Vaping on or going back to smoking? Still undecided.
- Thread starter davcav
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Thank you so very much to everyone here, for your help, tips, support. I really appreciate it.
Nothing is perfect but really, all it would take is for this Zeus XL battery to last what it is supposed to last or at least what the company says it should last and I would be a happy camper.
Ok, 2am over here. Gotta go to bed.
Thank you and good night everyone.
Nothing is perfect but really, all it would take is for this Zeus XL battery to last what it is supposed to last or at least what the company says it should last and I would be a happy camper.
Ok, 2am over here. Gotta go to bed.
Thank you and good night everyone.
ahhhh you are one of many thousands that are trying to go from one thing to another and expecting the same results....
vaping isnt smoking and trying to replace smoking with a different version of smoking with something that isnt smoking is difficult
there are things in the vaping world that kinda sorta come close but not really....
the closest thing you may find is a juice that is extracted from tobacco to simulate the taste of tobacco but it wont replicate the taste of burning tobacco....
the "burn" in the throat ( throat hit TH) is sort of simulated by a hi nic content and PG....
you may want to consider getting some juices from Heathers Heavenly Vapes ( their NETS) or from Naturallyextractedtobaccos.net NET.com ( i think) with a medium mixed PG/VG ratio....
as far as the vapor density, a nice tank ( like the Aqua V2) and a mod capable of 15-+watts will provide the punch of dense vapor
my preference is HHVs Pirates Booty juice and my mod is an SVD from Itaste with an RSST tank ( personal preference)
there are literally hundreds of tanks/drippers to choose from and dozens of mods to consider
go to fasttech.com and view the choices.... read the reviews and choose wisely... if you have questions ... we can try to answer them, lots of experience and experienced vapers abound amoungst these threads...
vaping isnt smoking and trying to replace smoking with a different version of smoking with something that isnt smoking is difficult
there are things in the vaping world that kinda sorta come close but not really....
the closest thing you may find is a juice that is extracted from tobacco to simulate the taste of tobacco but it wont replicate the taste of burning tobacco....
the "burn" in the throat ( throat hit TH) is sort of simulated by a hi nic content and PG....
you may want to consider getting some juices from Heathers Heavenly Vapes ( their NETS) or from Naturallyextractedtobaccos.net NET.com ( i think) with a medium mixed PG/VG ratio....
as far as the vapor density, a nice tank ( like the Aqua V2) and a mod capable of 15-+watts will provide the punch of dense vapor
my preference is HHVs Pirates Booty juice and my mod is an SVD from Itaste with an RSST tank ( personal preference)
there are literally hundreds of tanks/drippers to choose from and dozens of mods to consider
go to fasttech.com and view the choices.... read the reviews and choose wisely... if you have questions ... we can try to answer them, lots of experience and experienced vapers abound amoungst these threads...
Don't forget that the country still needs smokers. Otherwise governments will be looking for money elsewhere. 
We've all been where you are and fought the battle to find something that looks like a cigarette and vapes like an 18650 mod. Truth is, they don't exist. I have a shoebox in my closet that contains a dozen or so 510 minis (cigalike) and early eGo's. They were OK for a while, but I found myself tied to a battery charger.
That got old pretty quick and I discovered 18650 battery mods. I've never let go of the larger battery mods in the last few years. Give it some time and you will probably make the same decisions. Battery life and larger atomizer tanks are the key to trouble free vaping and good flavor. Buy your juices in bottles and fill the same atomizer over and over instead of buying pre-filled cartridges.
We all felt conspicuous in our early vaping days. No one's going to laugh if you pull out a large mod in the break area and blow clouds of vapor. What they will do is gather around and ask all sorts of questions about how it works and how it tastes.
Don't worry about the fact that vaping tastes different from smoking. Over a short period of time you will realize that the vape tastes really good and the cigarette tastes like smoking straw rolled in paper. I found that out by smoking with one hand and vaping with the other. I'd take a hit from one, then the other. When I did that I had been vaping for over a year and just smoking after meals and with coffee. It was an enlightening experience that made me decide to finish the pack I had and refuse to buy another. I never went back after that.
