Now that the snow has hit it's time to get up the mountain.
I'm thinking about getting the Otterbox DEFENDER series just for these kinds of trips. I'm wondering if that case works ok if I already have a thin screen-protector on the phone.
I know that it's a full phone/screen cover and I'm not planning on using it all the time, but I don't want to have to remove my existing screen protector when I put it in the otterbox.
Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks!
no, its not neccessary to remove old screen protector, i had one on mine, removed it after a few days, it made no difference in touch response...
but, i think the "thickness" of the otterbox film, and the fact that its not "adhered" (it has an air gap) makes the touch feel off, but it works fine with or without an extra screen protector
its a monster case though, lol, i like it, but it is big
You might look at the otterbox commuter? It is smaller than the defender and doesn't have an attached screen protecter. Although there is a static screen protector included.
I'm definitely planning on getting a defender for all around protection.
-Sent from my Droid 2-
Defender is the way to go but if you drop it in the snow or get snow on it take it off and dry it out when you can, it isn't waterproof and sooner or later the snow will melt and find a way in. The case is awesome and I use mine with a screen protector as well, like Moto said it does seem to take away slightly from the touch screen responsiveness, YMMV. For what its worth mine has survived getting attacked by my 16 month old son including being bounced on the tile floor, lol.
I would personally recommend always using a stick on screen protector. Dust can get inside the defender case and under the built in screen protector, this will prob scratch the screen after a while if no stick on is being used.
Related
I personally love the feel of my vibrant without the silicon casing on but unfortunately, I have to go with it whenever I leave the house to protect it from knicks and knacks (plus I always seem to drop my phone...)
I have a screen protector (REALOOK) and a TPU case. I too like the way the phone feels and looks without a case but yea, it needs to be protected. My old G1 got bang up pretty bad by not using protection... LOL...
I've had my vibrant in a case since day one but still have scratches all over the body. I think the shiny plastic material is just scratch prone. If I had to do over I would have tried some of the clear body armor type product. Definitely love the bare feel, may just go without a case and hope replacement parts become available.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I have the stealthguards screen protector and battery cover protector. Both are mainly on there just for weight and grip and the front is also on to make my vibrant have a flush front.
Silicone = ****
polyurethane Is The Way To Go, Alot More Protective And A Better Fit For Your Phone
I rock mine naked. I had a hard clear case for my G1, but it really didn't do a whole lot of good and my screen didn't get scratched at all. The Vibrant has gorilla glass and you get a 2nd back cover out of the box so I decided to go without.
I've got a realook screen protector and the tmobile gel case.
My battery cover AND the faux metal bezel are pretty scratched up. Been in the case since day one, so I suspect the gel case scratches it. Go figure.
I honestly didn't like the bare feel. Too slippery and small, so now I have a rubber case in it. Fits like a glove and grips better while still sliding out of the pocket without sticking. And of course a screen protector. I kept one on my g1 since day one. Its beaten to hell, the lip part is cracked and the sdcard unmounts if you apply pressure but the screen is flawless lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I use a Casemate Tough Case and have been using this style of case on all my phones for years. Usually Otterbox, but they took too long this time around so I gave the Casemate a try. I never drop my phone, but I have two kids under 5, so the cases are definitely tested from time to time. There are no better cases if you want real protection, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I've got the hard Body Glove case with the black rubberized back. I haven't tried any other cases because I really like this one. The phone just felt too fragile to me without a case, this gives it a little bulk and makes it feel a little more substantial.
No screen protector. I haven't seen the need for one. I'm not super careful with it either and will carry it in a pocket with keys and loose change pretty often. Been doing this for 2 months and no scratches on my screen. The screen is definitely pretty tough.
this is a $500 phone, and it's slippery. I drop **** all the time so i got the silicon case. it looks lumpy, but it's worth it.
mmas0n said:
I use a Casemate Tough Case and have been using this style of case on all my phones for years. Usually Otterbox, but they took too long this time around so I gave the Casemate a try. I never drop my phone, but I have two kids under 5, so the cases are definitely tested from time to time. There are no better cases if you want real protection, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same case and 3 kids under 5. Its the best option for me and feels really solid while holding.
