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Best Hard Coolers

Meaney77

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Looking to get a new cooler- 70ish quart hard cooler. Not sold on the Yeti's, not looking to spend $400 on a cooler either-whats everyones opinion on hard coolers?
 

LakeBeard

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I have an Ozarks trail that works great. Super heavy tho. I rarely use it, mainly soft side A.O.
 

WhatExit?

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A Coleman Xtreme (various sizes) will be tough to beat for value and performance

26a8d50a-dd59-4b53-b24f-a40f77e4d1f1_1.a9bc3863f5d93afdf06c43e9df3e4235.jpeg
 

rivergames

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I have a 110 Yeti that has been an incredible cooler. I use it for most of my mutli day fishing trips and it has never let me down.

I bought an RTIC 110 and used it 1 day and the lid was about to fall off. It was a brand new cooler. RTIC would NOT refund the cooler and told me to kick rocks. F**K RTIC!

Down the road when I need a hard cooler, I really want to try out an Igloo. They look legit and reasonably priced.

https://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Super-...Igloo+Cooler&qid=1562014023&s=gateway&sr=8-15
61COwAUnHSL._SL1500_.jpg
 

renodaytona

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I have a Coleman Xtreme that has been great, it keeps ice for a few days. I'm very interested in the new Igloos as well.
 

Constant840

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I was looking for 100% made in the USA. Was between pelican and orca. Ultimatley I didnt like the molded handles of the pelican.
Picked up and Orca 70 for under $300. Some saltwater fishergirl on youtube does an unboxing video and has a 20% coupon code. Two seasons and its been great.
 
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Meaney77

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I have old Igloos and buy more ice. Cost- $1.49. :D
Thats what got me thinking about new coolers. We did 12 day out at Moabi over Fathers Day and I was going through 3x20lbs @ $8.00 each day- starts adding up fro frozen water.

On a side note each day we would all take turns grabbing ice and everyday each person would grab 20 bags of 20 lbs of ice @ $8.00. $160 a day x12 days for frozen water got me thinking I am in the wrong business.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Thats what got me thinking about new coolers. We did 12 day out at Moabi over Fathers Day and I was going through 3x20lbs @ $8.00 each day- starts adding up fro frozen water.

On a side note each day we would all take turns grabbing ice and everyday each person would grab 20 bags of 20 lbs of ice @ $8.00. $160 a day x12 days for frozen water got me thinking I am in the wrong business.

The expensive coolers don't work if they are opened and closed all day. Buy some Coleman Extremes.

$48 shipped to your door.

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Heavy-Duty-Cooler/dp/B00FQT6BQW
 

Gramps

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Thats what got me thinking about new coolers. We did 12 day out at Moabi over Fathers Day and I was going through 3x20lbs @ $8.00 each day- starts adding up fro frozen water.

On a side note each day we would all take turns grabbing ice and everyday each person would grab 20 bags of 20 lbs of ice @ $8.00. $160 a day x12 days for frozen water got me thinking I am in the wrong business.

$8.00 a bag??????????? holy shit!!!!
 

cheezpanel

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A Coleman Xtreme (various sizes) will be tough to beat for value and performance

26a8d50a-dd59-4b53-b24f-a40f77e4d1f1_1.a9bc3863f5d93afdf06c43e9df3e4235.jpeg
We've had one of these for a long time...still works great. I don't bring it on the boat anymore bc we don't take as much and the soft cooler works great, but this is what we use for all the stuff we bring to and from the river...
 

Bigbore500r

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Thats what got me thinking about new coolers. We did 12 day out at Moabi over Fathers Day and I was going through 3x20lbs @ $8.00 each day- starts adding up fro frozen water.

On a side note each day we would all take turns grabbing ice and everyday each person would grab 20 bags of 20 lbs of ice @ $8.00. $160 a day x12 days for frozen water got me thinking I am in the wrong business.

You did 12 days straight at Moabi ?!?!
 

PlumLoco

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Freeze quart and gallon sized milk cartons before you go. Block ice lasts much longer and you can drink them as they melt. Then refill when needed. Crew always has cold water to drink and you don't buy ice until mid trip.
 

