Panamax MB850 Battery Backup Surge Protector

Literally a plug-n-play for my iMac. Switches over with no ill effects on anything I have plugged into it. My laser printer pulls too many amps to go on the backup circuit (even with normal power on), but still gets the circuit protection through the other plugs. We've had a lightning storm come through with quick drop-outs and it caught all of them. Works great and no headaches to install.Update July 4, 2013 - The unit has never failed to activate and the time it supports has not dropped off, hopefully indicating the battery has not diminished in capacity. Extremely pleased with it. I did switch back to an inkjet and it handles that printer's load with everything else as well.

We’ve had great luck with Panamax, with seven in house for entertainment systems. This model we’ve had in our home theatre. The first failed after two years, this one, bought to replace the first, failed after four months (purchase dare 15 June 2023). In each case, the power supply and voltage scrubbing is fine, but the battery loses charge, cannot recharge, and eventually won’t stay on owing to battery having no charge, simply beeps incessantly. Do not recommend this model. We’ll be trying another.

I live in a suburb where split second power outages are a weekly event. You don't really notice it unless if you're using your computer or entertainment center at the time of the outage. I have a Panamax M5300-EX Surge Protector, however that didn't stop my components from shutting off and reseting during each outage. It just protects the components from spikes in the electric currents.Since I bought this battery back up... it puts a smile on my face everytime the power goes out for 10 or so seconds and I hear the back up beeping. Its great to be able to keep enjoying whatever I'm watching until the power returns. Feels even better to know that my expensive entertainment equipment isn't being damaged.

I bought as a "Used - Like New" product for $93 (which included Amazon credit card application discount). I personally think this product as a new item is overpriced at $299+. Had I bought new I would have got the CyberPower CP850AVRLCD.A little disappointed for four reasons:- I was expecting the LCD Display menu to stay on...or have the option to leave it on. It only stays on for about 1 minute to view Voltage status.- If your power went out it doesn't seem like it's capable of energizing a TV, receiver very long (TV 6 minutes????).- Unit kept beeping indicating an overload when I had TV, receiver, cable box, DVR plugged into one of 5 battery backup inlets on back. Had to unplug cable box and then it stopped beeping.- You can't use a universal all-in-one remote to turn it off. It's my understanding the item charges as long as it's plugged into outlet regardless if off/on.In short, this item is really meant to solve occassional brief hiccups in power....not power your entertainment center for the night if your power is out for several hours. I know every area is different in terms of electrical fluctuation. Not saying I regret buying item, I just don't lose power very often. I'm still figuring item out so maybe my view will change when I lose power.

It's a nice plug & play solution if you have a Mac. A little pricey, but it looks better than the similar offerings under different labels.

I bought this in 2009 and its still protecting my 40" television. I have had zero issues with it or the devices plugged into it. It doesn't power the devices for a long time, but my only hope was to protect major power surges. It gives me enough time to find the TV remote and power the TV off.

top of the line great price and got it quick

The  Panamax MB850 5 Battery Backup Surge Protector - Black  (aside from the plastic box) is exactly the same as the much less expensive  CyberPower CP850AVRLCD Intelligent LCD 850VA 510W with AVR Mini Tower UPS  ($289.45 vs $106.95 as of 8-19-2012).Look at the pictures provided by Amazon and you can see the plugs on the back of both units are in the exact same positions, in addition the specs for both units are identical. The only noticeable difference is the Panamax has a slightly more stylish plastic box (the most noticeable difference being the round hole around the display on the front of the unit) vs the CyberPower unit but for me that would not justify it costing an additional $182.50 (2.7x more) than the CyberPower unit.I gave the unit a 4 star rating instead of 5 is because I don't think the slightly nicer looking plastic box justifies a price increase of 2.7x vs the CyberPower unit. I think the nicer box might justify a $20 premium but definitely not $182.50.Also if you do want to purchase a Panamax product it should be noted that Amazon is not currently an authorized Panamax dealer and as such any Panamax product you purchase from Amazon will not have any warranty. To confirm this for yourself (if you want) just go to the panamax website panamax.com and follow the links from customer service to the warranty section where it says "YOUR PANAMAX WARRANTY WILL NOT BE VALID IF YOU PURCHASE A PANAMAX AUDIO VIDEO PRODUCT FROM AN UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO VIDEO INTERNET DEALER".Just to show I have no bias against Panamax (if people want to spend more money for the same product they are welcome to, just seems wrong if they didn't know about the less expensive version) here is a list of the current authorized online Panamax dealers from the Panamax website.{"ABT", "Audioholics", "Best Buy", "Crutchfield", "Dynamic Sound Systems", "HIDEF Lifestyle Inc", "Home Theater Store", "Loss Control Specialists Inc", One Call", "Port City Sound & Security", "Power Systems Direct", "Smart Home", "SpikeStop.com, Vann's"}Hope that helps and good luck finding a high quality and affordable UPS.