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Jeff K
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« on: July 23, 2011, 05:31:25 PM » |
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Yes I know the Motorcycle specific GPS units are nice. I'm having a hard time letting go of $700+ for a GPS.
Are there any car units that come close to the bike units?
I like to be able to plan my route on my laptop and dl to the GPS.
I'd like to do bluetooth to an ear piece to hear directions.
Traffic alerts would be nice too.
Any ideas?
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GotValk
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« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 06:26:56 PM » |
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Go to Garmin.com then look to Amazon.com and You'll find something for way less than $700.00
I use a Garmin Nuvi 760 ( now a discontinued unit) and it works Great! If it rains I deal with it by covering it in a baggie or putting it away, Not a big deal.
I think you need to get one and live with your decision until you want to fork out the big bucks, I'm still living with mine and it's fine.
I'm sure some of the other brands are fine too. Just like TV's I'm still stuck on Sony!
Good Luck!
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CajunRider
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« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2011, 06:39:05 PM » |
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I'm a fan of the Garmin GPSMap series... they're made for outdoors (water proof, AKA Marine Friendly). That means it can get rained on with no problem.
However, they're pricy... about $300 - $500 depending on the options you get.
Still... less than the $700 you mentioned.
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Sent from my Apple IIe
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B
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« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2011, 07:09:46 PM » |
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+1 on the Garmin 760 series.
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"if I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me." TLB-Ps.139:9-10
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highcountry
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« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2011, 07:39:59 PM » |
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I bought a Nuvi 500 which is weatherproof and provides everything that I need. It is also Bluetooth capable. Got a refurb off of Amazon for $189.
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2011, 07:54:16 PM » |
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I went on the cheap side. I have a $10 mount and a $50 used Garmin nuvi 250 GPS. The mount sucks, if the handle bar clamp is tight enough to "stay" in place, it'll break when you hit bumps. I've gorilla glued it three times in different places. I finally put a rubber band around the handle bar and that seems to work (the last 2 yrs anyway).
I don't have a problem with using a cheap GPS, you just need a Ram mount to hold it. I have a Ram on the other side to hold my iphone and it's a very good holder.
I use the Garmin daily. It doesn't bluetooth to my helmet, but on 100% volume, I can hear it above my stock pipes.
I had my last GPS stolen, and I was glad I didn't have a $700 one.
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 Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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Robert
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« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2011, 08:32:14 PM » |
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The iphone4 has a Garmin app for 40.00 also has blue tooth I think you can plot on the computer but you'd have to check that out. Just updated the app so the turn by turn is better but the reviews are not great.
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Jeff K
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« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2011, 09:13:29 PM » |
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The iphone4 has a Garmin app for 40.00 also has blue tooth I think you can plot on the computer but you'd have to check that out. Just updated the app so the turn by turn is better but the reviews are not great.
I refuse to buy an ianything. |
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Piper
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« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2011, 09:34:46 PM » |
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I refuse to buy an ianything.
+1 |
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~ / And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune
0/// Then the piper will lead us to reason
<|o> And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
/_\ And the forest will echo with laughter
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T.P.
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« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2011, 10:10:07 PM » |
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You can get your handle bar mounts here. http://www.expressmounts.com/ |
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"Well you can call me T, or you can call me P, or you can call me T.P. but you doesn't hasta call me Toilet Paper"
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MacDragon
Member
Posts: 1970
My first Valk VRCC# 32095
Middleton, Mass.
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« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2011, 04:19:46 AM » |
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I use a cheap Garmin Nuvi also. Have the Kuryakyn Powerpoint on the handlebar for power on all three bikes. I just take the Garmin on whatever I'm riding. I did not shell out the bucks for a Ram mount... I've just been using the car windshield mount on the inside of my Memphis Shades windshield... Hasn't failed me yet. I position it near center above the headlight bucket so if it becomes unstuck... it only falls a couple of inches to the headlight and stays on the bike instead of the road. The winshield brackets keep everything contained there. The cord is also wound up with elastic and down beside the bucket out of site.  |
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 Ride fast and take chances... uh, I mean... ride safe folks. Patriot Guard Riders |
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Jess Tolbirt
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« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2011, 05:36:39 AM » |
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I use the windshield mount and stick it on the tach glass...
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Jeff K
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« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2011, 08:51:56 AM » |
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I bought a Nuvi 500 which is weatherproof and provides everything that I need. It is also Bluetooth capable. Got a refurb off of Amazon for $189.