That got old pretty quick and I discovered 18650 battery mods. I've never let go of the larger battery mods in the last few years. Give it some time and you will probably make the same decisions. Battery life and larger atomizer tanks are the key to trouble free vaping and good flavor. Buy your juices in bottles and fill the same atomizer over and over instead of buying pre-filled cartridges.
We all felt conspicuous in our early vaping days. No one's going to laugh if you pull out a large mod in the break area and blow clouds of vapor. What they will do is gather around and ask all sorts of questions about how it works and how it tastes.
Don't worry about the fact that vaping tastes different from smoking. Over a short period of time you will realize that the vape tastes really good and the cigarette tastes like smoking straw rolled in paper. I found that out by smoking with one hand and vaping with the other. I'd take a hit from one, then the other. When I did that I had been vaping for over a year and just smoking after meals and with coffee. It was an enlightening experience that made me decide to finish the pack I had and refuse to buy another. I never went back after that.
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Getting a smoker who enjoys smoking and doesn't mind the health risk to switch to vaping is like trying to get someone who enjoys McDonald's milkshakes and doesn't mind the extra calories to start making fruit smoothies at home. Making smoothies is more difficult, but cheaper. Drinking smoothies is healthier, but tastes different than fast food shakes. If you're fine with the less healthy and more expensive option, then why change for a taste experience that may take some getting used to.
It's all about motivation. I started vaping because I was looking for a healthier way to get nicotine. I stopped drinking shakes because I wanted to look better in my clothes. At first I missed the rich tobacco flavor, just as I missed the rich ice cream flavor when I stopped drinking shakes. But now I've come to love the taste of my e-liquids just as I have come to love my smoothies.
You're gonna have a hard time learning to enjoy something that you don't really want to do. The good news is that vaping products keep getting better and cheaper. So when you're finally motivated, there will be some great stuff for you to try.
It's all about motivation. I started vaping because I was looking for a healthier way to get nicotine. I stopped drinking shakes because I wanted to look better in my clothes. At first I missed the rich tobacco flavor, just as I missed the rich ice cream flavor when I stopped drinking shakes. But now I've come to love the taste of my e-liquids just as I have come to love my smoothies.
You're gonna have a hard time learning to enjoy something that you don't really want to do. The good news is that vaping products keep getting better and cheaper. So when you're finally motivated, there will be some great stuff for you to try.
I had similar expectations for vaping as you. I started last July, cold turkey from 2 packs a day.
I didn't want an intergalactic space radio producing steam, and I wanted something that tasted like a cigarette or a good cigar. Can't stand fruity flavors. Can't stand batteries that die after an hour or two.
I gave Blu about $250 USD over the course of a month, but battery life sucked, and the whole system was unreliable. I finally gave up, because the smaller setups with replaceable coils were not maintainable in the long run - if I hated it, I wouldn't use it. The local shop near me gave tons of advice, and steered me away from rebuilding until I asked for info on it. I spent a lot of time lurking here as well.
Now I own that steaming space radio, and it works OK. Just had to get used to the idea. The folks here can point to some decent setups that I have no experience with, that don't look like you can communicate with the Mars Rover with them. I'm still looking for something small I can use in public and not look like an alleyway is on fire.
The key is I really did want to make the switch. After attending two funerals over the summer, I figured I'd better make a change. On average, I haven't saved a dime. Throwaway hardware, better hardware, and liquid expenses (and the associated trial and error) put me about break even. But its worth it.
I didn't want an intergalactic space radio producing steam, and I wanted something that tasted like a cigarette or a good cigar. Can't stand fruity flavors. Can't stand batteries that die after an hour or two.
I gave Blu about $250 USD over the course of a month, but battery life sucked, and the whole system was unreliable. I finally gave up, because the smaller setups with replaceable coils were not maintainable in the long run - if I hated it, I wouldn't use it. The local shop near me gave tons of advice, and steered me away from rebuilding until I asked for info on it. I spent a lot of time lurking here as well.
Now I own that steaming space radio, and it works OK. Just had to get used to the idea. The folks here can point to some decent setups that I have no experience with, that don't look like you can communicate with the Mars Rover with them. I'm still looking for something small I can use in public and not look like an alleyway is on fire.
The key is I really did want to make the switch. After attending two funerals over the summer, I figured I'd better make a change. On average, I haven't saved a dime. Throwaway hardware, better hardware, and liquid expenses (and the associated trial and error) put me about break even. But its worth it.
