data current. These changes allow the community of TomTom Map Share users to always have the most up-to-date maps and inside local knowledge at their fingertips. The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition also features a sleek lightweight design that’s so compact you can easily carry it to and from your vehicle

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars good choice for the price
This GPS is definitely not the luxury unit which you can get for $500 or more. But if up to date maps and accurate routing is what you are looking for, this is the unit to buy. Okay, it does not switch to night mode when the sun set is there, the speaker does not sound as perfect as your radio, the graphics are kind of basic. In my opinion a well balanced offer for a GPS for the budget traveller.

4 Stars Very good navigation for the money
Overall quite satisfied with the product. The only drawback may be it has no memory card slot. Aquires position at start pretty fast. Rerouting is also done in a couple of seconds. It is very portable and easy to use either in the car or in your pocket on the street. But I guess the sensitivity of the antenna may not be so good, since it tends to loose signal if used in a downtown area with tall buildings around. Yet I like it a lot.

5 Stars Excellent product at a very reasonalble price
We do a lot of driving on family vacations and weekend trips in general. We purchased this to avoid some the hassles of getting lost in new areas. I’ve used it on one long distance and several short distance trips. It has been a great help. I certainly can get myself from one city to the next without a problem, but the Tom Tom system was a major help driving to various tourist attractions in a new city. The only problem I found so far, was on a trip to Chicago (which I know very well). It tried to direct us onto an expressway that runs through downtown when it was much less trouble and shorter distance to stay on the expressway that skirts the outside of the city. It does offer a couple different ways to plan routes so perhaps the route I drove was an option had I played with the Tom Tom more.

2 Stars Terrible Customer Service
Not another TomTom for me! I have owned a TomTom130 for 2 months. It fails to turn on, fails to find the satellite 25% of the time, and gives wrong directions often.

When I contacted the company, they told me “tough luck” on replacing this product or allowing me to pay the difference to upgrade to the 130s (the version that actually tells the street names rather than the number of yards to your destination.

They really couldn’t care less about earning your business.

4 Stars Really good value
I must confess, i did not shop around for a GPS on the internet extensively which i do when i buy any electronic item. Based on the price and a recomendation i brought this GPS.I must say i am impressed. The map is 99% accurate. No GPS can claim 100% accuracy. My requirment was simple take me from point A to point B in Fastest, shortest route. This does it nicely. The Point of intrest database (POI) is pretty good. This device has the text to speach ability. However does not read out street names. I think this not really required because even if you the names are read out, you will not be able to see the street names yourself. The only reason i gave this 4 star is , when i restart the GPS after a long time, he takes sometime to get the GPS signal. Once this is done it is pretty fast in figuring out the routes and recaluclating the routes in case you take a street which is not suggested by the GPS. The maps updates can be downloaded from tomtom website.

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