March 14, 2010

Modern Car GPS Units

The latest car GPS technology has created lots of changes in personal navigation, public transportation and vehicle tracking. Any functional car GPS receiver gives you access to the orbiting satellites providing information on destination, current location or the shortest route to take. In addition, latest car GPS units provide information on traffic conditions, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, gas stations and points-of-interest for the map on which you navigate. Reliable, discreet and convenient, the new car GPS units represent the beginning of another age in the field of communications and technological development. Depending on the manufacturer, the features incorporated in a car GPS unit can differ a lot.

A clear example of how progress works is the opportunity to buy new car GPS units that have the maps for a certain geographical area already installed. For versions that do not have this availability, or in case you need a more particular type of application, a special software is used to download the maps. Processor speed, unit memory and touch screens are other improvements well worth mentioning. When the car GPS is able to work within more advanced parameters then the updates of position and information become virtually instantaneous.

Bare minimum mounting and wiring: these are two other great features of a new car GPS unit. These devices are also suitable for hikers, joggers or any other categories of sports activities. The speed of reaction in a car GPS receiver is below twenty seconds which means a high level of convenience and comfort for the user. In addition, the compatibility between cell phones and new car GPS devices has improved considerably, not to mention that smartphones provide both communication and navigation advantages in one. The cell phone carries all the new GPS features, which makes access, connection and orientation a lot easier. Therefore, the advances of modern technology for car GPS design are numerous and far reaching.

Very large databases, 3-D moving maps, turn-by-turn directions are features that only complete an already evolved device. Did you know that a new car GPS units can provide not only information on gas stations but also gas price details and venue ratings for restaurants in one location or another? The better the new car GPS design, the shorter the time before it can access the satellites and calculate your position. Remember that you can set the distance alert if you need it and should it be the case, try the capacity of your new car GPS units for geo-catching. You should thus be able to create individual maps to correspond to one personal purpose or another.

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March 13, 2010

The Garmin Nuvi 780 Car GPS Device

The Garmin Nuvi 780 Car GPS is among the high range GPS merchandise supplied by Garmin. If the high end features supplied by the device are found useful, it can show to be a reliable product identical to any other Nuvi. Although it has its very own share of downsides, the model title and the service are of appreciable significance. It's a well-known fact that after the extra features increase on any system, the fundamental use of it takes a second place and this system is no exception.

The very first thing the driver notices about this Garmin Nuvi 780 is that the touch screen is way quicker. The interface is also highly user friendly and appeals to people of all age groups. The Garmin Nuvi 780 Web Updater software is rather like the system, straightforward to use and thus makes updating the firmware an easy job. The updates can also be used to increase the variety of voice options and languages in the system by simply downloading them to it. The image view is better in the display and the varied options present are a lot better than those of the earlier models. The pronunciations are highly accurate and because of this, do not confuse the driver. The menu format is also very simple when compared to its alternatives and it's attainable to go to any screen from the current screen, which is very handy instead of having all of the menu options in layers. Additionally, different points may be added to a particular route like meals, fuel station and many others with very fast searches.

The onscreen speed limit displayed by the system is highly accurate and does not mislead the driver. At the same time as buying the Garmin Nuvi 780, the MSN direct cable might be purchased at an additional 20 bucks as an alternative of shopping for it separately for a hundred. There's a trial service available for MSN direct which could be used to the utmost and determining whether or not to commit. It can be used to get live traffic and weather conditions up to date when traveling. The MSN is all the time ahead of the radio in giving traffic updates. Stock prices and movie times can also be checked by way of MSN direct and be of a fantastic service to the consumer. Gasoline price updates are additionally given to help the driver. The system will go for a recalculation of the route routinely after realizing that the traffic is excessive or the street is blocked. Additionally, Points of Interest may be added to the GPS using Google maps and Mapquest.

The time taken by the device to sync to satellites to begin with might be quite protracted and worrying. The voice prompt can also be delayed sometimes which can increase the uneasiness. The Bluetooth capability of the system is not on top of things because it does not sync with all kinds of cellular phones. The volume can also be lacking and so is the FM transmitter because it showed plenty of background noise. The program of shorter route does not work accurately and the position refresh rate isn't particularly fast. The MSN direct is only accessible in the large cities at present. So it does not make sense laying out the extra money on it where it does not work.

