- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Optima Batteries - Worth the extra dough?
Posted on 11/16/14 at 9:53 pm
Posted on 11/16/14 at 9:53 pm
I can tell my battery is starting to fail because my startups are getting extremely weak. My car is a 2010 Yukon Denali with about 75k on the clock. I'm pretty sure the battery is still factory so for a 4 year old battery, that sounds about right for lifespan.
I could go to Autozone and get a Duralast Gold for about $150 or I can get an Optima red top for about $215.
I have read some about them and they say that gel cell batteries are good for vehicles that sit up a while and for vehicles that pull a heavy load at times (like cars with sound systems). I simply want a reliable battery that will last me the rest of the life of the vehicle. I have also read these are great at avoiding corrosion.
Does anyone have any experience with standard (non-deep cycle) Optima Batteries?
TIA
I could go to Autozone and get a Duralast Gold for about $150 or I can get an Optima red top for about $215.
I have read some about them and they say that gel cell batteries are good for vehicles that sit up a while and for vehicles that pull a heavy load at times (like cars with sound systems). I simply want a reliable battery that will last me the rest of the life of the vehicle. I have also read these are great at avoiding corrosion.
Does anyone have any experience with standard (non-deep cycle) Optima Batteries?
TIA
12
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:13 pm to bapple
No. Get a Deka AGM.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:16 pm to bapple
I bought a red-top b/c all the Corvette guys said how great they are.
They aren't.
I've had two, one in the Vette (rarely driven, trickle-charged). It went bad in 3 years.
Put one in the baby's truck and it did fair turning over that 6.2, but was starting to get flaky with less than 3 years on it.
I won't buy another.
They aren't.
I've had two, one in the Vette (rarely driven, trickle-charged). It went bad in 3 years.
Put one in the baby's truck and it did fair turning over that 6.2, but was starting to get flaky with less than 3 years on it.
I won't buy another.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:19 pm to Clames
quote:
No. Get a Deka AGM.
Price? Place? Any other info?
The only AGM products I have heard of were spark plugs.
Thanks for the testimonial Vette!
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:20 pm to bapple
Don't tell the Corvette guys. 
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:22 pm to bapple
quote:
Optima Batteries
Only for marine IMO, gel cells are the way to go. I get around 5 yrs out of normal batteries in out vehicles.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:23 pm to VetteGuy
Have had one in the Taco for a year and a half. So far so good. Buddy has 3 of the blue tops for the trolling motor in his boat. They're light years better than the wet cell deep cycles he had. Can fish for 3 days straight without a charge and you don't notice any fade in them.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:30 pm to meauxjeaux2
So are they really only an improvement for standard marine batteries?
I'd like to purchase a new battery tomorrow so any further advice is appreciated.
I'd like to purchase a new battery tomorrow so any further advice is appreciated.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:39 pm to bapple
quote:
Price? Place? Any other info?
They are either sold through dealers or as a Sears Platinum AGM. AGM is Absorbed Glass Matt which is the same as gel-type batteries.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 10:41 pm to bapple
I typically go to sears and get the second best model that they offer...I believe it is the "gold" series...never tried the gel batteries that they offer because the regular has always lasted me the life of the vehicle...
Posted on 11/16/14 at 11:39 pm to bapple
I had one Optima and it was the red top. It went in my Jeep but that was due to the winch and 16 KC lights I had on it. Regular duralast here on out.
Posted on 11/16/14 at 11:45 pm to bapple
If you're gonna spend dough on a good battery, get an Odyssey (Battery World on Perkins and Bluebonnet). Otherwise, just get a regular one from Walmart or Autozone. They work perfectly fine
All of the Optima reds I've had worked well for a year, and quit after that.
All of the Optima reds I've had worked well for a year, and quit after that.
This post was edited on 11/16/14 at 11:51 pm
Posted on 11/17/14 at 5:20 am to Hammertime
I'm a big fan of Interstate batteries. In boats or cars/trucks/ Had the best luck with them over the years.
Don't buy that walmart crap that you will have to replace within two years.
Don't buy that walmart crap that you will have to replace within two years.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 5:52 am to bapple
I've had 2 yellow tops on my jeep in 4 years. I have a winch and a couple lights that are rarely used.
Save your money and go with something else.
Save your money and go with something else.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 6:50 am to bapple
I have two boats, one with optima gel cell and one with the traditional wet cell, I see very little difference in the two. Not worth the extra $$. Your charging system has as much to do with battery life as anything. Being this is going in a SUV don't spend the extra $$, just get a high quality wet cell. Cheap wet cell batteries are the devil (they use cheap lead).
Posted on 11/17/14 at 6:59 am to bapple
My wife's Denali was having battery problems and I put a yellow top Optima in it. Lasted about a year so I took the car into the dealership and apparently there was a service bulletin about the computer in her car. They reprogrammed it put a new battery in and we have had zero problems since.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 7:29 am to bapple
quote:only reason i went with an Optima red top in my truck is because i used to could get em new for $100. It was a no brainer
So are they really only an improvement for standard marine batteries?
I'd like to purchase a new battery tomorrow so any further advice is appreciated.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 7:37 am to bapple
My buddies red top died right out of the warranty, I have 2 yellows in my 250 and cant complain yet.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 8:15 am to bapple
Optima used to be the best. Had a jeep that I ran a yellow top in for 6 years with lots of lights and a winch and it was still going when I sold it. Not sure the reason but they don't last near as long as they used to. Go with another brand.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 8:39 am to bapple
Hard to beat an interstate.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News