I have hybrid TPU case, and so do allot of others here
...id vote but not listed in poll...hint hint
smutek said:
I've got the hard Body Glove case with the black rubberized back. I haven't tried any other cases because I really like this one. The phone just felt too fragile to me without a case, this gives it a little bulk and makes it feel a little more substantial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't have said it better. I use the BG case, and love it -- the look, the kickstand, the added bulk. (The "naked" (ugh) phone is too thin to hold comfortably on a call; and others have said, it's slippery as hell.
I utilized the stealthguard front and back. So its practically naked.. but not naked
me like sexi like bikini oki
hottie girls
I'm amazed by the durability of the screen. I don't make it a habit of putting it in my pocket with anything inside, but when I have and cringed as I pulled it out expecting scratches, to my surprise no scratches.
As a rule, the harder the cover material, the more the shock will be transferred directly to the phone. The same for the sticker types which are more for protection against scratches.
I ended up buying a cover from tmo because the phone felt a little slippery by itself. Its made of silicone and think enough to absord some of the impact if it is dropped and us les likely to slip out of your hand.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I bought the tmo black silicone case. I really like it because it adds grip and gives the phone a more solid, quality feel. One thing I've noticed is if you take the back cover plate off too much...it gets loose and creaky. They really should have gone with the slide lock type.
Sent from: my Vibrant juiced with Eugene's 2.2 Froyo JPM
Case-Mate Tough Case.. no screen protector here
I use a RealLook screen protector and one of these clear, hard cases:
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=217139826
Super inexpensive (bought 2, 1 extra to have on-hand)! Been using clear hard cases like these since my MyTouch3G and I've dropped it (the MT3G) several times onto concrete without a single scratch or damage to the phone. The case took the brunt of the impact. Put a very small crack in it, but nothing else. Ended up replacing it anyway, but that was enough to make me buy them for the Vibrant now. I just don't get that sense of protection from a semi-thin silicone sleeve. Sort of like gluing a bunch of balloons to the exterior of your car and thinking it's going to protect you in a head-on collision. Just not buying it...
I've owned the Defender for about 12 days now and the screen protector just plain sucks. My screen was awesome to look at, and now it's looking like my iPhone 3G's screen with the protector on it, PLUS there's all this dust and crap stuck in it from the unsealed holes at the earpiece top and the microphone at the bottom.
Has anyone cut the stupid thing off? I'm about to do it, or just ditch this whole case.
I think that it's a great case and have had no problems with mine . I bought it to protect my phone and that's what it has done so far . :laugh:
My husband's I phone has the defender case and yes the plastic screen protector sucks. It scratches easily and looks foggy. But it protects the screen so I wouldn't remove it. Or get a different case and buy the Steinheil screen protector, looks like you don't even have a screen protector on it. I use the Ultra crystal and it's beautiful! They are about 13 dollars on ebay.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda app-developers app
I agree the screen protector for the defender case does suck . I to had the same issue , I was always getting dust and what not under the unsealed screen protector . I didnt cut mine out though , I just disassembled the case and pushed the protector out . IMPORTANT ! : remove all the glue residue left on the case after removing the factory screen protector . Then I installed the screen protectors offered by Verizon on the phone then reassembled the case . The case does not interfer with the screen protector (ie : peeling it up or causing bubbles to form) there is enough clearence between the phone and the case . In the end you can use whatever screen protector you want , i just used verizon since it was close quick and easy . Overall the screen looks way better with out the factory screen protector of the case . SIDENOTE: I got the ultra clear screen protectors from Verizon NOT the antiglare . The antiglare properties of the factory installed protector is what distorts the screen image .
Great info, dude! I love the defender, but the screen film just started driving me nuts.
Lots of people have been doing this to a variety of defenders. If if works for you then go for it. Honestly in my opinion although the screen protector sucks, it is an important part of that case and keeping the phone protected.
I have both the commuter and defender now. Have to say I honestly prefer the defender series. For anyone interested it rang up at radio shack for $15 which is cheaper than amazon.
Dust under Otterbox screen protector scratching phones display glass
My first post. Please bear with me.
