1200VA - 6 x Power 3-pole - MPN: F6C120UNV
Strengths: Low price, high capacity, decent software, good reliability.
Weakness: Heavy, unlike a few modern (and very expensive) non-lead-acid designs; uses battery for under/overvolt situations (some more expensive UPS units can compensate without drawing on the battery).
While looking for a smaller UPS to back up my video equipment, I noticed this product in the list, and decided to write a review.
There's simply no beating the price/capacity of this unit. I have Pentium II, Pentium III, and Athlon systems connected, along with a 19" monitor, ethernet switch, and DSL modem. That brings it to ~63% capacity, and while I've not tested it to the limits, I've had the UPS supply power under this load for at least 10 minutes during a power outage.
There's no sign of the battery going bad after over two years of usage, and I have no qualms about the fact that the battery isn't replaceable, given the very low price of replacing the entire unit (which is comparable to the price of replacing the battery in other UPS products).
I'll also comment about the button delay issue - you're not supposed to use your UPS as a power switch. Having a button that doesn't immediately shut down the power supply when pressed is a *GOOD* thing, because it's all too easy to accidentally kick, bump, etc. a power switch. A UPS is supposed to protect you from data loss due to power loss, not make it easy for you to induce an outage yourself.
Provided Belkin continues to maintain the quality standards that went into mine, I definitely recommend this UPS.
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TopStrengths: Price Performance Software
Weakness: Battery Replacement
I've had this UPS for a year and I am very pleased with the performance. The software is high quality and offers easy unattended system shutdown.
Let me address some common complaints:
1. battery replacement: yes, you can't replace the battery in this UPS. But consider this...replacement of an APC BackUPS-Pro 1000VA UPS is going to cost around $115 shipped. The cost of this Belkin UPS is around $115 shipped...so wouldn't you rather own a NEW UPS every couple of years instead of replacing batteries on your OLD UPS?
2. power button delayed off feature: I don't understand why anyone would use the UPS to turn off their computer. That's why a PC has an on/off switch! Simply keep the UPS turned on all the time 24/7 and power on/off whatever you have connected to the UPS, don't power down the UPS each and every time! The delayed off/on feature is designed to keep clumsy people from accidently hitting the off switch on the UPS and shutting down their system.
3. Quality: I have found the Belkin UPS to be more reliable than competitors with better software and better overall design. I have owned APC UPS's in the past and I recommend Belkin hands-down.
Bottom line: don't let the price fool you - this UPS has never let me down - I live in the lightning capital of the world and experience blackouts at least once a month or more...and this UPS just keeps on working..don't worry about battery replacement. Just buy another UPS for the same price and be sure to properly dispose of your lead battery to preserve the environment.
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TopStrengths: lighter weight, compact size, long lasting batteries, best software
Weakness: none
I own both Belkin and APC products and have found the Belkin to be superior in almost all respects. The Belkin batteries last an incredibly long time both when the power goes out and the lifetime in general. The Bulldog software is a lifesaver and is not completely handicapped like APC's software is for the price. These units cost 50% less than comparable APC's and perform equally or better (in my case, BETTER!). I used to hold APC with the highest regard and would recommend their products to companies I do computer service for, but not anymore! Belkin has won the UPS war on the quality front, the longevity front, the price front and the convenience front. When I bought my first unit (the 1200VA to replace a $700 APC), I was a little apprehensive at first as the price seemed suspiciously low, but I was on a budget then. After many power interruptions, the Belkin UPS attached computers lasted MUCH longer than the equivalent or larger capacity APCs (SmartUPS & BackUPS) - It may be that Belkin may underrate their units on purpose, but considering their lightweight size, I don't see how!
As far as the buzzing noise the previous reviewer mentions, my experience has been the opposite: very quiet operation and only a faint buzzing when the power goes out and the DC/AC circuit kicks in.
As far as functionality, the Belkin model has a USB port AND an RS-232 port on the back, the APC BACKUPS models do not have a USB port (showing how they haven't even improve their design since the 90's!). The APC units also consume more space and weigh more as well - this does not translate at all into backup longevity.
Buy Belkin, you will be glad you did as you will get a more modern product for a fraction of the cost!