If the extra features of the GPS are positively needed, the Garmin Nuvi 780 is a wonderful device and gives all the benefits of proudly owning a Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS unit.

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March 12, 2010

Which Is The Best Car GPS Unit?

A large number of Internet sites provide information on the best car GPS options available. Manufacturers like Magellan, Mio, TomTom and Garmin compete for the first position in top. As it happens in the entire field of electronics, every new product is expected to be better than older models. Innovation is what keeps the market going, and the best car GPS corresponds to the consumer's demands first and foremost. Product reviews can give one a clue about which items are more interesting than others, but there will always be some relative perception involved.

The best car GPS unit will always be packed with features such as Bluetooth incorporated in the design, text-to-speech functionality, MSN direct services and even accurate speech recognition applications. Another important aspect is the speed of route calculation, and why not price? It is only normal to expect incredible performance from a Garmin GPS device. You can also shop for advanced lane assistance and the possibility to enter addresses via voice. The best car GPS units available will have 3D renderings although this function is not available with all designs. You can count two or three features plus or minus as the main differences between competitors.

Another element that ought to describe the best car GPS unit is the user interface. Those items that have a high user friendliness rate represent ideal choices for all categories of users. Other than this characteristics of new car GPS models, the pricing scheme is important to stress out too. It goes without saying that anyone eager to buy the best GPS unit, should be prepared to pay a small fortune for it. In fact, the downside of lots of car GPS receivers is their too high price, as you'll find mentioned in many product reviews.

There are sales where you can buy the best car GPS for your pocket. Discounts are often available for last year models for instance, and lower prices make a form of marketing strategy for attracting customers. To conclude, we could say that the very notion of 'best' is relative when it comes to the purchase of any item. The general lines of defining the best car GPS unit will nevertheless include a high number of features, the latest incorporated technologies and a high price.

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March 11, 2010

GARMIN NUVI 855 Another Useful Improvement

For customers who've beforehand used GPS units and wish an upgrade to a high end device that has unique features, the Garmin Nuvi 855 is a good option. The device is user friendly like any other GPS from Garmin and does embody engaging features and the choice of whether or to not make the most of a few choices is left to the person himself. This makes it a customizable device concerning both, price and features.

The most engaging function integrated in this version when compared to its predecessors is the speech recognition feature or the voice command feature. It permits the person to speak to the GPS unit to present directions concerning the destination address and the route. There's an extra gadget that comes with the unit for this function to obtain the speech signals and could be mounted to the steering wheel with ease. The power of being able to tell the gadget the place the driver is intending to go as an alternative of inputting the information manually is certainly a luxury and also a security function that comes useful while driving. The alternative touch display screen is at all times there like before and its width is as engaging as always. The detailing existing on the display screen is also very impressive and the unit can be used straight out of the box without any hassle. The handbook is nominal though, because it has all the amazing features as its earlier models along with the extra ones.

The directions and turns can be seen upfront so that the driver can be prepared when the time comes. It works with amazing precision and also permits the person to observe the encircling landscape using the bird's eye option. It is also a lot slimmer and lighter than the previous versions and it is simple to put in the data and locate it later on. The detailing on the map is also higher than the 755/765 and it is simple to scroll over the map using a finger. The names of adjoining locations also show on the display screen as the vehicle is moving, which can be of assistance to the driver. The Points of Interest may also be chosen to show on the route, so that decisions about halts can be made on the fly. The gadget accepts SD cards with music and movie that can be used by means of the GPS system. It also has the lane assist option which could be very much useful on busy interstates. The junction view is also there to help the driver.

Similar to various other Garmin products the volume of the gadget is at a low level and interference is a problem in large metropolitan areas when using the FM transmitter. The other drawback is that it isn't built with Bluetooth. The units display screen only exhibits the present velocity of the vehicle continually as a default, which isn't very useful as an alternative of showing the amount of distance to the destination. It doesn't include the MSN direct receiver to begin with, but it may be obtained at an additional price of round $80 with a year's service. The device also doesn't have a power off key. All it has is a slide button to turn it to the standby mode. The battery is used in this mode too, so it has to be physically detached from the gadget to prevent your GARMIN NUVI 855 from becoming dead.

