Is there any good reason to buy an Optima battery for a car?

[Langanobob]

I have only bought one optima battery and i would buy again. I actually looked at it the other day and had a sticker on it from 06/08. I thought man that has been a good battery lasting almost 10years. It has been in numerous vehicles i own and currently have it in a JD 110 backhoe. The only thing that is bad on those batteries is if you do have to charge them you have to trickle charge them. It takes about 2 days to charge a optima battery to full. If you quick charge it you can ruin them from what i hear.

I’m betting that if you check the label, it will say Made in Colorado. Johnson Controls bought Optima and moved manufacturing to Mexico. I doubt it’s the Mexico factory that’s responsible for the quality decline, more likely JCI management. The Optima batteries you buy today are not the same as the older ones that were made in Colorado when Optima was an independent company.

 

[RalphVa]

Only reasons I've heard of for use of Optima type batteries is either space (they're usually smaller) and need to operate on an extreme slope or upside down. Maybe they tend less to run down on sitting.

Ralph

 

[bunyip]

A dealer told me that Optima battery cells were secured top and bottom and had spacers which the others don't, this could be marine batteries or it could be just BS but they do cost a lot more than the standard off the shelf batteries here.

 

[ovrszd]

Only reasons I've heard of for use of Optima type batteries is either space (they're usually smaller) and need to operate on an extreme slope or upside down. Maybe they tend less to run down on sitting.

Ralph

I've had several Optimas over the past 15 years in offroad vehicles. They seem to withstand heavy draw a little better (winch). And they never make a mess when upside down. I've mounted some laying on their side due to space constraints.

 

[Laderbuilt]

The 3 optima batteries I've had were junk. I now only run Odyssey. They are not cheap, but Ive had the same one in numerous vehicles over the last 10 years. First in a 77 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 for 3 years, then it sat in the garage for 2 years. I then ran it in my 68' Plymouth Barracuda for 2 years, and now it's currently in my '89 chevy 2500. Excellent battery.

I also just recently bought 2 more for my '02 Ram 2500 Diesel.

Agreed. Optimal batteries are not what they used to be when they first launched and I would not buy them or recommend them. I use Odyssey as well and have had mine in my accord for 8 years and still tests great

 

[newbury]

I have had an Optima last 7 years. But my current original factory battery in my Chevy Silverado is also going on seven years. I use a batteryminder to keep all my batteries running at top performance. If you have not tried a batteryminder you might want to give it a try. Batteryminders are on sale now at Northern Tool (free shipping).

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

You should have told them the price is only $25.

I've got a battery tender but just don't see me (or my wife, its her car) plugging and unplugging it all the time.

The Odyssey batteries have amazing specs but they are $300 and very heavy. Probably not ideal for a sports/GT car.

Interstate makes AGM batteries but they did not review well in the Consumer Reports tests.

I may just end up buying a basic battery.

A battery tender is not a Battery Minder. The minder does

High-frequency pulses safely remove sulfate from battery's plates that prevent the batteries from holding a full charge

 

[JDL538]

I have a cheap Walmart battery for my zero turn just a cheap at that time $25 made in early 2011 still strong.. I do put a trickle charge on it about 6 times a year as I do with all my batteries, it works.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

We've had an Optima in my wife's 4Runner for the last 6 years. Still going strong. Just put a red top Optima in my tractor this winter (less than 1 year old), as the Interstate OEM wet cell battery died the first time it hit -40 F. The OEM battery in my truck also died this winter, made it 5 yrs first. I couldn't fit an Optima in the truck, as according to the battery guy, it wouldn't fit the space (group 65), as too tall, and the hood wouldn't clear it. So I put in an Interstate AGM instead. I'm more worried about the Interstate AGM lasting than I am the Optima I just put in my tractor.

I had a 12 year old blue top Optima in my old '74 powerwagon, that was still going when I sold that truck.

I've had good luck with Optima's, both old and new for many years. They seem to tolerate extreme temperatures much better than any wet cell battery. Since they work for me, I keep using them. Buy whatever blows your skirt up.

 

[newbury]

As Mopardude said the 2 best batteries AGM are Odyssey & NorthStar but they are expensive and will last you easily 10 yrs if cared for

Where the HEck can I look up the correct Odyssey battery to replace a 51R in my B7610? I couldn't find a chart to do it on the odyssey site and they don't list tractors.
/edit - found it http://www.batteryweb.com/pdf/Odssey-BCI-Conversion.pdf