Hey everyone. I noticed on this thread and many others that people recommend Otterbox defenders to anyone who works in a high dust environment. But as i have read in many places ( and this is the only thing stopping me from buying an Otterbox defender for my s3 ) is people who say dust gets under the screen protector as i assume it would through the holes over the front facing camera and proximity sensor, and then scratches the screen..
quick googled sources for reference about the scratches:
i cant post links yet but here is what they say:
08/07/2012, 13:51
"The built in screen protectors on the Otterbox Defender scratches and pits your screen if you get dust in your case. EVERYONE I know that has a Defender case has had this happen."
– Steven
i reckon this is where i'll find people with the most Otterbox experience. Any suggestions?
wouldn't a water/dustproof case like the upcoming Lifeproof for s3 or the Seidio Obex be a better bet for high dust environments?
I really am sorry for the long post.
Will they replace a phone?
My case broke in less than two weeks. Used the online page and sent a photo of the broken phone and the receipt. called after thirty days and they wanted my name spelled out on a paper next to the phone. checked back later and that wasn't good enough either. Sent a photo of the product ID and after two weeks ......they sent me the wrong case. At work I sat on my phone and busted the glass and am wondering if they will replace the phone and the case since I bought the case to protect the phone and haven't been able to use it for that because it was broken.
I love Otterbox but I hate the fact that dust and dirt gets trapped in between the case and glass. I have an Otterbox Defender for my Black Berry I use for work. The phone was brand new when it was put in the case. Now after 2 years in the case, this is what the screen looks like. Other than the screen being all pitted and scratched, its been a great case. Hell, I've even run over the phone with a 9000lb forklift and nothing happened.
I also have the same case for my S3 and I'm tired of taking the phone out once every few days to clean the screen. I think I'm going to get one of those full body Zagg protectors and take out the plastic screen of the defender. Thanks for the idea!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
I have owned trident cases until I got my moto x pure unfortunately they have the worst case selection for that phone and the otter box covers something that is kind of a feature of the motos and so I avoided the 1 quality case that probably exists for that phone. Anyway with my new LG v20 I went with otter box. And yes indeed the built in screen protector sucks hair dust you name it it seems to gravitate to the cutout for the front camera and sensors.
So I am going to do what I did with my note 3 trident case I gently pushed the screen protector until it freed itself from the case then I cleaned my note 3 and applied a glass screen protector and reassembled the case after taking a fine nail file and removing the locating nubs for the old protector and cleaned the adhesive off the case. A .3mm glass was within tolerance of the cases fit and overall was a great improvement I had also used a saggy wet apply vynal that worked good too. In both cases the protectors lasted longer than normal and any defects like balling or peeling never occured. In fact I would have never moved to glass if I had not caused a wrinkle in the zag with the stylus...
Hi everyone,
I've spent hours browsing different cases, finding both raves and pitfalls of each. I was thinking a protector over my screen would be prudent, but have heard that it can lead to diminished display quality and sensitivity issues.
I was using a full cover sleeve on Ebay, which in hindsight probably lead me to dropping my phone - but it was cheap and protected both sides. I want something that's very durable as when I work sometimes big things hit into my pockets.
The price seems like too much but so far the Otterbox Defender seems like the best bet. With my screen being cracked (still functional) will I run into issues with a hard screen protector? Here's a picture of the damage: postimage [DOT]org/image/bu0b0rsyz/
I really did do a lot of research, so sorry if you find this post redundant, but I was having information overload. And honestly, some reviews seemed like marketing =\.
Many Thanks!
Tesla90k said:
Hi everyone,
I've spent hours browsing different cases, finding both raves and pitfalls of each. I was thinking a protector over my screen would be prudent, but have heard that it can lead to diminished display quality and sensitivity issues.
I was using a full cover sleeve on Ebay, which in hindsight probably lead me to dropping my phone - but it was cheap and protected both sides. I want something that's very durable as when I work sometimes big things hit into my pockets.
