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Best Red Dot Sight Under $100, $200, $300 – Budget Reviews

“What is the best red dot under $100 you can recommend to me?”

I’ve encountered this question on several hunters’ forums…but I didn’t give it much thought until one of my readers reached out to me with the same issue.

So, I thought of doing some research to see if it’s actually possible to get a great red scope with such a tight budget.

Interestingly, I was able to gather up to 21 red dots costing under 100 bucks in a short time.

Now, the next challenging step was to separate the wheat from the chaff.

After spending hours analyzing the sights against each other and looking at what the previous users had to say about them, I was able to select up to10 top products.

Believe you me; I found these top 10 products to carry the same features/functions I’ve seen in the high-end models.

In the below post, we’ll discuss these budget-friendly products with you to help you make an informed decision on which one to buy.

Let’s get into the details…

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Is it Possible To Get A Good Red Dot Sight Under Budget?

Some hunters wonder if it’s even possible to get a red dot scope under a tight budget.

I also had a skeptic mind about getting a truly functional model at a low cost, but this changed the moment I entered the market to look for low-cost sights with good functionality.

So, my answer to the above questions is YES!

One thing you need to know, however, is that most of the models below $100, $200, $300 don’t come with all the bells and whistles you might have witnessed in the higher-end models.

Nevertheless, you can rest assured that they’ll give you reliable performance for a longer period of time.

With that in mind, we can move on to our list of the 10 most popular red dots that come at an affordable cost.

Best Red Dot Sights Under $100-300 Budget:

1. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope

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For the last 50 years, Bushnell has been on the front line producing highest-performance, best quality, and most affordable optics. The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is one such product from the reputable company, designed to give you a whole new hunting experience.

The primary advantage of using this optic is super-fast target acquisition. It comes engineered with amber light optics which helps you easily and quickly distinguish ‘brow critter from a brown tree.’ Since it comes with a multi-coated lens, you’ll have no problems seeing your target even in low light conditions.

Thanks to unlimited eye relief, you can use this sight with your both eyes wide open. This will not only increase your situational awareness but will contribute to faster target acquisition.

On top of it all, the sight comes designed for use in all hunting conditions. It has 100% waterproof and fogproof construction that means you can use it in the extreme weather conditions without affecting its performance in any way. Not to forget it also features a shockproof design to hold up to rough usage and accidental drops for a longer period.

Highlighted features:

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    Multi-coated optics
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    Amber-light, high contrast lens coating
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    3 MOA red dot
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    Powered by one CR2032 battery
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    100% fogproof/waterproof/shockproof
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    Unlimited eye relief

2. CVLIFE 1X22X33 Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sight

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Even with an insanely low price, the CVLIFE 1X22X33 Red Green Dot Gun Sight will stage an exceptional performance that will humiliate all your fellow hunters or shooters at the range.

Labeled as one of the most popular reflex sights available today, this red dot features a durable high-grade aluminum alloy construction. Apart from making it last for a longer period of time, this material makes the sight incredibly lightweight, such that you can post it to your rifle without noticing any significant weight changes.

Because it comes with 4 reticle patterns, this sight will also offer you unlimited eye relief so that you’ll always be fully aware of your hunting environment while enjoying faster target acquisition.

The fully adjustable elevation and windage make it easy for you to obtain a perfect alignment with the red dot without necessarily adjusting the actual zero. With the included Allen Wrench, adjusting the elevation/windage becomes super-easy! The red dot also boasts of anti-glare reflective coated lens which translates to excellent optic quality/clarity.

Highlighted features:

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    3 MOA- red and green illuminated
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    Unlimited eye relief
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    Easy windage and elevation adjustments
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    High-grade aluminum alloy construction
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    Uses 2 CR2032 Battery

3. Feyachi Reflex Sight

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Feyachi Reflex Sight is probably the most affordable sight you’ll ever get, not just on this list but in the entire market. But something that will surprise you more about this sight is the impressive features it’ll provide you with at such a low price tag.

First, owning this reflex equates to having 4 different sights in a single sight. In simpler words, it offers you as many as 4 reticle styles to pick from—namely Crosshair/Circle/Dot, Crosshair/Dot, and Dot, Circle/Dot combinations.  Doubtlessly, this is one of the most versatile optics you can get with a budget.

The optic also features a 33mm sighting system which delivers faster target acquisition, plus its open design means you’ll stay fully aware of your surroundings.