2Driver

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Igloos new line is hands down a killer value. IGLOO IMX line

I got the 70 for $156 shipped and no tax. Held ice at Powell for 7 days. Held cubed at home for the same. Every bit the same performance as the $400 ones

EA345619-5CFD-4693-AF63-6281EDD86FAF.jpeg
 

rrrr

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I have a Coleman 100 qt Xtreme. I think it's about eight years old, and has taken normal abuse with no issues. A 2:1 ratio of ice to food and drinks will keep ice for four or five days if the cooler is in the shade and opening minimized. On long camping trips, I sometimes take a reflective blanket along to cover the coolers..

If I buy a new cooler, it'll be another Xtreme. One big reason is the handle and wheels, plus they're inexpensive. Carrying a cooler full of drinks and ice from the marina parking lot to the boat on Dock Z, Slip 99 is a huge PITA.

I have seen the hype surrounding Yeti coolers. It appears they are the Tesla of the camping world, expensive, good in some aspects, but expensive. Did I mention expensive?

Compared to the only Yeti available with wheels, the 100 qt Coleman is clearly superior. The empty weight is 18 lbs, and the inside dimensions are roughly 24" X 14" X 16", or 3.1 cubic feet. The Coleman is on sale at Walmart.com right now for $49.99. That's the same price as the 70 qt Xtreme on Amazon. I think shipping is free if it's your first purchase from Walmart.com.

The cost of the Yeti Haul is $399.99. Inside dimensions are 19" X 13.5" X 11". That's 1.36 cubic feet, and the empty weight is 38 lbs. It's really small, and really heavy. The inside dimensions are similar to the cardboard Banker's Box file carrier, and it weighs more than twice as much as the Coleman.

Everyone knows that Yeti coolers are expensive, but Jeezus...$400? The good news is that Yeti offers financing for their coolers. No, I'm not making this up. Payments on the Haul are advertised "As low as $36 per month".

I'm curious, how many inmates own a Yeti? Let's have a show of hands.
 

PlanB

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Yeti 105, and it is hands down the best cooler we have owned. Because of their political bullshit, I would probably not purchase another one, but I can't bash the performance.
 

Uncle Dave

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Unless you are storing perishables (fish) and trying to make an unopened cooler last X days it makes little sense to invest in a very large high-end cooler if you are going to be opening and closing it all day - doing that eliminates the efficiency you are paying for.
Im with RRR here -If you are doing this it's really hard to beat the wheeled Coleman or igloo coolers for the money.

I was in havasu for 10 days over fathers -day - it was hotter than hell.
20- 20lb bags a day at 8. a bag x 12 days = 160 a day in ice or 1,920 in ice in total for 12 days.
Thats gas station pricing - check out the "Water and Ice store" in havasu- much better pricing.

If you are employing a hard side camp and softside boat strategy you might as well get a 12/120 volt danfoss compressor unit like an Engel or ARB for that kind of money and you can forget about ice as a cooling medium at base camp - and just use ice for mixing or keeping snacks cool in a soft side.
The 82 Qt version is like 1,400 and will cool to freezing 120 cans of grown up soda.

IMG_3998.jpg
 
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LargeOrangeFont

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Unless you are storing perishables (fish) and trying to make an unopened cooler last X days it makes little sense to invest in a very large high-end cooler if you are going to be opening and closing it all day - doing that eliminates the efficiency you are paying for.
Im with RRR here -If you are doing this it's really hard to beat the wheeled Coleman or igloo coolers for the money.

I was in havasu for 10 days over fathers -day - it was hotter than hell.
20- 20lb bags a day at 8. a bag x 12 days = 160 a day in ice or 1,920 in ice in total for 12 days.
Thats gas station pricing - check out the "Water and Ice store" in havasu- much better pricing.

If you are employing a hard side camp and softside boat strategy you might as well get a 12/120 volt danfoss comressor unit like an Engel or ARB for that kind of money and you can forget about ice as a cooling medium at base camp - and just use ice for mixing or keeping snacks cool in a soft side.
The 82 Qt version is like 1,400 and will cool to freezing 120 cans of grown up soda.

