Good UPS If You Don't Mind the Small Inconveniences.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Rich Feature Set. 1200VA Battery Rating. 3 Year Warranty.

Cons: Noticeable Low Frequency Hum. 3 Second On Button.

The Bottom Line: 
Based on features and price, I give the Belkin F6C120-UNV a marginal pass. However, my next UPS will be an APC XS 1500VA.

Author's Review
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