The price seems like too much but so far the Otterbox Defender seems like the best bet. With my screen being cracked (still functional) will I run into issues with a hard screen protector? Here's a picture of the damage: postimage [DOT]org/image/bu0b0rsyz/
I really did do a lot of research, so sorry if you find this post redundant, but I was having information overload. And honestly, some reviews seemed like marketing =\.
Many Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the Otterbox Defender from day one and can't tell whether the touch screen has diminish sensitivity with or without the case. Both ways seems to work just fine. I've dropped my phone several times and it keeps ticking while it took the likin'
I got my Defender a few days ago, awesome as a case. If anything I think there's better sensitivity because the screen has some give now - almost like a button but..... the display is not only murky but colors such as white appear to have a rainbow array like colors textured throughout. =\
I got the Otterbox Defender and I too noticed the "rainbow" effect. How did I fix it? I took the built in screen protector off. Simple as that. It now doesn't have a screen protector, but if its not in the holster its in my hand so I don't see scratches getting to it anyways honestly.
Bout to upgrade to an extended battery though, so case options are extremely limited now...hmmm...
AndroidVageta said:
I got the Otterbox Defender and I too noticed the "rainbow" effect. How did I fix it? I took the built in screen protector off. Simple as that. It now doesn't have a screen protector, but if its not in the holster its in my hand so I don't see scratches getting to it anyways honestly.
Bout to upgrade to an extended battery though, so case options are extremely limited now...hmmm...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you, I was using the Otterbox Defender for I717, I put on a matte screen protector from nakedcell on eBay and it worked. I ditched the Otterbox and bought a Mugen 5400 battery, the only case I have seen and bought is the one made for the International version by hyperion or something like that I removed the lump from the power button. It fits but not very well. According to phone info from app market, actual battery capacity is closer to 4200 maH.
every otter box i've owned i bust the clear plastic film out of. It has always stuck to my screen protector and caused weird things to happen. it's glued in normally so if you take it out you could always put it back. I just ordered one with my note and plan on doing it to that too.
My otterbox screen protector stuck to the zagg screen protector also, I just squirted the spray that came with the zagg screen and applied the otterbox screen and lid (as one piece) over the zagg and squeegeed it in place.
It only lifts on the edges, but not anywhere there is an image.
I' wouldn't plan on taking the case off, without screwing the screen protector install.
I used my Motorola RAZR M with only a ZAGG screen protector, and never got more than some dings around the corners. Same went for my Droid Incredible. But both of those were much smaller than the S4. I have a case on the S4 right now, but I am wondering if its necessary. Even in my pockets , it is getting bumped around against furniture at work (I do maintenance, lots of furniture and appliance moving). But this never phased my old phones. Does this phone break easily? What kind of protection is considered necessary? I planned to get a vinyl skin to cover the back, and another Zagg protector for the front. I am interested in something just to protect the corners, but looking on Amazon did not turn up anything that looked decent.
chipseq said:
I used my Motorola RAZR M with only a ZAGG screen protector, and never got more than some dings around the corners. Same went for my Droid Incredible. But both of those were much smaller than the S4. I have a case on the S4 right now, but I am wondering if its necessary. Even in my pockets , it is getting bumped around against furniture at work (I do maintenance, lots of furniture and appliance moving). But this never phased my old phones. Does this phone break easily? What kind of protection is considered necessary? I planned to get a vinyl skin to cover the back, and another Zagg protector for the front. I am interested in something just to protect the corners, but looking on Amazon did not turn up anything that looked decent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say definitely get something. I've had them all... Otter Boxes to TPU Cases. For me a screen protector and the TPU Case that came with my extended battery has been great and I work construction/trucking and my phone flies around quite often.
A lot boils down to luck too.. My friend had his screen break while in an Otter Box.... Mine has dropped from 5 feet up in a tractor trailer while getting out and nothing happened at all..... Better be safe than sorry though.. I get all mind off Amazon
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
I'd say definitely get something. I've had them all... Otter Boxes to TPU Cases. For me a screen protector and the TPU Case that came with my extended battery has been great and I work construction/trucking and my phone flies around quite often.