You can easily adjust the dot system for red or green as well as the 4 reticle styles we’ve just mentioned above. The rail mounting system securely and easily mounts to your rifle/shotgun and will last a lifetime.

This reflex sight also comes with durable, lightweight construction. And it’s 100% waterproof and fogproof for maximum reliability in all hunting conditions and environments.

Highlighted features:

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    4 different reticle styles
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    3mm lens deliver quick target acquisition
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    Wider field of view helps maintain situational awareness
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    Sturdy & secure rail mounting system
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    Unlimited eye relief and parallax corrected
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    Waterproof, shockproof, and ultra-light
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    Powered by 1 3V lithium battery

4. Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight

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Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm is the best red dot under 150 for anyone who has extra bucks to spend on top of $100. You don’t have to doubt the quality or reliability of this sight given its made in the USA by Sig Sauer, a top-rated manufacturer of handguns, gun optics, and accessories.

One of the most amazing things about this red dot is its variable brightness setting. It gives you up to 10 illumination settings so that you can set the dot brightness to a level that matches your shooting conditions.

Using this sight will also give you a feel of the MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) technology. This is a truly unique technology that powers up/down by sensing motion. Needless to mention, this technology will enhance your sight battery life and ensure safer operation.

Similar to the high-end models, this budget Sig Sauer red dot sight has a dependable fogproof and waterproof performance. The included accessories (co-witness 1.41” riser mount and M1913 Picatinny low mount riser) make the optic more convenient to use.

Highlighted features:

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    Made in the USA
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    2 MOA red dots w/up to 10 illumination settings
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    MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) technology
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    Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface
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    Waterproof and fogproof performance

5. Ohuhu Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sight

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Ohuhu Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sight comes with a tubeless design works perfectly well with intermediate rifle calibers such as ar15. It is pretty compact and allows you to easily engage moving targets at close or medium ranges.

It features a 33mm lens that gives you a wide field of view.

Like our previously discussed sight, this model can also use up to 4 reticle styles, and either green or red for each reticle. The reticle styles include circle and dot, a crosshair, circle with the dot at center, simplistic red dot, and stadia on all the 4 sides.

This red dot also features a built-in mount that works perfectly well with all standard bases. It boasts of unlimited eye relief for more comfortable shooting.

Above all, the sight is waterproof and fogproof for use in all weather conditions. And it comes with an extremely lightweight design to ensure it doesn’t add any bulkiness to your rifle.

Highlighted features:

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    Wider field of view
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    Multi-reticle or variable dot included
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    Built-in mount for use with standard bases
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    Unlimited eye relief, parallax corrected
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    Ultra-light, shockproof, and waterproof design
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    Uses 1 3v lithium battery

6. Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight

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Looking for the best red dot sight under 200? Here you go… Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight is priced slightly above $100 but stays below $200. And it’s an excellent example of ultra-light, super-compact, insanely fast-on-target red dot designed for close range as well as general shooting.

The number one benefit you’ll gain from using this sight revolves around a fantastic 2 MOA red dot that ensures easy target acquisition for daylight hunting. Besides, it provides you with up to 11 intensity brightness levels to let you adjust the dot to match any hunting situation—including the low light conditions.

Similar to the top-end models, this red dot comes with fully multi-coated optics which facilitates optimal light transmission in low light situations.

This vortex also comes with a  skeletonized mounting which offers you up to 2 height options, making it easy to use with a wide range of firearms, including rifles, pistols, and shotguns.

Other features worth a mention include unlimited eye relief, durable aluminum body, and a shockproof/fogproof/waterproof construction.

Highlighted features:

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    2 MOA red dot (daylight bright)
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    11 levels of brightness
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    Skeletonized mount with 2 height options
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    Fully multi-coated optics
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    Shockproof aluminum body
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    Waterproof and fogproof performance

7. OTW Red Dot Sight, 1x20mm 4 MOA Red Green Dot Sight

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Going on with our list of the best red dot sight under 100 reviews, we have the OTW Red Dot Sight. This particular red/ green dot has dual red and green illumination, with each dot having up to 5 brightness settings. By adjusting the dot brightness level, you can easily hunt in different shooting conditions with this sight.

The red dot also comes designed with the Two-eye Open sighting mechanism. This goes a long way in enhancing the target acquisition speed while massively improving your situational awareness.

When it comes to mounting, this red/green dot sight fits the 20mm Picatinny/Weaver rail, making it ideal for use with a wide variety of weapons. If your firearm doesn’t have this base, you can have it installed by your local dealer or gunsmith.