View attachment 770491

UD on point.

We have a 40qt 12v cooler we bring food to Havasu with. It has really worked well, and saved well over its cost in saved money on food.

At Smith’s a 20lb bag is $2.99.

I believe $2.89 for a 20 lb bag at the Water and Ice stores, except the one on Industrial, he might be slightly more. He does the 10LB bags for $1.50.

The rest of them do 7lb bags for .99.
 

CJ_Donahue

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I understand house boat trips and camping but I pull my boat out and reload my cooler ever morning. For me a medium size cooler with wheels a handle and a water plug is the perfect balance. I bought a blue and then a red to match the boat. At $30 each I feel like I can afford to color coordinate.
Screenshot_20190701-174626_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 

Xtrmwakeboarder

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Coleman xtreme and dry ice, block ice, and regular ice combo for us. No way im blowing $400 on a cooler
 

Sleek-Jet

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Jesus... what are you all storing that you need 20 20lbs bags a day !!!

We used to do Powell for week and only went to the marina every other day for a couple 20 pound bags.
 

COCA COLA COWBOY

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The lifetime from Walmart is hard to beat! I have two and most of my buddies have two. They are good sized, made in the USA, hold Ice for 4 days, and only cost $97!

For the soft, I have two 36 quart Titans. They used to sell them at Costco, but I just bought one on eBay. They work really well too! $109.
 

SPFRONTMAN

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A Coleman Xtreme (various sizes) will be tough to beat for value and performance

26a8d50a-dd59-4b53-b24f-a40f77e4d1f1_1.a9bc3863f5d93afdf06c43e9df3e4235.jpeg
I have the smaller 35 Extreme, went to Palm Desert last August, chest sat in the back of the pick up for 3 days under a hard lid and there was ice still keeping the Coors Light Super cans ice cold. You can pick the 35 up at Albertsons for like $30.00 and I just saw the one pictured above at the San Pedro Home Depot for $49.99. It must say EXTREME! I have every Igloo cooler made for the fisherman that supposedly keeps ice forever. Bull shit, all junk for the amount of money they cost.
I have to add, when this chest is full of ice and drinks and becomes really heavy, the handles are only held on with the plastic end caps. I yanked up on it to put in boat, the cap went flyin' the handle came off and that sucker almost got me on the top of the foot from when it was about waist high. That would not have been good. I'm going to get some stainless bolts with nylocks or something to fix that. If you lose that little plastic end cap, that handle is done!
 
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Waffles

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I have an idea on making ice last longer.... Dont dump the existing water!

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Singleton

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I picked up one of AO’s hard sided cooler. Held ice for our entire 14 day camping trip to Yellowstone las5 year. However, we did pre-chill the cooler
 

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King295

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If you are going on extended outings and have access to 12v DC or 120v AC it is hard to beat these...https://www.amazon.com/ARB-10800352...ocphy=9032025&hvtargid=pla-592282023554&psc=1

I have one and cant believe I waited so long. Its so nice to just rotate drinks in as needed. I have just a single battery in my jeep and I will run it for a couple days without even worrying about starting the engine.

$896?! I have a Rubbermaid cooler like that my in-laws gave to me when the moved. Even has flip out storage bins. You got me all excited thinking I had some really expensive cooler to sell. Quick google search says its worth $40... I've never used it and was going to donate it to Goodwill.

Same as this:
bb1c59793f3945f8aadc87610b9a1a2f.jpg
 

WhatExit?

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As smart as you guys are it amazes me how you over-think frigging coolers. Buy a good low-cost cooler like a Coleman Xtreme or other low-cost product. They work.

And look, if you think you're spending too much on ice then why would you ever go with a multi-hundred dollar plastic thick-walled box?! Just buy a 12v fridge/freezer. With one of these you'll never buy ice again EXCEPT for your cocktails:
https://www.amazon.com/Whynter-FM-6...ridge+freezer&qid=1562035391&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Plastic/hard-sided coolers on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=coleman+...916055&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_6oy0h7lw4i_e
 

rrrr

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I have an idea on making ice last longer.... Dont dump the existing water!