A lot boils down to luck too.. My friend had his screen break while in an Otter Box.... Mine has dropped from 5 feet up in a tractor trailer while getting out and nothing happened at all..... Better be safe than sorry though.. I get all mind off Amazon
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a screen protector and a flip cover case, been working out well as its not too cumbersome. All goes back to the level of risk a S4 owner wishes to have.
chipseq said:
I used my Motorola RAZR M with only a ZAGG screen protector, and never got more than some dings around the corners. Same went for my Droid Incredible. But both of those were much smaller than the S4. I have a case on the S4 right now, but I am wondering if its necessary. Even in my pockets , it is getting bumped around against furniture at work (I do maintenance, lots of furniture and appliance moving). But this never phased my old phones. Does this phone break easily? What kind of protection is considered necessary? I planned to get a vinyl skin to cover the back, and another Zagg protector for the front. I am interested in something just to protect the corners, but looking on Amazon did not turn up anything that looked decent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a naked S4 - I carry it in a NiteIze belt holster with a flap cover. I've been carrying my phone for a year now like this with no problems. I have dropped the phone once or twice with no damage. YMMV
Here's what I am using: http://www.niteize.com/product/Clip-Case-Cargo-Wide.asp
I cannot use a cover or OtterBox or skin when using this holster and it is my preferred method to carry. Not in my pockets, pants or shirt. Very accessible.
I've been searching for a while, and have come across dozens of threads complaining about the Defender's screen protector (and I agree..they suck, lol), or whether this protector or that protector will work with the Otterbox...but nothing yet of the durability of the tempered glass screen protectors in place of the entire Otterbox case altogether.
I had gone years and years without running any cases at all without an issue, and only started running basic plastic screen protectors on my last few phones. I'd swap out the protectors every month or so when they got scratched up, and I was perfectly happy with that setup.
Then I got a S4 Active last year...put my plastic protector on it, and broke the screen within the first week. Got it warranteed out due to water intrusion, and broke the screen on the replacement phone within about 12 hours. I got nervous going forward, and immediately put an Otterbox Defender on my Note 3 when I got it a couple months ago (like literally, took it out of the Samsung box, and straight into an Otterbox, lol). I had read about dust intrusion issues with the Otterbox, and thus left the factory "protector" on the screen...and glad I did, because this thing has sucked in all kinds of dust and crap into it. Seems like I'm pulling it apart every couple of weeks to clean it out, and now (not surprisingly), the rubber outer is a loose fit.
The other problem now is that I've wanted to get the Samsung home dock, which won't work with the Otterbox installed (and from what I'm gathering, virtually every other case is going to be an issue). I tried adding the wireless phone back...nope, doesn't fit with the Otterbox. Decent car dock other than the "fits absolutely everything!!!" $20 garbage universal car mounts? Nope...doesn't go wide enough for the Otterbox. Tried adding one of the 5-in-1 adapters to get HDMI out and USB host...nope, doesn't fit with the Otterbox installed...and taking the phone out multiple times means the rubber outside fits less and less every time....
In my case, I couldn't care less if the sides/back of the phone gets dinged up/scratched, as it's a work phone that gets turned in when we upgrade so resale value means absolutely nothing to me. Keeping dust out obviously isn't something the Defender is good at. So it's basically just a very oversized screen protector to me now.
So...as far as breakage protection goes, how does the tempered glass protectors compare to something like the Defender case, or other similar bulky plastic cases go? I'm really thinking about just dumping the Otterbox altogether, putting on a tempered glass protector, and calling it good. If it means anything, I don't consider price to be an issue. I'll gladly dump $100 into a protector if it saves my phone from a drop.
urbex said:
I've been searching for a while, and have come across dozens of threads complaining about the Defender's screen protector (and I agree..they suck, lol), or whether this protector or that protector will work with the Otterbox...but nothing yet of the durability of the tempered glass screen protectors in place of the entire Otterbox case altogether.
I had gone years and years without running any cases at all without an issue, and only started running basic plastic screen protectors on my last few phones. I'd swap out the protectors every month or so when they got scratched up, and I was perfectly happy with that setup.