Generally, a really useful upgrade for those who have seen all of it with the earlier models, though with a small number of drawbacks to be aware of with the GARMIN NUVI 855.

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March 10, 2010

Track Your Location with a Handheld GPS Unit

Global positioning devices are currently appreciated by drivers who would like to move safely through unfamiliar or busy cities. However, if you trace the original purpose of global positioning devices, you soon discover that GPS devices were initially used by hikers and other people wandering the open countryside who prefer to avoid getting lost. As R&D teams went about improving the technology of the newest GPS devices for road warriors, the new technologies were incorporated into the handheld GPS models as well. These state of the art handheld GPS devices appear to be very much like mobile phones thanks to their shape and LCD screen. Another great model to consider is TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Many of the GPS devices that mount on cars can actually be useful for outdoorsmen as long as they are at ease with the interface. Many of the products manufactured by TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan are diminutive enough to carry around in your hand or keep inside your pocket. Although if you plan on employing the GPS unit while hiking or using just one hand, helper or two may be useful. What follows is a list of a few products to look for.

Magellan Triton Series

The Magellan Triton series is an instructive example to think about because every one of the models from the Sunday driver to the arctic explorer package all appear identical. The budget models come with a very suitable 2.2” QVGA color screen while several of the more advanced models provide a slightly bigger screen of 2.7”. Every one of the Magellan units sport a rugged construction which is waterproof, therefore you can confidently carry them along while crossing rivers or during rainy seasons.

Several of the Magellan models have the AdventurePack label affixed to them which indicates that the devices include some specific software called the TOPO! Explorer. Extreme explorers need to definitely take a closer look at these packages. The benefit of Magellan’s array of products is that you can find a Triton product that won’t blow your budget with over 5 models to choose from. Another nice option to consider is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Garmin Series

Garmin has quite a few handheld products and each individual series handles certain types of navigation. Considering one case in point, the GPSMAP 7X series models are all saltwater-friendly and intended for crossing the open ocean, and the GPSMAP 6X series models have a more durable design for heavy duty usage, even though they are still relatively inexpensive and contain a comprehensive set of applications including microSD support and competent navigation.

The eTrex series are handheld GPS devices consumers want to check out when budget is a serious concern. They are also lightweight with quite a few of them offering a screen big enough to refer to with ease.

In case you consider yourself a professional traveler looking for a device made to be especially tough and stuffed with powerful applications, the Colorado or Oregon series may meet your needs. Both series provide a comprehensive touch-screen display, a feature not provided in other Garmin series, and they additionally come with different maps particular for the exact model you get.

Be aware that the aforementioned handheld GPS devices shouldn’t be used for driving unless a non-driving navigator is using it. If you won’t require most of the specialized applications and could use one device that is able to work on the city street as well as the trail, it might be more sensible to purchase a multipurpose unit that you can carry in a car or in a backpack. Another good item to consider is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

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March 9, 2010

Choose the Right Accessories for Your GPS Unit

The current generation of GPS devices available in stores usually contain enough features to cater to the majority of motorists who prefer their road trips to be effortless and safe. Yet there may be times in which you arrive at the limits of your GPS device but still would prefer that your GPS device had more functions or more resilient design for rough situations.

Don’t dump your GPS device and upgrade to a new GPS device to meet your evolving requirements just yet. You can find GPS accessories which could attach to your model and might offer some extra capabilities which would meet your requirements. The prices you’ll pay for any of these GPS accessories are predicably far less than the price of a standard GPS device. Below are a few of the standard GPS accessories that are marketed by all of the major brands. Garmin Nuvi 770 Portable GPS Navigator

Chargers

Many of the less expensive models do not work for too long with some of them posessing a battery life of a mere 2-3 hours. As a result you need to charge your GPS devices routinely during long travel periods. Although nearly all of the devices usually are packaged with a GPS charger, there could be days when the charger doesn’t work or might be misplaced. Never settle for those one-size-fits-all chargers because they will likely mess up the battery. Always get chargers made by the company that made your GPS device. These chargers will fully charge your device quickly, so you can rely on it for long road trips.