Welcome davcav, you really hit the spot with this one! Like you I wanted, still want a vape that is as easy and reliable as a cig. I'm still surprised I stayed with vaping and really can't tell you why. I didn't want something so big and heavy I couldn't hang it from my lip while I used both hands doing other things, and I sure didn't have any interest in refilling tanks, cleaning, building, rebuilding coils, "smoking" something that taste like candy, fruit, pastries, coffee or the myriad of other flavors, just gimme a plain old cigarette flavor! Yet here I am almost 2 years later with something that looks sorta like a old transistor radio with a fat antenna, vaping strawberry kiwi fruit flavor in a tank that I filled and a coil I built. And when it comes right down to it I can't give you a good reason why, I wasn't really concerned with my health, I could afford to smoke, and I Really loved smoking. But vaping worked and so now I vape. Will it work for anyone and everyone, I doubt it. Might not work for you, I hope it does, but if not I would not mind a bit sitting down with you visiting while you enjoy a smoke and I enjoy a vape if we ever wind up in the same country. No mater what, best of luck to you. I really appreciate you posts, takes most of us back to what we really wanted, maybe some day the products will meet our wants!!
Don't forget that the country still needs smokers. Otherwise governments will be looking for money elsewhere.
let them tax junk food.... thats not healthy either....
I'm 5 months in I not totally cut the ciggies out but I have cut down and saved some serious cash in the process. Getting the juices right isn't easy though and I gone through a few venders in my journey so far. I not totally quit but I gone from 20+ a day to 5+ a day.
This is what I am using, and finding it quite the satisfactory experience. I have been analog free for 2 weeks after smoking for 44 years, on average 2 packs a day. Don't give up or give in! Have some fun discovering new flavors, and with the istick and Nautilus, you will find the experience a lot easier!
took me more than 6 months to go from 3 PAD to a couple of ciggies a day.... and another couple of months to get down to 1-3 ciggies a week... I tapered off, knowing quite well going cold turkey would have ended in someone getting seriously hurt... physically or emotionally
JKits not about stopping instantly... its about stopping eventually
do people stop eating completely when going on a diet?? nope... they eat less eat differently
Ah, women, they see something shiny and they forget down to their first name
Well, speaking as a woman... I was really glad to receive a diamond anniversary band from my husband, on our 20th anniversary -- but it required 20 years of life to get there. If I were given a choice between a) that diamond ring, or b) my husband, I'd choose my husband EVERY SINGLE TIME. He is beyond price, beyond any monetary or "shiny" consideration possible. I bet your wife feels that way too -- she'd probably much rather have you around for a lot more years thanks to giving up smoking, than any amount of diamonds you could throw at her. Diamonds are gorgeous, but they can't hold you when you're sad, or warm you when you're cold, or be a tolerant target when you're feeling pissy -- they're an adornment of life, not life itself.
There is no substitute for the man you love. Her complaints about the smell are surface; underneath that surface complaint, is probably her genuine fear of losing you to a preventable disease and death.
Andria
I had 2 go through a lot of trial and error to find the right set-up. I would reccomend first getting away from analogalikes except for maybe the Mig Cig kit. I'd reccomend an I stick 30W with an Kangertech Aetotank mini. I'd reccomend the Nautalis cuz it's a way better tank but priming them every time you change a coil you probably wouldn't like. In terms of Tobacco style juices I'd say Halo or Nicoticket the Virus
Hi Davcav, I feel your frustration. Here's my long story - hope it inspires you!
1st, I really like smoking. Only reasons to quit are because other peeps (fiance, mostly) don't like the smell, really pricey (about $200USD/month), and the health problems that will come down the road. I breathe fine, and don't have a cough, but I know if wait a few more years, it'll happen. So, I basically only wanted to quit for all those superficial reasons, as I said, I still LIKE smoking, as crazy/dumb as it it may be!
So a year ago I tried to quit. I had the same reasoning as you, and really wanted to try and duplicate the smoking experience, and got a V2 cig-alike kit. No button to push, the same size (but heavier) than a real cig, and disposable tobacco cartridges. I ended up thinking all the tobacco flavors tasted like unlit cigarettes, not bad, but definitely not smoking! And it didn't feel like a cigarette in my hands or mouth. I was still smoking like a chimney, this was NOT working.