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TopStrengths: Rich Feature Set. 1200VA Battery Rating. 3 Year Warranty.
Weakness: Noticeable Low Frequency Hum. 3 Second On/Off Button.
I have owned the F6C120-UNV for about 6 months. I also own a PK Electronics 1000VA and 500VA. The 500VA is now connected to my TV and VCR. PK Electronics has since gone out of business. While the PK's only have a serial port and probably lower quality software, I prefer them over the Belkin. I have not installed any software which comes with my UPS's. My PK 1000VA will switch on immediately when I need it and it makes no noise at all.
Unfortunately, this is not true with my 1200VA Belkin. I always turn my PC off at night. I never leave it on when I go to bed or leave the house. Whenever I need to turn my PC on or off, I must press the tiny bubble switch for 3 seconds which is a real bother. Every single day, sometimes twice a day, I must press and hold the tiny bubble switch for 3 seconds. When I want to use my PC, I want to switch it on immediately. I don't want to stand there with my finger on the switch. I have a fairly convenient layout for my computer room, with the UPS's on a shelf one level above the floor. Can you imagine how other owners must crawl under their desks to turn these things on? Unlike the PK's, the Belkin's switch is not located on the top front of the unit. The bubble switch can be difficult to find in a darkened area, where both UPS's are indeed located. Sometimes I must use my flashlight to locate the switch.
Unlike both my PK's, the Belkin emits a powerful low frequency hum. This hum can be heard when the PC is off. If you have a smaller computer room where you also do your studying, watch TV or movies, you will hear this hum. When I am at my desk, the Belkin is less than 3½ feet from me. Even when I am 4½ feet away watching TV or a movie, I can clearly hear this hum.
Replacing the two batteries for the Belkin F6C120-UNV is not easy. You must take the entire unit apart to remove them. In fact, I could find no information on battery removal in the instructions or Belkin's website. Most other UPS makers will give you instructions on battery replacement. Belkin seems to purposely make it a mystery.
As I mentioned before, I have never installed UPS software. I have read online reviews regarding Belkin's "Bulldog Plus" software. I am sure it is very good. However, I simply don't need it. For completeness, I will mention the other features the Belkin has. The Belkin has 2 RJ11/RJ45 and 2 surge-only outlets, 4 battery backup/surge outlets, and both USB and serial interface ports for use with their software. The Belkin has a 3 year parts and labor warranty. The F6C120-UNV includes a $500K connected equipment warranty and a "data recovery warranty", although I am skeptical they have ever paid out $500K. Finally, as with most other UPS's, the Belkin includes automatic voltage regulation (AVR). Essentially, AVR smooths out the voltage from your house to your PC, maintaining an average of 110-120 volts while eliminating spikes above 120 volts and dropouts below 110 volts. Belkin claims the F6C120-UNV can provide "up to 100 minutes backup time." I'm sure this is true, if you merely connected a 10 watt bulb to it. A more realistic figure would be 10 to 20 minutes for a standard tower system.
If you need an inexpensive, feature-rich UPS, the Belkin F6C120-UNV will suit your needs. However, if you do a lot of studying and are particular about your environment, don't buy this UPS. Moreover, if you want an "instant on" system, this UPS is not for you. I doubt I will buy any more Belkin UPS's. My next UPS will be the APC XS 1500VA. The APC has all the features the Belkin has and more. The APC is an "instant on" UPS and the button is conveniently located at the top front. The APC battery is easy to replace, simply by sliding the bottom front down, unplugging the battery, and pulling it out. The APC is a more expensive UPS than the Belkin so you might want to wait until APC has another rebate program for it. I believe the APC also uses a more expensive battery.
Based on features and price, I give the Belkin F6C120-UNV a marginal pass.
Sincerely,
Daniel L. Martinez
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Topreiterating several comments made prior: WHY would you use any UPS as the on/off switch!? Doesn't that mean you're 'ripping the carpet out from under the pc' while it's still running whatever operating system you use!?Just leave it on and use the shutdown (or on/off button if you MUST) of the pc...