+1 Seems I give this same answer about once a month  Nuvi 500. Waterproof....perfect for bikes....and CHEAP! Sherry and I both use one on our bikes. AND can run on easily replaceable battery if u don't want to run power to it. can you plan routes on a laptop and DL to the 500? |
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6986
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2011, 09:29:30 AM » |
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There are several of the Nuvi 500's on E-Bay (didn't check Amazon). RAM mounts are definately good sturdy mounts and the link that T.P. posted has a water proof RAM mount if you should decide on something other than the Nuvi 500. There are water proof mounts on E-Bay cheaper but they might be the one that FUDD said that he has. Of course you could always use one of STRIDER's fancy dancy water proof mounts:  I have never used (or even seen) a Nuvi 500 but I think that I'm going to look into one. I like that it is water proof and that it uses Topographic maps. |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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Flat6Valk
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« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2011, 03:57:48 PM » |
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i use the garmin 1350T. works great. paid 129.00 at Radio Shack, this week Target has them for 119.00.
Not waterproof but so what. Put it in your pocket if it rains. In a baggie your not really going to use it either.
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RIDE SAFE-RIDE OFTEN........GO BUCKEYES!!!
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designer
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« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2011, 05:15:27 PM » |
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i use the garmin 1350T. works great. paid 129.00 at Radio Shack, this week Target has them for 119.00.
Not waterproof but so what. Put it in your pocket if it rains. In a baggie your not really going to use it either.
Why doesnt yours work in a baggie? Mine works ok. |
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2002 Valkyrie Std
K&N Filter, Audiovox Cruise, I/S bags and trunk, Cee Bailey shield +2, ECT mod, radiator pods, driving lights, rattlebars kick shifter ,I/S ICM
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xman
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« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2011, 07:14:46 PM » |
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My cheep GPS solution was to use the Tom Tom XXL model I had for the car. I got a ram mount for it, and another GPS power cord. I ran the accessory power into the headlight. The tom tom 12 volt power adaptor plugs in, inside the headlight. You could try other ways of mounting what you have but the ram mounts made the whole process easy, and I don't think it was to much.
The downside issues are, it's not waterproof, at times it needs a shade ring for the display to block the sun. Ram Mounts should do this, but they haven't.
What I like, the display on the XXL is big so I can see it without stopping. The mount holds the GPS very well at a good position to see. Driving the unmarked back roads it's a good to know I have the GPS to get me home.
Tom
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6986
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2011, 07:57:00 PM » |
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1 Corinthians 1:18 |
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xman
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« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2011, 08:30:57 PM » |
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Thanks, That is what I was looking for. Mine is a XXL 540 they make one. Tom |
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PhredValk
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« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2011, 09:34:32 PM » |
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I have a cheap Tomtom and a wetherproof handlebar mount from mountguys.com for $23. Rained 2 days strait on my trip East this year, worked like a charm. Find a cheaper GPS that has the features you want and get a good weatherproof mount. Powered it from a fuse panel under the seat that I built running off the battery through a relay.
Fred.
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
VRCCDS0237
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Psychotic Bovine
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« Reply #20 on: July 25, 2011, 09:43:18 AM » |
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The Garmin Zumo 550 is fully waterproof, and has all of the mounts you need for mounting in your car and on your motorcycle.
I know they are pricey, but there is a reason they are that expensive.
For the money, you get the peace of mind that a massive downpour will not hurt it, the screen is motorcycle glove friendly with large icons, and the mp3 player, while basic, is very nice to have. Ask Willow as to the durability of the Zumo, also!
just my 2 cents.
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"I aim to misbehave."
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ChromeDome
Member
Posts: 2175
Aurora, IL.
60 miles West of Chicago!
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« Reply #22 on: July 25, 2011, 11:22:46 AM » |
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I went with the Nuvi 550 .... water proof and battery lasts anywhere from 4 - 7 hrs depending on brightness and or sound. You can get the harness to wire into the bike but I chose a couple extra batteries instead. I'm still learning it and so far so good.