Then my friend lent me her Egos w/ Evod tanks, with some fruity juices. I liked these much better, and began to make the most important mental switch - vaping isn't anything like smoking, and to succeed, I had to stop trying to make it be something it isn't. Hard to explain, but once I made that mental switch, things got lots easier. So last winter, I used my friend's Vamo, and liked it even better than the Egos, so I decided to really make an effort, bought the Vamo, and got down from 35 cigs/day to 4 cigs/day easily. I took a no pressure approach: every time I wanted to smoke, I would vape 1st. If I still wanted to smoke in 5 minutes, I would, no guilt. It was amazing! I just forgot that I wanted to smoke after I vaped for a minute!
Then spring came - I always smoked outside, so going outside is a huge trigger for me. Then with gardening, my hands were all dirty, and I didn't want to touch my nice e cig, so I'd grab a smoke. Long story short, I was back to 35 cigs/day within a few weeks Felt terrible about myself, but decided to give up until I came in for the winter again.
Winter came, and I found myself getting really frustrated with trying vaping again. Not nearly as succesful as last year My cigarettes are so dependable, they work every time. These dang tanks kept clogging so I couldn't get a hit, and I'd end up reaching for a smoke. I finally found some cheap tanks that didn't clog on me, and learned to always have a spare one filled and ready, so that if one does clog, I can just switch and not get all mad, thank golly, and that's when I decided that the only way I was going to stop going for the cigarettes was to not have any in the house. So I ran out. For the 1st time in 20 years, I had no cigarettes in my house. Scary! It was rough for the 1st 3 days, but only mentally, 'cuz I carried that Vamo like a pacifier, so I didn't have any nicotine craving.
I recently upgraded to an eleaf istick 30w and an Aspire Atlantis tank. Got both for $65USD. I never have to "mess" with this setup at all, just fill and vape 'til the tanks empty, which with heavy vaping takes most of the day. Absolutely no leaking, no wiping, no tissues! The battery is really small, I'm a 5'2" 100# gal, and I can hide it in my hand, with just the tank showing.
All told, from beginning to end, including umpteen flavors of juice to try (sounds like you're ahead of me in that department, I've probably spent about $500. I still want to smoke, and miss it, but sure don't miss the ashtrays and smell! I'm sure I could start smoking again no prob if I couldn't vape, so I seem to be a bit unusual in this forum in that regard - I tried one a few days ago and had to put it out because I was liking it!
I'm sorry you've already dumped so much $ in and are so frustrated! Please look through these forums, they've helped me find the right stuff to use, as well as the inspiration to keep trying! Keep up the good work!
1st, I really like smoking. Only reasons to quit are because other peeps (fiance, mostly) don't like the smell, really pricey (about $200USD/month), and the health problems that will come down the road. I breathe fine, and don't have a cough, but I know if wait a few more years, it'll happen. So, I basically only wanted to quit for all those superficial reasons, as I said, I still LIKE smoking, as crazy/dumb as it it may be!
So a year ago I tried to quit. I had the same reasoning as you, and really wanted to try and duplicate the smoking experience, and got a V2 cig-alike kit. No button to push, the same size (but heavier) than a real cig, and disposable tobacco cartridges. I ended up thinking all the tobacco flavors tasted like unlit cigarettes, not bad, but definitely not smoking! And it didn't feel like a cigarette in my hands or mouth. I was still smoking like a chimney, this was NOT working.
Then my friend lent me her Egos w/ Evod tanks, with some fruity juices. I liked these much better, and began to make the most important mental switch - vaping isn't anything like smoking, and to succeed, I had to stop trying to make it be something it isn't. Hard to explain, but once I made that mental switch, things got lots easier. So last winter, I used my friend's Vamo, and liked it even better than the Egos, so I decided to really make an effort, bought the Vamo, and got down from 35 cigs/day to 4 cigs/day easily. I took a no pressure approach: every time I wanted to smoke, I would vape 1st. If I still wanted to smoke in 5 minutes, I would, no guilt. It was amazing! I just forgot that I wanted to smoke after I vaped for a minute!