Carrying Cases

These GPS accessories can be very affordable and helpful accessories that are designed to defend your GPS device from damage from various elements. Although many GPS devices are sturdy enough to endure these elements because of their own casings, a carrying case gives them one more layer of protection, and the cases with straps are going to be less complicated to hold on to. Travel cases are upgraded kinds of carrying cases which are just as compact, yet engineered for carrying additional GPS accessories like chargers.

Adhesive Discs

Some types of GPS devices might be quite a pain to affix to certain types of car windshields. Before the frustration becomes intolerable, try spending a few bucks on a few adhesive disks. Attaching your GPS device needs to be as simple as sticking a disc to the windshield or a similar level surface and then fastening your GPS unit onto the disc. Garmin Nuvi 770 Portable GPS Navigator

Car Kits

The type and amount of items provided as part of each car kit may vary depending on the maker, but normally, car kits are the best GPS accessories to get if you can’t decide on the accessories you truly ought to get or if you just prefer to be ready for any inevitable situations. Most of the car kits contain mounting kits, adhesive disks, data cables, and power adapters. If you have lost one or two accessories, a car kit may conveniently replenish your supply or add more for backup purposes.

A few models might have more accessories than others; so the most sensible way to find accessories for a certain GPS device is to look at the product page of your device and find the accessories compatible with your model to avoid paying for any redundant purchases. Garmin Nuvi 770 Portable GPS Navigator

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March 8, 2010

Deck Your Car Out with a Magellan GPS System

Most of the top GPS device marketers are continually working to advance their global positioning products. These companies are offering more advanced options to make navigation easier for travelers who use engines, skis, or any other form of transportation in between. Although these makers are honestly intending to keep these GPS devices accessible for the average consumer, the summation of all the technology offered in the unit will understandably be rising costs. The best that those designers can do for the consumers who are unable to finance the latest gadgets is to make stripped down editions of the GPS devices which can be affordable for Joe 6-cylinder. Another great model to consider is Magellan Roadmate 1470 Portable GPS Navigator.

Magellan GPS devices are rather singular because Magellan has always designed their top-performing models to be affordable and convenient. The downside of affordability, logically, is that cutting edge technology is almost never to be had at reasonable prices. As a result, the quality of Magellan’s products has been given mixed reviews. Magellan addressed this problem by producing several state-of-the-art products for the most demanding GPS users.

Magellan Maestro

When you are looking for a reasonably priced tour guide for your dashboard, the Magellan Maestro line-up gives you quite a few devices made just for car navigation. Magellan Maestro models lie in the 3000, 4000, and 5000 range. All of the 3000 models are particularly reasonably priced with one or two including the Maestro 3100 costing less than $200 which is outrageously cheap for a GPS model with 2-D and 3-D views. Probably their most appreciated feature is the QuickSpell feature, which allows easy input for destination names.

Every other remaining feature, as well as the performance is under par and hanging is very regular. With the exception of some of the 4000 and 5000 models, the Magellan Maestro is really not consistent, but the price remains reasonable.

Magellan Roadmate

As explained by it’s name, this group of Magellan GPS devices have been intended for cars as well. Yet they are different from their Maestro relatives in terms of appearance. Roadmates are intended to be easier to carry, having a sleeker shape and having the same interface. As a result the Roadmates are similarly easy to use and a bit easier to pack than the Maestros. A nice option is the Magellan Roadmate 1470 Portable GPS Navigator.

Regarding its performance, the Roadmate is slightly improved with some of them including the Roadmate 1212 using the Centrality Atlas III Processor. If you enjoy exploring the menus, you may observe a slightly frustrating interval after pressing the buttons. The battery capacity isn’t very impressive either; it’s capable of running for about 3 hours before a recharge is required.