Then I got a S4 Active last year...put my plastic protector on it, and broke the screen within the first week. Got it warranteed out due to water intrusion, and broke the screen on the replacement phone within about 12 hours. I got nervous going forward, and immediately put an Otterbox Defender on my Note 3 when I got it a couple months ago (like literally, took it out of the Samsung box, and straight into an Otterbox, lol). I had read about dust intrusion issues with the Otterbox, and thus left the factory "protector" on the screen...and glad I did, because this thing has sucked in all kinds of dust and crap into it. Seems like I'm pulling it apart every couple of weeks to clean it out, and now (not surprisingly), the rubber outer is a loose fit.
The other problem now is that I've wanted to get the Samsung home dock, which won't work with the Otterbox installed (and from what I'm gathering, virtually every other case is going to be an issue). I tried adding the wireless phone back...nope, doesn't fit with the Otterbox. Decent car dock other than the "fits absolutely everything!!!" $20 garbage universal car mounts? Nope...doesn't go wide enough for the Otterbox. Tried adding one of the 5-in-1 adapters to get HDMI out and USB host...nope, doesn't fit with the Otterbox installed...and taking the phone out multiple times means the rubber outside fits less and less every time....
In my case, I couldn't care less if the sides/back of the phone gets dinged up/scratched, as it's a work phone that gets turned in when we upgrade so resale value means absolutely nothing to me. Keeping dust out obviously isn't something the Defender is good at. So it's basically just a very oversized screen protector to me now.
So...as far as breakage protection goes, how does the tempered glass protectors compare to something like the Defender case, or other similar bulky plastic cases go? I'm really thinking about just dumping the Otterbox altogether, putting on a tempered glass protector, and calling it good. If it means anything, I don't consider price to be an issue. I'll gladly dump $100 into a protector if it saves my phone from a drop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so first off...
If your interested in wireless charging, you can indeed get wireless charging without buying a new backplate. Myself and several others here on XDA use this one.
It installs on top of your battery UNDER your current backplate.
Tempered screen protectors are awesome. They will protect your screen against smashing, falls, chips, etc... They will not protect your bezel, backplate, corners, etc.
My suggestion to you is this.
Get this tempered glass screen protector, and it's no where near $100.00
Get this ultra slim case also
Or get this Bumper instead of a case
The Spigen case is one of the thinest, best looking slim cases I have ever seen. Another one would be the Note 3 Neo Hybrid, search on Amazon for it. What I'm getting at is that you should have SOME protection at very least from small or moderate drops. These cases will minimize the damage, or completely save your phone while not adding any size or bulk to it. I have that tempered glass screen protector. It's very well made and is like a rock.
*Keep in mind you will need a Qi Wireless charger pad if you purchase that wireless receiver for your Note 3. They are all over Amazon and are very inexpensive. All these accessories I have mentioned will work with wireless charging quite fine. Here is the one for my Note 3.
.
Hope this helps, good luck
Cool, thanks!
Ordered that glass screen protector yesterday, and was looking at some of the wireless charging options. I had tried a couple of those add in coils with my S4 Active, but didn't like that they all bulged the back cover causing it to unsnap...I figured the Samsung charging back was actually the perfect solution. It's really not a big deal now, as my original intention was to go wireless to get around the problems with the Otterbox case. Though I may still go back down that road, as I'm seeing a few car mounts being released with wireless charging built in now.
Am gonna order this case from amazon as soon as I get it I will post review
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H9Y5PYG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CKSBAXB5C1MY
I have a Spigen Tempered Glass protector, and numerous types of cases for protection.
I stupidly one day wasn't using a case, and my phone fell out of my shorts pocket and hit the ground. Hard. Screen down. I was very scared. I flipped it over, and the screen was fine, but the edge of the lower part of the phone, the chrome plastic surround was dented and a small corner of the protector cracked a tiny bit.
The protector definitely saved the screen but my phone is now dented. It has not been without a case since.
If you don't want something big but still want great bumper and shock protection try diztronic TPU cases. You can remove the phone all the time, it doesn't stretch out, and it looks great. If you want a slightly bigger case, UAG make great one price durable cases similar to Otterbox but they don't stretch. Spigen also has a great Slim Armor case if you want something larger, but not bulky.
Also, get a Tempered Glass protector. Obviously.
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