Optima worth the price?

[benjy]

I'm sick of having a jeep that hasn't left the garage for months. Our no name brand battery kicked the bucket this winter after 3+ years. I've read a bunch of other threads about optimas, and there are a lot of opinions out there but I want some more

One Optima is the same price as two 3 year guaranteed Sears batteries...

So... Is an Optima really worth the cost?

 

[1995zj]

I voted no because I used to have a yellow top and now I'm running an Excide Orbital battery (very similar to Optima) and I have nothing but good things to say. My opinion spend $110 on an Excide Orbital.

I guess it also depends on what color top you're looking at in a way too

 

[I Lean]

I voted no because I used to have a yellow top and now I'm running an Excide Orbital battery (very similar to Optima) and I have nothing but good things to say. My opinion spend $110 on an Excide Orbital.

I guess it also depends on what color top you're looking at in a way too

I have Exide Orbitals in every vehicle I own, with the exception of my beater Honda. I love 'em--but there are a lot of people who have had negative experience with Orbitals, it seems. :sick:

 

[tv_larsen]

The red top Optima in my Ramcharger is 14 years old and still works the same as it did when it was new. It amazes me, but I think I might still replace it because I don't want it to fail on the trail.

 

[BroncoMama]

Tara's two cents: We run red tops in both trucks, a red top in the trencher, and a yellow top in the lovely Lemon Joy. Optima's are quite pricey, but I have yet to be disappointed in them. LJ's is nearly 6 years old and has been drained down to dead multiple times and is just ducky! We did have a set of red tops go bad in Henry last year, but they were warranted so we just got a new set and were back in business. I love Optimas! :tara:

 

[Confused]

I voted no, and have previously used red top and now have yellow. I guess I buy them but don't think they are worth it. I guess I am confused.

 

[TJustin]

There's a jeep in my garage that could not be driven for a month, (its not a dd) Its been in the YJ for I think 8 years, imo that battery is a champ. I would buy one...

 

[Herzog]

The newer optimas (I'll guess within 5 or more years) seem to have more issues than the older ones. I have a 7 year old yellow top that just won't quit. Some of my friends have older red tops that have outlasted their older rigs and have moved on to their new rigs.

 

[SLC97SR5]

I like my Blue Top but for the money and CCA's the NAPA Orbital's are tough to beat. I believe the Orbitals are re-badged Exide's.

 

[Meat_]

Optima all the way Ben.

I ran a group 31 (big) yellow top in the K5 for 2+ years, most of that time the alternator was barely alternating and it just kept going. That battery is now in the Ramcharger, I am extremely happy with it. I have two smaller Reds in my Cummins, they are 5ish years old. It gets parked for months at a time and they are always tip top, even when it's been below 0F a lot.

My dad's truck has a 3ish year old red top in it that has been nothing but awesome.

We've used Orbitals in other vehicles and I am disapointed in them.

 

[Rot Box]

I have nothing but good to say about them Running a Yellow top right now, and even under heavy winching it holds up very well.

 

[chadschoon]

I used to run them and had 5 red tops go bad. I run the orbital now with no issues. the optima always took it back and warrentied it though

 

[NoTrax]

I'm sick of having a jeep that hasn't left the garage for months. Our no name brand battery kicked the bucket this winter after 3+ years. I've read a bunch of other threads about optimas, and there are a lot of opinions out there but I want some more

One Optima is the same price as two 3 year guaranteed Sears batteries...

So... Is an Optima really worth the cost?

I have a red top in my jeep, and for some reason, its dead before the 70 dollar autozone battery in my Suzuki.... they both sit the same exact time and if I start both, jeep usually will be the one dead.. but that thing has much more stuff draining off of it.

 

[Shawn]

Those, red and yellow are all I own.

 

[Caleb]

I have Exide Orbitals in every vehicle I own, with the exception of my beater Honda. I love 'em--but there are a lot of people who have had negative experience with Orbitals, it seems. :sick:

I'm one of those that have been majorly disappointed by the Orbitals. Every one I have owned has gone bad in no time at all and had to be replaced. I don't remember exactly but I've had probably four or five different Orbitals. (Deep cells, Standards, and their Extreme)

Red Tops on the other hand have always proven to be excellent batteries for me. I've had several and currently have one in my Tacoma and I've never had a single one die or go bad.

I will only buy Optimas from now on.

 

[Greg]

I have Exide Orbitals in every vehicle I own, with the exception of my beater Honda. I love 'em--but there are a lot of people who have had negative experience with Orbitals, it seems. :sick:

I've had 3 Orbitals die... :-\ Fortunately they were all under warranty. :greg:

IMO Orbitals don't like sitting w/o charging for extended periods in cold temps. That seemed to be what killed mine. That said, I put Orbitals in my TJ and the FJ80. Long as they are getting used often they seem to do well.

 

[Caleb]

I've had 3 Orbitals die... :-\ Fortunately they were all under warranty. :greg:

IMO Orbitals don't like sitting w/o charging for extended periods in cold temps. That seemed to be what killed mine. That said, I put Orbitals in my TJ and the FJ80. Long as they are getting used often they seem to do well.

For the most part, I think this is key. All mine that kept on kicking the bucket were ones in my buggy or my TJ. Both of those vehicles would sit without use for periods (granted always garaged so I can't it was due to the cold).

 

[benjy]

Sounds like Optima is the way to go.

So... red or yellow? This rig may sit for a few months during the winter (in garage) without being started... and we do run a winch (occasionally).

 

[Meat_]

Personally I'd go with the biggest yellow you can fit, or two medium yellows.

The red for the same size has more cranking amps, but they aren't deep cycle. The group 31 yellow has more cranking amps than any of the reds, and a HUGE reserve.... but they are big.

 

[Shawn]

Sounds like Optima is the way to go.

So... red or yellow? This rig may sit for a few months during the winter (in garage) without being started... and we do run a winch (occasionally).

For what you have and do, Red.

Yellow is better for the drain & recover.

I have ran red most of the Cruisers life and have abused the hell out of them. I put a yellow in recently because of all the accessories I run.