to optima or not to optima

[forestb]

I need a new battery and was wondering what you all's opinions are on them.

[contagious102]

Had two yellow tops in my race car for 5 years with no alternator,just a quick charge between rounds.Still going strong when i traded the car this year.!!!

May want to run the red top in your truck.Yellow tops are deep cycle,red are tough duty.

[corvettejim1968]

I have ran the red top Optima battery in every car I have owned since 1994 they are great no problems well worth the money.
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[QBA]

I've had red tops on 4 vehicles with no issues.one battery went from three different cars.just replaced it 8 years later.

[72step]

I have been playing in the Jeep world since I got rid of my 72 Chevy 3 years ago and in reality the main advantage of the Optima is the spill proof design which helps in high vibration situations. If you're not racing or doing severe offroading I wouldn't bother. Matter of fact most people on the Jeep forum claim that their quality has diminished greatly in the last few years. Most anyone on those forums recommends the Diehard Platinum over the Optima. My Jeep came with a red top optima and hasn't given me any trouble in the last 3 years but lately I've noticed it turning the engine slower when cold so it might be on it's last leg. If time comes to replace I will definitely get a Diehard Platinum.

[markeb01]

I really wanted to switch to an Optima on my last battery replacement, but I read so many bad reviews I changed my mind. Long time users dropping the brand because the newer production batteries go dead within a year, or are not able to hold a charge for even a month, or going dead and being unable to be recharged. Optima will have to clean up its reputation before I'm willing to gamble the amount of money they charge.

[rtk434]

A few years ago I would have said yes without a doubt but after what I have seen lately I would not buy one. I had one in my Camaro that lasted 12 years and it was used when I got it. It was an awesome battery but the recent ones I've dealt with have been junk. I've had 2 that were bad from day one and have seen several less then stellar ones in customers race cars at the shop. The local parts store won't even sell them anymore since he had so many bad ones coming back. I spoke with a member on another board who is an electrical guru a few years back about what I should buy. He recomended a Deka Intimidator. I have 2 of them in my personal vehicles and have installed several at the shop and to date they all are performing well. This is an AGM style battery like the Optima.

[lil_sahara450r]

Optima has gone down a lot in quality lately, avoid the hype and go with something else. I too have heard good about deka
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[BR3W CITY]

I used to love my optima, but had one die recently.
Remember, NEVER put them on a cheap trickle charger or any charger that isn't approved to gel and deep cycle batteries. It can actually kill a cell, and sometimes damage the charger.

[chevy_mike]

The last three I have had ALL had problems within the first year (three different vehicles). At one time many, many years back they were fairly solid and I had not had any problems but I think about 4-5 years ago they switched to being built in Mexico and the quality went downhill very quickly.

Since then, I have switched 100% over to Sears Platinum batteries which are made by Odyssey, one of the top makers in batteries. They have an awesome warranty to boot.

[MikeS.]

I wish I knew this three months ago before I bought optima.
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[72step]

I have actually had pretty good luck with regular run of the mill batteries. I had one from Checker/Oreilly in my 72 that must've been in there 8 years when I got rid of the truck and it was still going. That battery used to suprise me because it was common for me to not start that truck for months at a time. Optima deserves a big thumbs down. Typical big company trying to cut their costs in half with the hard working customer paying for it with an inferior product. I guess they don't think we'd notice but Optima has a bad rap not only in the Jeep world as is evident on this thread.

[Warrens69GMC]

There is probably a reason they changed their warranty from 3yr free replacment/3yr prorate (6yr total) to just a 3yr free replacement (3yr total).

[BR3W CITY]

^which is BS for a gel cell battery that costs $125+

Optima's used to be $99, and last through multiple vehicles, now its no better than a regular $65 high-cca store battery.

[Shaun1162]

When I got my K30 a couple years ago, there was a red top in it. Has worked great for me... Only thing I do is take it out in the winter when I'm not using it and put it in a heated garage. Haven't dealt with any newer Optima batteries, so I can't comment on those....

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

The last three I have had ALL had problems within the first year (three different vehicles). At one time many, many years back they were fairly solid and I had not had any problems but I think about 4-5 years ago they switched to being built in Mexico and the quality went downhill very quickly.