On the upside, the Roadmate is thought to be better than several of the Maestro budget models, offering quite a few more POI’s as compared to the Maestro 3100 which has a inadequate 750,000 points of interest. The Roadmate catches up with the competition by offering more than 6 million points of interest. Text-to-speech, which is generally a handy feature, is also offered by some of the mid-range models. The price isn’t prohibitive either, which is remarkable for a slim device. Another good item to look into is the Magellan Roadmate 1470 Portable GPS Navigator.

Even though this company offers only two line-ups to select from, those sets offer at least 10 models within each set with many different price tags and features. The least expensive models aren’t very useful for frequent users owing to the regular crashes, but more expensive models are quite satisfactory and ought to be enough for commuters to be pleased with.

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March 7, 2010

GPS Units For Cars

How to get to a destination by car? The initial purpose of satellite-assisted navigation was to support complex transportation and military operations, but its usage has become a lot more extended over the years. GPS for cars are products that receive and decode signals from a complex network of satellites that enable you to determine the current car location and help you set the route for a destination. There is a great diversity in terms of GPS design, features and formats, so that you may be as keen on details as you like. You save money with some cheap GPS units, they are easy to plug in and store, but the operation may be faulty or inconsistent. More money means more quality.

Car design is very important when shopping for a personal navigation system. Some models of GPS for cars include monitors for map display, but the presence of the monitor on the dashboard could be uncomfortable with some car designs. You have to make sure that the device does not block the air vents and that it does not ruin the view from the passenger's seat. For maximum of convenience and efficiency, the GPS for cars have to be selected as a good dashboard match.

Multi-functionality! This is one other important criterion of choosing GPS for cars. Navigation info can be provided in multiple ways, therefore it is very convenient for the user to select a variant that suits his/her needs. You can navigate with some GPS receivers by selecting the data from a personal address book, others select the map location from the start, while others can operate directly by address or by intersection. Moreover, following the same line of thought, you should buy a GPS for cars that can give both graphical and vocal directions. Besides the vocal messages, the GPS monitor can indicate the direction by arrows either in relation to the name of the street or with the car position matching the destination.

There are GPS for cars that provide information on points of interest, airports, ATMs, hotels, restaurants and many other sites. Normally, such a device is a bit more expensive, but when you travel a lot and need to go from place to place, information is crucial. Moreover, very advanced GPS systems can make updates about the points-of-interest from a certain region. You may be at a loss about what GPS for cars to buy when there are so many models to choose from. The best way to sort things out is by going to a retailer that has demo units in-store so that you can check how the system works for yourself. Then, you'll know what to shop for!

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March 6, 2010

A Better Marine Experience with Accurate GPS

Many of the GPS devices available for sale currently are for cars for the reason that the majority of consumers use at least one vehicle which is usually their main method of getting to and from work or errands. The latest GPS devices have all the programs which empower drivers to find the location of their choice faster and easier. A nice option is Garmin Nuvi 1250 Portable GPS Navigator.

Not so long ago, GPS devices were used only by extreme travelers who went long distances either on land or by boat. Marine GPS technology has been developed to provide help to seamen and make the convenience possible for them. GPS is especially effective in leading sailors through open oceans and might be a saving grace during a storm or simply during a time when you become lost in the middle of the ocean. The same designers which have engineered dependable devices for the road also offer a line-up of marine GPS products.

Garmin Marine GPS Devices

Garmin Nuvi devices have proven to be superior with regard to accuracy and navigational features. This company’s marine devices such as the GPSMAP 5015 and GPSMAP 5215 also offer sturdy construction and consistent performance. Both of those qualities are vitally significant when a ship is 50 miles out to sea and the crew has no place to stop and buy a map. Some of the notable applications include enhanced sensors, chartplotters for easier planning on the water, and a marine autopilot system for uncomplicated navigation.

Garmin marine products are available in both handheld and larger versions with bigger monitors that come with more detailed maps which include backgrounds, lighthouse locations, obstructions, buoys, and more. Several versions enable the user to transfer routes on portable storage devices for safe keeping or for upgrading on a personal computer. All of the best products in this collection are waterproof, and their housings are specifically constructed so that the device comes to the surface if accidentally dropped in the water. A better alternative is Garmin Nuvi 1250 Portable GPS Navigator.