Then spring came - I always smoked outside, so going outside is a huge trigger for me. Then with gardening, my hands were all dirty, and I didn't want to touch my nice e cig, so I'd grab a smoke. Long story short, I was back to 35 cigs/day within a few weeks
Felt terrible about myself, but decided to give up until I came in for the winter again.Winter came, and I found myself getting really frustrated with trying vaping again. Not nearly as succesful as last year
My cigarettes are so dependable, they work every time. These dang tanks kept clogging so I couldn't get a hit, and I'd end up reaching for a smoke. I finally found some cheap tanks that didn't clog on me, and learned to always have a spare one filled and ready, so that if one does clog, I can just switch and not get all mad, thank golly, and that's when I decided that the only way I was going to stop going for the cigarettes was to not have any in the house. So I ran out. For the 1st time in 20 years, I had no cigarettes in my house. Scary! It was rough for the 1st 3 days, but only mentally, 'cuz I carried that Vamo like a pacifier, so I didn't have any nicotine craving.I recently upgraded to an eleaf istick 30w and an Aspire Atlantis tank. Got both for $65USD. I never have to "mess" with this setup at all, just fill and vape 'til the tanks empty, which with heavy vaping takes most of the day. Absolutely no leaking, no wiping, no tissues! The battery is really small, I'm a 5'2" 100# gal, and I can hide it in my hand, with just the tank showing.
All told, from beginning to end, including umpteen flavors of juice to try (sounds like you're ahead of me in that department
, I've probably spent about $500. I still want to smoke, and miss it, but sure don't miss the ashtrays and smell! I'm sure I could start smoking again no prob if I couldn't vape, so I seem to be a bit unusual in this forum in that regard - I tried one a few days ago and had to put it out because I was liking it! I'm sorry you've already dumped so much $ in and are so frustrated! Please look through these forums, they've helped me find the right stuff to use, as well as the inspiration to keep trying! Keep up the good work!
Hi everyone,
Thank you all again for your replies. I just can't believe I got so many!
I don't need to search any longer for good liquids. I found two that have great tasting tobacco flavors. Today, I received them in 25mg nicotine and the throat hit is so strong it got me coughing, brilliant! I even got the nicotine rush after a few longs puffs. So I am all set on this side.
For the device, I still think that if the Zeus XL batteries were performing as Vapor4Life is claiming, meaning they last between 15 to 20 hours (but I'd gladly settle for 10), it would do it for me. This device produces lots of vapor and is fairly convenient to use. So I will see if the replacement batteries they are sending me will be up to par. If not, I'll try carrying around a bunch of Halo G6 batteries and cartomizers as these little things are not bad either. And if I get tired of all of this, I'll just go back to smoking. No big deal.
Later on, I'll post an update on the final outcome to sort of wrap things up.
I am glad to read that vaping works out for all of you, providing a better smoking experience and health.
Take care.
Thank you all again for your replies. I just can't believe I got so many!
I don't need to search any longer for good liquids. I found two that have great tasting tobacco flavors. Today, I received them in 25mg nicotine and the throat hit is so strong it got me coughing, brilliant! I even got the nicotine rush after a few longs puffs. So I am all set on this side.
For the device, I still think that if the Zeus XL batteries were performing as Vapor4Life is claiming, meaning they last between 15 to 20 hours (but I'd gladly settle for 10), it would do it for me. This device produces lots of vapor and is fairly convenient to use. So I will see if the replacement batteries they are sending me will be up to par. If not, I'll try carrying around a bunch of Halo G6 batteries and cartomizers as these little things are not bad either. And if I get tired of all of this, I'll just go back to smoking. No big deal.
Later on, I'll post an update on the final outcome to sort of wrap things up.
I am glad to read that vaping works out for all of you, providing a better smoking experience and health.
Take care.
Hey davcav,
I feel ya man, I really do. I don't really want to quit smoking and completely enjoy a good cigarette. I have found (through expensive trial and error) that vaping isn't so bad. You don't have to quit totally if you don't want to. If you find the "right" gear/juice you may pick up a vaping habit and just smoke far less.
I started out with one of those "monster" devices (Innokin Cool Fire 1) that you seem to want to stay away from. The size didn't bother me. I wasn't getting the smoke output nor the flavour. I swapped to a Vision Spinner battery and Kanger E-Smart BBC clearos. It isn't a cigalike but this setup is small and light enough, with the smoke output you may like. It's variable voltage so you can adjust as needed/wanted. It's a cheap setup. I strongly suggest giving it a go. I've been chain vaping like mad since I got it. Pressing the button to hit it becomes second nature. It really isn't bad at all if you give it a day or two to adapt.