Since then, I have switched 100% over to Sears Platinum batteries which are made by Odyssey, one of the top makers in batteries. They have an awesome warranty to boot.

I have heard really good things about Odyssey batteries, especially from guys into hot roads/street rods. Pretty sure they're dry cell, so no acid and you can mount them anyway you want (except uside down) and they're about the same price as a regular battery.

[kieth]

I put one in my wifes tahoe, it cost twice as much and lasted about the same as a regular battery. Did not use one the next time. Kieth

[61_FL_Apache]

I always run with Interstate batteries and have had great luck with them. I never wanted to spend the money for the Optimas

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Shaun1162

When I got my K30 a couple years ago, there was a red top in it. Has worked great for me... Only thing I do is take it out in the winter when I'm not using it and put it in a heated garage. Haven't dealt with any newer Optima batteries, so I can't comment on those....




I have heard really good things about Odyssey batteries, especially from guys into hot roads/street rods. Pretty sure they're dry cell, so no acid and you can mount them anyway you want (except uside down) and they're about the same price as a regular battery.

Yeah, I had old ones from way back and never had a problem. Then nothing but problems.

As for the Sears Platinum/Odyssey batteries, you haven't priced them have you. Typically close to $200 and up. My Dodge Ram truck (Cummins powered) has 2 and the camper on it has 1. I went with the largest ones I could fit and have about $700 in batteries in that rig. It typically goes 4+ months without moving and it fires right up with no issues.

I had one in my Cherokee too. It would go months without moving and never had an issue.

We do a LOT of overland traveling/camping and we are usually very remote, not near anything nor anyone and I cannot risk issues with dead batteries. There is no AAA or towing that will reach many of the places we go, so realiability is paramount.

BTW, these are Gel style batteries, similar to Optima but much higher quality. Typically you can get a smaller size Odyssey as the CCA is higher than a standard battery of a larger size. My primary truck ones are 1150 CCA each. Yes they are big.

[Shaun1162]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Yeah, I had old ones from way back and never had a problem. Then nothing but problems.

As for the Sears Platinum/Odyssey batteries, you haven't priced them have you. Typically close to $200 and up. My Dodge Ram truck (Cummins powered) has 2 and the camper on it has 1. I went with the largest ones I could fit and have about $700 in batteries in that rig. It typically goes 4+ months without moving and it fires right up with no issues.

OK, that's true... Never looked into regular full size truck batteries. Was only looking at smaller batteries they sell for a hot rod project.. That battery was only running about $120 online, and someone may correct me, but I beleive these batteries ship like regular packages because they're dry cells.

[westcoast5]

I have run optimas since 93 and about 4 years ago I stopped the last 3 that i had on my boat only lasted about a year everytime, so I switched to sears.

[Heater63]

I had one die after one year also, but the vehicle wasn't driven enough and I probably didn't keep it charged well. On a daily driver you might have better luck.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I used to love my optima, but had one die recently.
Remember, NEVER put them on a cheap trickle charger or any charger that isn't approved to gel and deep cycle batteries. It can actually kill a cell, and sometimes damage the charger.

I have to agree on that the quality went down. I remember when they were less than $100. I believe, those were the good ol days, and good ol batteries too.

I still have one left in my jet-boat. We didnt use the boat much last year, so now its just sits in the garage on a trickle charger (an approved charger, ya sure...uh huh, ok )

I paid over $100 for this one, so I'm sure its a junk one. But it has lasted for a long time.

In fact one weekend, the alt. belt flew off (not sure how long) and we were going strong all weekend. Although, the only acc's my boat has in an MSD box, and a bilge pump.

Don't think I will ever buy another.

Cheap labor and parts = Junk

[MikeS.]

Costco used to carry them, I wonder if they dropped them for quality issues.
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[MadManAndrew]

I have two yellowtops in my Duramax. Bought them a little over a year ago and they've been great since the day I bought them.
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[C-10 simplex]

i would like to say that yes, i am very concerned about all the bad reviews/comments concerning optima.

That being stated i use a yellowtop D34 in my car with no problems. i bought this about 2-3 yrs ago----before i read all the negative reviews.

Works fine. i think the key is to follow the charging and maintenance exactly/anally for optima. And if necessary get a charger specifically designed for these agm type batteries.