Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)UPDATE: APRIL 20, 2010
APC online customer service was very receptive of my issue. I described the problem in detail and a new battery was sent out to me in a week. The replacement battery solved the issue - no more flashing battery icon and no more hissing sound. The replacement battery is a different brand from what was originally installed - both slapped with an APC sticker. I don't know if this new battery brand will help lengthen the life beyond three years of the unit itself. I'm glad the issue was addressed under warranty in a very speedy manner.
Taking into consideration my experience with three APC Back-UPS in over a decade. I would advise buying with caution and consider that if the price is right - cost versus usable years - then that's the decision only you can make.
As for myself, having used APC products while living in three countries from Asia to North America. I've experienced 3 usable years of the product whether it's the battery breaking down or the unit itself.
In any case, I will update this review if and when the unit gives up it's life down the road.
UPDATE: APRIL 4, 2010 (almost three years later...)
Well, as luck would have it and as I have expected from an APC product the replace battery icon has lately been flashing and there is a faint hissing sound. This means it's telling me that the rechargeable battery is reaching the end of it's life which has been one month shy of three years. The manual states the battery may last from 3-6 years. While the product information on the battery itself from the same manufacturer website says the replacement battery will last from 3-5 years.
Living in a major urban downtown city, I haven't experienced any major power outage or incident that could cause the battery life to fall short shy of three years (the minimum life of the battery). I have contacted APC support and will update status if this is covered at all under their warranty.
ORIGINAL POSTED REVIEW: MAY 20, 2007
First a review on pricing...
There are two models - BR1500LCD (Back UPS RS 1500) and BX1500LCD (Back UPS XS 1500).The difference:
1. RS model has additional phone/fax/model/10/100base-T ethernet protection.The XS only has phone/fax/modem protection.
2. Auto Voltage Regulation is capable of BOOST (due from low voltage) and TRIM (from over voltage).Again, the XS model only has BOOST, and no TRIM feature.
The price difference between the two is USD50.00.So depending on whether you need the extra feature as well as the area on where you live to depend on the TRIM function, the better equipped model may be for you.Aside from the above they are the same in the rest of the features, battery and physical dimension.
In any case, if you plan to purchase the more expensive RS model, then Amazon is your best option - lowest price with free shipping and zero tax.
So on to the product review...
I actually owned the white APC Back-UPS XS 1500 in 2002.It was doing it's job for a good 4 years.I purchased it because it was offered on sale by a retail store.Four years later it suddenly gave up just like that.I thought the battery was dead so I ordered new batteries.In less than a day the unit went dead again.I then sent it in to a recognized APC repair shop with the new batteries I purchased and they diagnosed that the circuit board is busted.That's the reason why it was shutting down.It wasn't able to charge the battery.So it wasn't the battery that was the problem in the first place, but the circuitry of the unit itself.I threw a perfectly good battery and spent on a new one I didn't need.They said it was beyond repair as APC was not supplying those boards anymore and suggested I purchase a new unit.
In the meantime, APC's trade-up program is a joke.You are supposed to get a discount for turning in your old UPS and buying a new one from them.But the truth is they sell their units at full retail price in the first place so any discount they give you negates it and even turns out more expensive than buying online or at retail stores.
I swore off purchasing APC UPS after incurring so much expense and ending up with a note that there was no hope for a repair support for it after the warranty.This is the problem with APC and one which I told them numerous times that they offer too many product variations for the same line.New products are introduced in a year that they stop support for replacement parts on the old products.
I saw this new BLACK XS1500 with an LCD display at a brick and mortar store initially for USD199.99.For USD20.00, you're better off at Amazon for the better RS model.
Then just before the Memorial Day weekend they put it on sale at USD144.99.That's a no-brainer USD55.00 in savings for the low end model.On top of that, I would have to spend even more to get the RS model.I couldn't resist and purchased two of the XS models that day.
(NOTE: May 27 - The price is now back up to USD199.99 so it's not worth purchasing the XS model.Amazon's RS model is your best option at this point.)
The manual suggests charging the unit for 16 hours straight prior to use.It comes with the connectors disabled so the batteries remain fresh when purchased.Unlike the white version, this product is more compact due to it's smaller height being 6 inches less.Although it is 1.85 inches wider.It is also 5lbs heavier perhaps due to the new battery model.
Specs:
1. 865 Watts / 1500 VA (same as white)
2. 6 battery back up outlets and 2 surge outlets (same as white)
3. Surge energy rating is 340 Joules (white version is 420 Joules)
*The above specs I got directly from APC website.
The white version only needs 8 hours recharge time versus the black's 16 hours.However, unlike the white version, this black version comes with an LCD which makes it very convenient and informative.How?
1. It will tell you input voltage of the outlet.Now you'll know if there's something wrong with the supplied current.
2. It will tell you the output voltage it is giving to your equipment.
3. You are given the actual load in Watts as well as percentage and a bar graph to help you determine how much more you can connect.No more guessing how much your computer is taxing the UPS.
4. The most convenient of all features is the bar graph showing how much battery life is left.Manual states you can expect to replace battery within 3-6 years.Umm, okay.This time it will tell you how much battery life is left.A real life saver to help you determine if the battery is being charged properly and when it's time to start saving for that ubber expensive APC battery replacement part.
You have a choice of having the display shut off for stealth mode.In fact it comes with this feature enabled from the factory.I changed the setting to show me the real-time display of my computer load so I know how hard my processor is working.
By the way, I'm using an Apple Power Mac G5 2.0 DP (with a massive nVidia Geforce 6800 Ultra DDL graphics card, 4 internal - 3x250GB, 1x160GB SATA hard disks, an SATA PCI-X and FireWire 800 PCI-X controller.There is also a 23" monitor and HP scanner.All are idling at an averaging 215 Watts.That's only 24% of the capacity of the unit and a good 22 minutes of runtime.With five (5) more free outlets, it enables me to work the computer under heavy load, add more external peripheral and still get respectable runtime left.
The Cons...
1. APC makes too many models every year.Apart from that, they make sub-models and confusing branding within a model as you have seen in this case - RS is also known as the BR1500, XS is also known the BX1500.I've lost support for replacement parts on the white version by the time the unit gave in.I was hoping to be able to simply replace batteries and keep adding more UPS units.In my case, I needed to throw the old one with no hope for repair.
2. APC makes expensive products.There are a handful of other manufacturers that make similar LCD units for way less.I would have gone that route, but the current sale they are offering this brings the price at par with the less known brands.
3. APC battery prices are crazy expensive.They last around 3-6 years.You would need to replace them for continued functionality.Sadly my old APC UPS gave up first than the battery.Being out of warranty, my only choice was to buy a new unit.
If you actually dissect the APC battery, you'll know it's manufactured by some other company.If you're resourceful enough you can grab the very same model for way less.But make sure it's the same brand and model because there are a lot of cheaper battery replacements out there that don't last as long.
4. I wanted to state that APC is expensive because of reliability so that should offset the pricing.Well, in my case I get less than satisfactory product life.
5. Software version is very old.There are no 2007 updates especially for a Mac.In fact the CD that came with this NEW product is older than what is available at the APC website.
My suggestion - just like the LCD read out, they need to make this data possible to display on your computer screen so you don't have bend down and check runtime and load levels, if and when needed.
6. Furthermore, one more convenient LCD readout should report UPS temperature.I believe this may help reduce failure of units especially when heavily loaded.
Verdict...
Amazon's RS offering at less than retail is a great...Read more›
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APC BACK-UPS RS BR1500LCD 1500VA/865W UPS System
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