Juices were a huge problem for me. Tobacco wannabes suck for the most part. I figured out early on that mixing the "best" tobacco flavour I found with a bit of lime or orange can simulate a Camel Exotic Blends cigarette quite nicely. Same with clove flavours. Anyway... Good luck!
I feel ya man, I really do. I don't really want to quit smoking and completely enjoy a good cigarette. I have found (through expensive trial and error) that vaping isn't so bad. You don't have to quit totally if you don't want to. If you find the "right" gear/juice you may pick up a vaping habit and just smoke far less.
I started out with one of those "monster" devices (Innokin Cool Fire 1) that you seem to want to stay away from. The size didn't bother me. I wasn't getting the smoke output nor the flavour. I swapped to a Vision Spinner battery and Kanger E-Smart BBC clearos. It isn't a cigalike but this setup is small and light enough, with the smoke output you may like. It's variable voltage so you can adjust as needed/wanted. It's a cheap setup. I strongly suggest giving it a go. I've been chain vaping like mad since I got it. Pressing the button to hit it becomes second nature. It really isn't bad at all if you give it a day or two to adapt.
Juices were a huge problem for me. Tobacco wannabes suck for the most part. I figured out early on that mixing the "best" tobacco flavour I found with a bit of lime or orange can simulate a Camel Exotic Blends cigarette quite nicely. Same with clove flavours. Anyway... Good luck!
Quick update...
I would have done it on my original post if I knew how to edit it but, anyway, a quick update to say that today I received a few Halo mini tanks to plug onto my automatic g6 batteries. I wanted to try these even though they would make my cigarette look a little less than... a cigarette. I figured they could be easier to fill/refill and less guess work about how filled they are as they are clear.
First thing: extremely easy to fill and no more wiping! Very clean. So a great point for convenience. I filled one, screwed it on the battery and smoked away. Not one paper towel involved.
Overall, the assembly still looks somewhat like a cigarette. Something close enough that I can live with.
I also got a new pcc as I broke the first one instantly the first time I tried to connect a battery. So I am about to spend the weekend with two long (78mm) batteries in the pcc, an additional one in my pocket, two of these mini tanks and a small (10ml) bottle of liquid. If I can get through it with what I would consider such minimal equipment and not craving real cigarettes, I think this will tilt the balance towards vaping. Maybe even forever.
The replacements batteries for the Zeus are on their way to me but I have to say, these mini tanks seem to be so easy and NO mess that the Zeus doesn't look so good anymore.
Also, I have been smoking those liquids I found and they are just so amazing... yes so amazing that they really are contributing to making me a vaper or vaporer or whatever it is called.
I wish everybody a great weekend. Party hard, don't think about the next day and have fun.
I would have done it on my original post if I knew how to edit it but, anyway, a quick update to say that today I received a few Halo mini tanks to plug onto my automatic g6 batteries. I wanted to try these even though they would make my cigarette look a little less than... a cigarette. I figured they could be easier to fill/refill and less guess work about how filled they are as they are clear.
First thing: extremely easy to fill and no more wiping! Very clean. So a great point for convenience. I filled one, screwed it on the battery and smoked away. Not one paper towel involved.
Overall, the assembly still looks somewhat like a cigarette. Something close enough that I can live with.
I also got a new pcc as I broke the first one instantly the first time I tried to connect a battery. So I am about to spend the weekend with two long (78mm) batteries in the pcc, an additional one in my pocket, two of these mini tanks and a small (10ml) bottle of liquid. If I can get through it with what I would consider such minimal equipment and not craving real cigarettes, I think this will tilt the balance towards vaping. Maybe even forever.
The replacements batteries for the Zeus are on their way to me but I have to say, these mini tanks seem to be so easy and NO mess that the Zeus doesn't look so good anymore.
Also, I have been smoking those liquids I found and they are just so amazing... yes so amazing that they really are contributing to making me a vaper or vaporer or whatever it is called.
I wish everybody a great weekend. Party hard, don't think about the next day and have fun.
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