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Jeff K
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« Reply #23 on: July 25, 2011, 12:53:51 PM » |
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I went with the Nuvi 550 .... water proof and battery lasts anywhere from 4 - 7 hrs depending on brightness and or sound. You can get the harness to wire into the bike but I chose a couple extra batteries instead. I'm still learning it and so far so good.
that's what i do...i run batteries. No wires. I swap back and forth between two Valks and two Runes...the extra battery is SMALL ...and takes seconds to put in....so between the two batteries...i can go a full day of riding. TOTALLY waterproof. For my needs, i simply can NOT see paying more than this unit costs... i even use it in my car often...though i have a Nuvi 750 for that (it is NOT waterproof). Only "disadvantage" i see with the 500 series is it doesn't do MP3....but....i wouldn't be able to hear any MP3s on any of MY bikes anyway  I ordered a 500. $159 I checked out mapsource, it says you need a map first. The unit comes with a map in it, do I also need to buy a map to use mapsource? I have a Garmin hand held and I had to buy the gps, and the map separate. Do I have to buy a map to use mapsource with the 500? |
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Serk
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« Reply #24 on: July 25, 2011, 12:58:19 PM » |
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I went with the Nuvi 550 .... water proof and battery lasts anywhere from 4 - 7 hrs depending on brightness and or sound. You can get the harness to wire into the bike but I chose a couple extra batteries instead. I'm still learning it and so far so good.
that's what i do...i run batteries. No wires. I swap back and forth between two Valks and two Runes...the extra battery is SMALL ...and takes seconds to put in....so between the two batteries...i can go a full day of riding. TOTALLY waterproof. For my needs, i simply can NOT see paying more than this unit costs... i even use it in my car often...though i have a Nuvi 750 for that (it is NOT waterproof). Only "disadvantage" i see with the 500 series is it doesn't do MP3....but....i wouldn't be able to hear any MP3s on any of MY bikes anyway I ordered a 500. $159 I checked out mapsource, it says you need a map first. The unit comes with a map in it, do I also need to buy a map to use mapsource? I have a Garmin hand held and I had to buy the gps, and the map separate. Do I have to buy a map to use mapsource with the 500? Free site/program - GPS Babel - http://www.gpsbabel.org/It'll take input from just about any source (Microsoft Streets and Trips is my preferred way to build my route, but it'll take the routes from a TON of different systems) and convert it to just about any other system (I.E. Garmin routes.) |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Valk1520
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« Reply #25 on: July 25, 2011, 01:11:46 PM » |
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Thanks, That is what I was looking for. Mine is a XXL 540 they make one. Tom Does anyone have any experience with this? I wondered how it would work with the Ram Mount and if it stays in place at speed? Thanks |
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GotValk
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« Reply #26 on: July 29, 2011, 02:14:57 PM » |
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Jeff K , Be sure to give us a report on your new GPS when you receive it, We would like to here your comments, Also hope you get that fork seal leak under control. I'm getting close to 50,000 and no leaks yet...( hope I did jinks myself) .
Good Luck!
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Jeff K
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« Reply #27 on: July 29, 2011, 06:53:53 PM » |
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Tim,
How do you charge the second battery? It takes forever to charge a battery on a USB port.
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rws
Member
Posts: 104
1997 Valkyrie Tourer
North Dakota
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« Reply #28 on: July 29, 2011, 11:22:24 PM » |
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I ordered a 500. $159
I checked out mapsource, it says you need a map first. The unit comes with a map in it, do I also need to buy a map to use mapsource?
I have a Garmin hand held and I had to buy the gps, and the map separate. Do I have to buy a map to use mapsource with the 500?
Download BaseCamp from Garmin site...unlike Mapsource it will display your pre-loaded maps when using USB cable allowing you to trip plan. As far as charging batteries manual says up to 4 hours using the included 12v adapter or use the optional USB cable or AC adapter. |
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« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 09:28:01 AM by rws »
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Original VRCC Member Number 697
1997 Honda Valkyrie Tourer - 2019 Honda CRF450L - 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
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scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #29 on: July 31, 2011, 10:12:52 AM » |
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This looks like it may be a good canidate. New $359 or refurb $259 http://www.teletype.com/p/35001.html |
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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rws
Member
Posts: 104
1997 Valkyrie Tourer
North Dakota
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« Reply #30 on: August 01, 2011, 06:21:26 PM » |
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Another option in addition to my previous post regarding BaseCamp being used to plan trips on your computer: You have 90 days from the first time your unit acquires a satellite fix to log onto Garmin's site and check for a free map update. Even though yours comes preloaded with maps you have the option to install the updated maps on your computer which includes Mapsource. https://my.garmin.com/maps/nuMaps.htmNote: BaseCamp has some additional editing options not available in Mapsource. . |
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« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 06:25:26 PM by rws »
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Original VRCC Member Number 697
1997 Honda Valkyrie Tourer - 2019 Honda CRF450L - 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
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