Magellan Maestro Devices

The advantage of a few of the more advanced models of the Magellan Maestro is that the same model could be employed both on the road and out on the open sea. Ship’s Captains are able to simply fasten these Maestros to their boats or simply carry it around as you would a regular handheld device. Their precision in open waters is exceptional and the technology employed towards the navigation is fairly high-grade since it can triangulate signals from as many as 12 different satellites to compute the accurate coordinates.

If you are familiar with the Maestro, you should have no issues in working with the user interface at sea. While looking for one which will be engineered for saltwater duty, see if the model has a waterproof rubber coating.

TomTom GPS Devices

TomTom GPS devices in general are more focused on vehicle navigation, although they might be actually used as marine GPS devices, also. A few versions like the TomTom 720 GPS are able to load marine charts and may additionally be used to make routes. Locations on the ocean won‘t be mapped as they would be on land, but at least TomTom owners can still find their coordinates and do not have to buy a separate marine GPS device.

The GPS device that you are using currently could probably be relied on as a marine GPS. You might need to get a dedicated marine GPS device only if you routinely sail through the open ocean because they can provide better and more accurate charts. You might want to look into Garmin Nuvi 1250 Portable GPS Navigator.

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March 5, 2010

A Review of Popular Car GPS Systems

Motor Vehicles have remained a reliable method of transportation for years, even though there are still instances when time and gas are frittered away or intended stops are skipped completely because of obsolete maps or poor directions. To eliminate these issues and enable you to benefit from a rewarding driving experience, automotive GPS devices are now available to aid us and are especially affordable for most car owners. It is highly recommended to use a GPS device on extended drives to be certain that the mose efficient way is available. The effectiveness of specific GPS devices varies by different companies. To attract customers and attention, optional programs are offered with a few models to add value and raise the gee-whiz factor. Below are several of the more practical products that deserve a closer look. A nice option is the Garmin Nuvi 1350 Portable GPS Navigator.

Garmin Nuvi 265W

The drawback to quite a few of the more affordable Car GPS systems is that their feature list is so limited that you wonder if the product is even completed. The Garmin Nuvi is a very basic piece of equipment, yet it still provides all the essentials and level of performance a person would experience with its better developed cousins – the 705 and 805 series. Text-to-speech is incorporated so you shouldn’t have to read the street names as you drive and it is quite easy to set up once you bring it home. The cost may not fit everyone’s financial situation, but because of its powerful applications and minimal drawbacks, this Garmin Nuvi is a great value at any price.

TomTom ONE Classic and Routes edition

TomTom ONE products look to have price tags that are well below their worth, but the Tom Tom’s capabilities and applications show you exactly why these Car GPS devices are dirt cheap. The Tom Tom’s user friendliness is abysmal and several of the popular features such as Bluetooth and text-to-speech are not offered by nearly any of the models. Although earlier models weren’t very well-received by value seeking consumers, new ONE products were offered, including a couple with widescreens and a few more with advanced programming like advanced lane guidance, which is only found in the Routes edition. Tom Tom’s classic edition lacks this feature, but the price might be friendly enough to help you get over that. A good item to consider is Garmin Nuvi 1350 Portable GPS Navigator.

Magellan Roadmate 1212

The Magellan Maestro products continue to be the most popular Magellan products thanks to the fact that they were introduced first, but the Roadmate 1212 is going to easily take center stage on account of its slender profile combined with its tiny price tag. The decent performance combined with the simple user interface obviously makes this a pretty good investment so long as you can work around the slow menu button response. The text-to-speech capability is also included, even though employing it too long will quickly drain the battery with the result that you could spend your time charging the battery within 3 hours.

Bottom Line

When it comes to reasonably priced Car GPS products, you may understandably be deciding between cost and performance. Garmin Nuvi easily moves to the top with its few quirks, but the Magellan and the Tom Tom are far more affordable. The most practical choice to make is to save up for a Garmin Nuvi unless you won’t mind having the GPS device continually distract your from your driving. You might also want to look at the Garmin Nuvi 1350 Portable GPS Navigator.

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