As much as we love to talk about composition, lighting, and color, it's important to address the fundamental aspects of keeping your photography setup efficient and protected. No matter what you do, we all need one thing: reliable power. Power outages, voltage spikes, power surges, and other electrical disturbances can result in data loss or even worse, hardware damage. This is where the Goldenmate UPS 1000VA/800W Surge Protector Battery Power Backup comes in.
An Uninterrupted Power Supply System (UPS System) like the may fall under the “Is this really necessary?” column for many as it may not strike as a must-have. I was skeptical about its necessity as I unboxed it myself. However, after incorporating it into my photo desk setup, I feel that it's a purchase well worth its affordable price tag. I found that the battery didn’t only have value for my photography setup, but it had other great usages for my home or travel. These are some of the features I loved about the Goldenmate UPS 1000VA/800W Surge Protector Battery Power Backup.
I found that the battery didn’t only have value for my photography setup, but it had other great usages for my home or travel. These are some of the features I loved about the Goldenmate UPS 1000VA/800W Surge Protector Battery Power Backup.
What I Loved About This Battery
Size and Weight
Right out of the box, I loved that the battery was compact and light. Measuring 13" x 9.8" x 4.1" and weighing in at 12.13 lbs, it is 20% lighter than other alternatives. Size matters, and in this case, the smaller the better. Call me superficial, but I also loved its sleek modern black and white minimal design. It fit right in my space.
Charge Duration and Speed
The lithium iron phosphate batteries provide 10 hours of power, which surprised me considering how small and sleek the device was. It also features an RS485 interface with a communication speed of 9,600 bps.
Clean, Non-Toxic Power
A little more for the real techies: the UPS 1000 VA Battery has a signature chemistry, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄), which does not contain rare earth elements (like Cobalt) or heavy metals. With its nontoxic chemical formula, it fit right into my “clean” home. While some other batteries emit toxins into the air in low quantities, the Goldenmate UPS1000 is non-toxic, including no lead or acid, and is non-corrosive. It does not off-gas, and it requires no watering or maintenance like some lead-based batteries. It can be placed in any orientation, unlike other lithium batteries. It will not explode or catch fire. In addition, each Goldenmate battery is protected from overheating, overcharging, and short-circuiting by a battery management system (BMS) microchip that also extends the battery’s lifespan. The whole device is contained in a rugged, waterproof case.
Lifespan and Free Warranty
The battery boasts a 10-year lifespan along with a complimentary 5-year warranty. I'm always impressed by manufacturers who back their products with such comprehensive warranties, as it speaks volumes about their confidence in the product's reliability. It tells me, "We know you're not sending this back!"
Other Usages
This device was sent to be reviewed by us at FStoppers for its usage to protect our computers, but it is a power supply that can be used anywhere you need portable power. I can see this being a valuable resource for landscape photographers on the go, or even any outdoor activities that could make use of a portable power supply. For those who photograph in extreme weather, the battery boasts operating temperatures of -4°F to 130°F (-20°C to 55°C).
Closing Thoughts
At the current price of $197.99, I think this is a valuable device to have in your home to protect your gear and keep you powered up during all types of electrical disturbances. It has an impressive environmentally conscious design, and a cool sleek modern look. It has usages for life on the go aside from photography, and the free 5-year warranty says, "We know you're going to love it."
cool!