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The argument about draining the water started 24 hours after the first cooler made was filled with ice in 1848. :D
 

Meaney77

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Igloos new line is hands down a killer value. IGLOO IMX line

I got the 70 for $156 shipped and no tax. Held ice at Powell for 7 days. Held cubed at home for the same. Every bit the same performance as the $400 ones

View attachment 770444
Where did you find it for that price?
 

Meaney77

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Jesus... what are you all storing that you need 20 20lbs bags a day !!!

We used to do Powell for week and only went to the marina every other day for a couple 20 pound bags.

To be clear, I was only using 3 of the 20 lbs a day and I had my large cooler tucked away in an RV compartment in the shade. By the time you ice down a 30 pack and waters then build boat coolers, it goes quick. My current cooler is a turd but seems like I went through about the same amount of ice as everyone else in my group. Temp was 108 patty much the entire time.
 

Meaney77

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I have an idea on making ice last longer.... Dont dump the existing water!

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I tried that as well and eventually opened up the drain on my cooler to let the water trickle out and it seemed like the ice lasted longer by draining it.
 

G. Faulk

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I have a 110 Yeti that has been an incredible cooler. I use it for most of my mutli day fishing trips and it has never let me down.

I bought an RTIC 110 and used it 1 day and the lid was about to fall off. It was a brand new cooler. RTIC would NOT refund the cooler and told me to kick rocks. F**K RTIC!

Down the road when I need a hard cooler, I really want to try out an Igloo. They look legit and reasonably priced.

https://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Super-...Igloo+Cooler&qid=1562014023&s=gateway&sr=8-15
61COwAUnHSL._SL1500_.jpg
I'm a Yeti fan. I bought this cooler for the hell of it but just lasts years model. best cooler I've owned to keep ice. 2 weekends ago 90* temps kept ice for 3 days. I wasn't opening it every hour but it does very well especially with its price point.
 

HitIt

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By the time you ice down a 30 pack and waters then build boat coolers, it goes quick.

You can buy the most expensive ice chest on earth and it isn't going to help with that. You pretty much have two options. Keep melting ice (block ice helps a lot) or get something that uses some power to cool your stuff. I mean, don't get the shittiest cooler you can buy, but I wouldn't spend over $100 either. The stupid expensive coolers do what they do well for a very small percentage of the applications (very long trips, cooler closed most of the time, cooler pre-chilled before you use it, etc.) but for 99% of the way most people use an ice chest, they are a waste of money. And f'n heavy to lug around.
 

SJP

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Here is a couple of things that work for me.

1. Yeti 65 Coolers - I have three - they are bullet proof. Never have had a failure in 6 years. I use to buy and rebuild coolers IGLOO Marine all of the time.
2. I precool all drinks in refrigerator this helps a lot.
3. Cooler shock ice packs reusable. Mix with ice.
4. The 65 is the right size if you have to solo carry you can still do. I can barely do this full. Some of you guys may opt for the up tick but I cannot swing them overhead full past the 65.
5. Get a smaller soft sides for when you are making small party excursions.
6. I use these coolers multiple times a week.
 

2Driver

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Where did you find it for that price?

Campsaver.com. They had a 20% off coupon for any ome item and free shipping. They are always running deals. I suspect they will have 4th deals
 

Flying_Lavey

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Unless you are storing perishables (fish) and trying to make an unopened cooler last X days it makes little sense to invest in a very large high-end cooler if you are going to be opening and closing it all day - doing that eliminates the efficiency you are paying for.
Im with RRR here -If you are doing this it's really hard to beat the wheeled Coleman or igloo coolers for the money.

I was in havasu for 10 days over fathers -day - it was hotter than hell.
20- 20lb bags a day at 8. a bag x 12 days = 160 a day in ice or 1,920 in ice in total for 12 days.
Thats gas station pricing - check out the "Water and Ice store" in havasu- much better pricing.