Being a parallax-free sight, the dot will remain fixed on the target you wish to shoot, eliminating the need for you to center it. The unlimited eye relief enhances situational awareness and makes shooting more comfortable.

Even with a low price, the manufacturer of this product manages to offer you a 6-month warranty to facilitate good customer experience of their product. So, in case of any issue with your OTW Red Dot Sight, feel free to contact them for assistance.

Highlighted features:

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    Up to 5 brightness levels
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    Excellent durability
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    Parallax-free red dot
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    Fits 20mm Weaver/Picatinny rail
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    6-month warranty

8. SVESELL Tactical Red Dot Sight | Green Dot Rifle Optic Reflex Sight Scope

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If you’re on the market for the best reflex sight under 100, then the SVESELL Tactical Red Dot Sight is a sure bet. It also gives you both red and green illuminations, each with up to 5 different brightness settings to help you set the dot brightness to match your hunting conditions.

The red dot also features a durable construction of high-quality aluminum alloy for maximum longevity. The fact that the material is light makes this optic feel light on your weapon, unlike some models which end up adding unnecessary bulkiness to shooters’ rifles.

It features a 4 MOA dot that delivers unmatched performance for both short and medium range shooting situations. Combine this with the wide field of view and crystal clear lens, and you’ll have an easy time acquiring your targets.

Mounting this red dot has also been made easy with the included cantilever mount. For those who don’t know, this mount easily fits for the 20mm rail and allows absolute co-witness with a fixed or flip up iron sights and even the standard height AR sights.

As a tactical red dot sight, this model will work well with all hunting and tactical rifles like Remington, Winchester, Colt, and so on.

Extra items include a spare battery, install too, lens cleaner, and a durable protective flip-up lens cover.

Highlighted features:

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    Mounts quickly and securely
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    Red and green dot sight
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    Waterproof and fogproof design
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    Durable and lightweight design
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    100% satisfaction guarantee

9. Pinty 4 MOA Red Green Dot Tactical Reflex Sight

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Pinty 4 MOA Red Green Dot Tactical Reflex Sight also presents you with a dual illuminated dot for enhanced vision and accurate shooting at both day and night. Each dot had adjustable brightness for enhanced shooting even in low light conditions.

The tactical reflex has a 30mm coated lens for easy target acquisition in various light conditions.

Installing the sight on a wide range of guns is possible with this sight as it comes with the Cantilever PEPR mount that fits all the 20mm Picatinny or weaver rails. Moreover, it features a quick rail attachment design for faster easier and quick attachment to your gun.

Hunters also love this red dot due to its precise windage and elevation adjustments. This facilitates perfect sight alignment without the hassle of adjusting the actual zero.

Since it features full metal construction, this sight will withstand rough usage and see you through countless hunting trips. It is also waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for even better dependability in various hunting situations.

Highlighted features:

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    Full metal construction
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    Precise windage/elevation adjustments
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    Cantilever PEPR mount
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    Quick rail attachment design
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    Red/green dual-illuminated dot
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    Adjustable dot brightness
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    Removable lens cover

10. Amasen Rifle Scope 1x30mm Red Dot Sight

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Amasen Rifle Scope 1x30mm Red Dot Sight is the last best red dot under 100 I wanna recommend to any shooter or hunter on a tight budget. Like all the other sights we’ve covered in this list, this red dot also features a durable construction of black anodized aluminum construction for maximum longevity and reliability.

It provides you with up to 5 brightness settings for both red and green dots. This makes it easy for you to adjust the dot brightness for easy visibility in the specific conditions you’re hunting in.

The optic also offers you unlimited eye relief. This means you can position your head anywhere and you can keep both eyes open when shooting. The end result is increased awareness of your sounding and more comfortable shooting.

Since it also comes with multi-coated lens coating, it ensures maximum light transmission for brighter and crisper images.

Additional features include detectable weaver rail mount with 11mm & 20mm dual attachment mode, windage/elevation adjustment screws, a 60@ 100yds field of view.

Above all, it’s backed with 6-month warranty for service and quality guarantee; you’ll get a 100% refund for any problems related to product quality.

Highlighted features:

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    Detachable weaver rail mount
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    Five brightness settings
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    Dual red and green dot mode
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    Unlimited eye relief
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    Black anodized aluminum construction
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    Windage/elevation adjustment screws
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    6-month warranty

What Should You Know Before You Buy?

