Which APC ups is better? The Back-UPS XS 1000VA or the older BACK-UPS PRO 1100VA

[Freejack2]

My old APC has kicked the bucket and it's time to get a new one. Sams Club has the Back-UPS Pro 1100 for $125 and BJ's has the Back-UPS RS 1000 for $129.
As near as I can tell the only differences between the two is the RS 1000 has 600watts and the Pro 1100 has 670watt.

So basically which one should I get?

Edit: Apparently the one at BJ's is a XS not RS model. I ended up with both (long story) so I guess I'll call APC tomorrow and try to get them to tell me which one is better. I'm leaning towards the older 1100 but I could be wrong on this.

 

[boggsie]

power conditioning is a great feature as it helps to filter out spikes and brownouts - conditioned power (in theory) helps to extend the life of electronic components.

 

[Freejack2]

Enh, I was mistaken on the BJ's model. I edited my original post to have the correct information.

 

[Navid]

The old models use a serial port to communicate with the PC. The new ones use USB.

I had a problem using the software that shuts down the PC in case of black out since it would not work with the serial port! It was an old model.

 

[Freejack2]

I called APC this morning for clarification and I found out that basically the XS 1000 is a POS. The thing does not do full voltage regulation. Apparently while the XS is a RS they removed some important features! The AVR is a joke. It only handles brownouts and only to a limited level. IIRC this is called boost. It has no buck.

The backups pro has full boost and buck AVR. As for serial port vs usb I have serial ports on my pc but I don't use the ups monitoring anyhow. If I'm not there to shut it down then there is nothing open that needs to be saved. Add in another 70watts of power handling and the BP1100 is the champion for me.

The BP1100 is charging up and the XS 1000 is going back tonight.
Thanks for everyones input.

 

[MWink]

Originally posted by: Freejack2
I called APC this morning for clarification and I found out that basically the XS 1000 is a POS. The thing does not do full voltage regulation. Apparently while the XS is a RS they removed some important features! The AVR is a joke. It only handles brownouts and only to a limited level. IIRC this is called boost. It has no buck.

The backups pro has full boost and buck AVR. As for serial port vs usb I have serial ports on my pc but I don't use the ups monitoring anyhow. If I'm not there to shut it down then there is nothing open that needs to be saved. Add in another 70watts of power handling and the BP1100 is the champion for me.

The BP1100 is charging up and the XS 1000 is going back tonight.
Thanks for everyones input.

Yup the older one is better. I recently bought a Back-UPS RS800 to replace my old Back-UPS Pro 650 and I don't like it nearly as much. APC's website says the RS has boost and trim but I have yet to see it's trim feature kick in and we have chronically high voltage. APC assures me that it has trim but I don't believe them anymore, especially since they can't tell me what voltage range it can trim. At least they admit the XS does not have trim.

I ended up buying a Tripp Lite Smart Pro 700 which has great AVR. It has 2 boost and 1 trim mode. So far it's working great but it is missing a few features I'd like and the software is horrible compared to any version of APC PowerChute.

Poking around APC's web site I noticed that it sure looks like the old Back-UPS Pro series had a facelift and got renamed the Smart UPS SC. I'm getting more and more disappointed with APC.

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

I wouldn't use either one. I recommend the OPTI-UPS as available from NewEgg. This one is a really good one-- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16842107113

I have been using OPTI-UPS's for some time now, and they are some of the best and highly rated UPS's you can buy. And they cost less than APC.

Hmm, higher quality for a lesser price. Just like the EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra.

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

OH, also notice that every single OPTI product on that page has a five star rating? That is not by accident!