Also, at least half of the purpose for having a UPS is the power-management software that comes with it. Bulldog is easy to set up and -- imagine this -- actually allows the UPS to do a soft shutdown of your pc, closing any open apps, instead of ripping the carpet out from under it, which is also what happens when you're not home and the power goes off without the software loaded! No, I DON'T work for Belkin, but I get a little put off when people trash products for completely invalid reasons. :)
Strengths: price
Weakness: performance
loud humming noise, battery doesnt last even a year, no replacement battery available, physical access to battery requires complete disassembly of UPS, no warranty on btry without receipt less than 1 yr old.
Do not recommend... complete waste of money. This is a use once disposable throw away type UPS. At 1000+ VA UPS units you should be looking for battery replacement options.
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TopStrengths: Inexpensive for such power capacity.
Weakness: Quality issues??? Dead after ~12months of operation. No product support. Cannot replace battery. Only supplies a few minutes of backup time.
This unit was providing backup for a watercooled P4 overclocked to 3.5Ghz with 6HDs, 2x19" LCDs, multimedia system, deskjet printer and some other small incidental devices. The UPS does not supply more than a few minutes of backup.
I just returned from 3weeks of vacation and the UPS is now dead??? I had turned off all my devices and only left my UPS on. My two other PK UPS seem ok. For some reason the Belkin failed.
Maybe I had a bad UPS but I'm a little leary of the Belkin product now.
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Topthis ups is great i got it three years ago for under $150. got a real deal. It has worked flawlessly for the past three years until about a week ago. the batteries where finally dead. i googled the model for replacement batteries and found that belkin doesnt offer or recommend battery replacement. they recommend shelling out $400 for an equivalent replacement. Imagine that. I then found the cheapest distributor of a replacement battery, needless to say not belkin. got the batteries in 3 days. I opened the ups put new batteries in and the ups has worked fine for the past two days. i ran several tests to make sure. the batteries were only $60 and that was with free shipping. to say that the batteries cant be replaced is just plain wrong. dont fear the phillips head screw driver it wont bite i promise. i know i sound like a advertisement but this is true story. i felt i had to post after reading the inaccurate claims in some of the other posts.
Strengths: original batteries lasted three years replacement batteries were cheap compared to other models
Weakness: it dont make coffee lol
this ups is great i got it three years ago for under $150. got a real deal. It has worked flawlessly for the past three years until about a week ago. the batteries where finally dead. i googled the model for replacement batteries and found that belkin doesnt offer or recommend battery replacement. they recommend shelling out $400 for an equivalent replacement. Imagine that. I then found the cheapest distributor of a replacement battery, needless to say not belkin. got the batteries in 3 days. I opened the ups put new batteries in and the ups has worked fine for the past two days. i ran several tests to make sure. the batteries were only $60 and that was with free shipping. to say that the batteries cant be replaced is just plain wrong. dont fear the phillips head screw driver it wont bite i promise. i know i sound like a advertisement but this is true story. i felt i had to post after reading the inaccurate claims in some of the other posts. three years is way longer than i expected it to last. for two months in the past year i received inconsistent utitlity power. one of the 120 leads from my power pole was fatally corroded. it took two months to track the problem down. anyway the ups handled the serious power issue with no problems while the other five ups's i own whined and died on a daily basis.
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TopThanks for your comments; where did you purchase your batteries? I've been using my Belkin for over 3 years and just now the batteries went dead, just turned it off when I moved and it won't come back on so I assume batteries.
Belkin Universal UPS 1200VA
Strengths: 670watts, software, USB and serial connections, automatic voltage regulator, looks respectable, 5 second on/off button
Weakness: N/A
This UPS is very powerful, I have my gaming rig hooked up to it and a flat panel monitor and the load meter on the software only reads 30%. The gaming rig has an overclocked geforce fx 5900, an overclocked Athlon xp 2600 to 3200, two hard drives, and a cold cathode so you know it eats up the power. It doesn't make any noise when in normal mode but when it switches to battery it makes a slightly noticeable hum like a florescent light; this is not a big deal because it only makes the noise during a power failure. I really like the software which has a plethora of settings and meters such as voltage in and out, frequency in and out, load, and battery voltage. It also has a history function so you can know exactly what went wrong when you were away. The reason why you have to hold the on/off button for 5 seconds is because you mite bump the button and turn off your system by accident.
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