When shopping for a budget red dot, always keep in mind that NOT all low-cost optics will meet your expectations. Some of them are cheaply designed and will be a hell of a disappointment to you.

That’s why I’ve prepared the following guide to show you what to look for in a red dot to ensure you invest your cash into a quality, reliable product.

>Construction quality: make sure your scope is made of durable materials that can withstand tough usage for an extended period of time. Also, ensure the optic is lightweight (especially if you’re a hunter) for easy carry.

>Battery life: Getting a sight with decent battery life will make your hunting life much easier. You don’t want to buy a sight whose battery gets depleted in between your hunting trips, prompting you to end your day’s business or stop to change the battery.

>Size of the dot: you’ll come across different sites indicating their MOA (minute of angle) value. This refers to as the size of the dot, which you should also consider when making a selection. The average MOA value for most sights is around 4.  You can also find models with MOA of up to 60. I advise you to go with not too big and not too small MOA if you want to get the best view of your target.

>Variable brightness: I’m assuming that sometimes you might need to use your red dot in low light conditions as a hunter. Therefore, make sure the sight you invest in also comes with variable brightness settings to help you set the perfect brightness level for use at night or in low lit situations.

>Fog/waterproof design: You might also find yourself hunting in extreme weather conditions. Since different weather conditions can hurt your sight performance, you should ensure your scope also features a waterproof and fogproof design.

Additional factors:

  • A warranty will act as a good indicator of the trust the manufacturer has in their product reliability and performance
  • Consider getting a red dot that mounts and gets detached in seconds, without using any tools
  • An auto shutoff feature in a red dot will help you preserve your battery power, thus explained its life

Reflex Sight vs Red Dot: Explained

If you always get confused whenever the terms reflex sight and red dot are mentioned, the following description will give you a clear understanding of how the two optics relate to each other and what you can use them for.

First…you should understand the term red dot sight doesn’t refer to any specific sight. Instead, it’s a general term describing all the gun optics that employs a red dot as the aiming point.

With that in mind, the red dot sights can be divided into 3 main groups—Reflex, Prism, and Holographic sights.

Let’s familiarize ourselves with each sight:

(i). Reflex Sight: a reflex sight uses a lens onto which the aiming point is projected. It then reflects it back to allow you to see a red dot. This type of sight lacks an eye relief, meaning you can position your head anywhere and you can keep both eyes open when shooting. The sight is also cheaper than prism sight (below), and some models even come with a battery-free operation.

(ii). Prism Sight: a reflex light has a short tube-style appearance and uses a prism (not lens) to let you see the target image. Unlike the reflex, most prism models come with some magnification and allow for etched or illuminated reticles. Unfortunately, they offer you a lower eye relief, meaning you’ll have to put your eyes close to it to obtain a better sight image.

(iii). Holographic Sight: these are less common than the reflex and prism models, and utilize a picture of reticle that’s between glass layers. The sight comes with a rectangular field of view and extremely small aiming reticle for the ultimate precision and accuracy. The sight also allows you to keep both eyes open when aiming at an object. However, these sights are highly expensive compared to the other types.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Where should I place my new red dot on my AR15?

For the best results, experts recommend placing your sight in the forward portion of your rifle upper receiver (considered the most secure part of your rifle). This will create a perfect distance for the best field of view and makes your sight easy to focus whenever you ready your weapon.

2. How do I zero my red dot sight?

Setting the zero is an essential step when using your red dot sight to ensure you get an accurate lineup and increased shooting accuracy.

TO ensure you properly zero your red dot, follow the steps below:

  • Set up a target around 25meters (82’) away
  • With your weapon in solid rest, center your sight dot on the target
  • Fire a shot and examine the point of impact
  • Now adjust your sight based on the direction of the bullet from the center of the target
  • Shoot another round to help determine the accuracy; repeat until your target gets hit at the center

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly red dot sight under $300 / $200 / $100 that gives you all the benefits associated with a red dot, the 10 products we’ve just discussed in this post will not disappoint you.

When looking for a red dot sight with an affordable cost, it’s always important to ensure the model is built with exceptional quality standards and has features that will meet your shooting needs and requirements.

If not careful, you might fall victim to junk scopes that perform horribly!

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 1 comments
John - November 28, 2018

FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR SUCH A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT RED DOT SIGHTS. IT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR A BEGINNER LIKE ME. AFTER READING YOUR ARTICLE, I HAVE DECIDED TO PICK THE BUSHNELL TRS25 MOA FROM YOUR LIST. WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT MY CHOICE?

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