If you are employing a hard side camp and softside boat strategy you might as well get a 12/120 volt danfoss compressor unit like an Engel or ARB for that kind of money and you can forget about ice as a cooling medium at base camp - and just use ice for mixing or keeping snacks cool in a soft side.
The 82 Qt version is like 1,400 and will cool to freezing 120 cans of grown up soda.

View attachment 770491
What kind of ambient temps are those 12 volt cooler's rated at? All the ones I've seen are only rated for about a 30 degree differential, let alone an 60+ differential (40 degree ice chest and 100 degree ambient).

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PlanB

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I tried that as well and eventually opened up the drain on my cooler to let the water trickle out and it seemed like the ice lasted longer by draining it.

Water is a better insulator than air, you just have to keep it cold.
 

PlanB

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What kind of ambient temps are those 12 volt cooler's rated at? All the ones I've seen are only rated for about a 30 degree differential, let alone an 60+ differential (40 degree ice chest and 100 degree ambient).

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

This is why I took the fridge out of our first toon. It never got cold enough in the summer.
 

alohajeff

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What kind of ambient temps are those 12 volt cooler's rated at? All the ones I've seen are only rated for about a 30 degree differential, let alone an 60+ differential (40 degree ice chest and 100 degree ambient).

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

We've got a Dometic CFX Fridge/Freeze and it has kept ice cream rock solid during a few Lake Mead trips in 100+ temps. It's under the bow so it's out of direct sunlight but it's still hot as F under there during the day. Having ice cream in 100+ heat makes me happy. It also keeps ice properly frozen for cocktails. No more dirty / watery cooler ice in my White Russians! The fat from the Half & Half actually sticks to the cubes like it's supposed to! ;)

Aloha
 

Uncle Dave

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What kind of ambient temps are those 12 volt cooler's rated at? All the ones I've seen are only rated for about a 30 degree differential, let alone an 60+ differential (40 degree ice chest and 100 degree ambient).

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

Good question - I've seen it hold 28F with ease even after multiple openings in 100+ degree weather inside my truck keeping ice cream and other goods truly frozen- It goes down to 0F.

From what /I learned you got 2 basic types of "12 volt" coolers.

12 volt peltier element deals that typically dont perform very well and can only create and hold a small delta

- and then you have your danfoss/ swing compressor type deals that also run on 12 or 120 with true freezing performance at 100+ ambient

This thing has become my defect patio beer fridge/ main fridge overcapacity for and has run nonstop for a few years now- goes in the motorhome and just fits inside the slide.

IF you are a hardcore weekender that goes to really hot places (like Havasu on fathers day) for days at a time Its a great little luxury item.
You can run it off a car battery for days

The "cost of ice" isn't just the ice - its going to get the shit, then managing its volume amongst a bunch of smaller cooler , then keeping everything you want dry from getting wet. During fathers day weekend /week we starting talking about a small group going in on a hoshizaki so we wouldn't have to make so many ice trips.

Waiting for the 5 dollar a bag Ice guy at glamis is hit or miss - " Fresh ice:" - "Ice cold ice" - gee I hope your ice is "ice cold" dude...

IF you want to try it some time just let me know.

UD
 
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77charger

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Good question

Waiting for the 5 dollar a bag Ice guy at glamis is hit or miss - " Fresh ice:" - "Ice cold ice" - gee I hope your ice is "ice cold" dude...

IF you want to try it some time just let me know.

UD
5 dollar ice guy in glamis where the hell you find that guy.
 

Waffles

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I tried that as well and eventually opened up the drain on my cooler to let the water trickle out and it seemed like the ice lasted longer by draining it.
From a thermodynamics standpoint, it's actually the opposite. Even igloo agrees with this.

Air's specific heat is 1.007 J/(gK) - Joules is energy, gram is mass and K is degrees Kelvin. Water's specific heat is 4.18 J/(gK) - so for a fixed amount of Joules added, water goes up less than 1/4 a degree in temperature compared to a gram of air. If water and air were equally dense (they are not) then you have a 4 to 1 advantage. Water takes four times as long to warm up as air, so your beer stays cooler longer.
IMG_20190702_065500.jpg


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