Belkin Lighthouse Battery Backup
Reviewed by Mike Hubbartt
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=359453 $100 USD Requirements: Home electronics in need of power and protection. Strengths: Decent backup power time, attractive, four battery backed outlets plus two surge protected outlets, detachable and rechargeable flashlight. Weaknesses: I’m not fond of folding user guides. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply Part Number - BU305500-USB |
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How many times has a power company brown out or black out brought down your computer or HDTV? For the past six years my local electrical company has power issues with too many air conditioners and storms in the spring and summer. Power problems – specifically surges or brown outs - can severely damage electronic components running when the power fails, so what can you do? Buy a good UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply).
Already in the UPS market, Belkin announced the Lighthouse Battery Backup (along with four other new products) at MacWorld Expo 2007, and it started shipping mid-February of this year. The Lighthouse Battery Backup comes with a detachable flashlight, three rechargeable AAA batteries (for the flashlight), USB and phone line cables, installation software and a short user guide. This unit looks nice – like it belongs beside a Mac workstation, instead of a clunky PC or trash compactor…
The 550VA/300W Lighthouse Battery Backup is good for around 20 minutes and has four battery backed and surge protected outlets, plus two surge-only protected outlets. The detachable flashlight is located on the front of the unit – it turns on when the power fails, so it is convenient to locate and use in a darkened office.
There are indicators on the top of the unit: AC Power, Low Battery Power, Fault/Overload and Replace Battery lights. There are audible alarms as well as visual, and they can be annoying but useful when you fail to notice the lights suddenly go out.
The
UPS battery is located behind an easy access panel in the rear of the unit, and
it is easy to open and replace when the time comes. And yes, UPS batteries do
wear out and need replacing. Don’t ignore the Replace Battery light on your UPS
unless you really don’t need your data. Really. And it is not hard to replace
the battery.
There is software, but you don’t need to use it to protect your equipment, so yes, you can protect that new Apple TV.
Conclusion
Your equipment needs protection from power issues. The Lighthouse Battery Backup provides decent battery backup power, an emergency flashlight, and it looks like Apple designed it. The $99.99 price tag is reasonable and a good investment. Don’t wait until you lose data or equipment. I highly recommend it as a new or replacement UPS.
