Are Optima batteries worth it?

[Wa hunter]

Looking to get a new batteries for my boat and not quite sure if is worth the extra bucks? I am considering a Cabelas AGM as an alternative.

[Crunchy]

Best battery I have had has been a Trojan wet cell
Got 7 years out of it.  I would stray from.anything cabelas brand for batteries.

[huntnphool]

 I ordered my boat in December 03 and picked it up March 04. When I picked it up I was not happy that they had put two tiny (size) batteries in it. They assured me they would be worth the money so I went along.

 14 years later I have not touched those batteries, never had a charger on them or had a single issue.
 
 They are not cheap, but I don't know a single soul that can claim the same!

 http://www.odysseybattery.com/marine_batteries.aspx
 
 You will also notice that they are mounted on their side, which is another big advantage to a dry cell.

[Mfowl]

Optimas are worth every penny. Had one in my boat for years and never had an issue with it until it got ripped off. Been meaning to upgrade back to one just haven't forked out the cash yet.

[Jellymon]

Optimas are hit and miss. Lots of info on the net of some not lasting. Odyssey from my research makes the better battery.

Optima is made in mexico. Odyssey is made in USA with some made in the UK.

[Fl0und3rz]

My one Optima was a miss, but not in a boat.  I'd read that they don't take a deep discharge as well as wet cells, and that was my experience.  I went back to wet cells. YMMV. Maybe they weren't ready for prime time at the time.

[Skyvalhunter]

Big miss here didn't last long at all

[Crunchy]

 Someone should have asked what kind of boat and whether you are going to be running one battery or two.

[dc]

I have had a Optima in my NR since bought new in 09.  I do run a small charger on it yr around when not using the boat, so maybe not a fair comparison.  But none the less, I think it has paid for itself.

[WapitiTalk1]

Not a boat but have had an Optima in my old Chevelle for right around 5 years with no issues.  It seems to hold a charge well with the little battery tender throughout the winter and starts the big block up no problem each times its called upon. I like em.   

[Buzz2401]

Have had very poor luck both times I tried to use optimas.  Neither lasted more then 4 years.  My best luck has come from the Costco batteries but not sure if they are selling them anymore.  I think they were rebranded interstates is what I was told.  The ones in my boat were 5 years old when I sold it and still going strong and one in my truck is 8 years old so far and no issues.

[highside74]

Like previous poster said, Optima has been moved to Mexico and quality control has suffered some.

Odyssey is the best high end battery on the market.

East Penn Deka aren't pretty but they have a battery that is as good as the old Optima.

[Magnum_Willys]

Optimas arent good for infrequent use without a battery tender.

[Wa hunter]

Someone should have asked what kind of boat and whether you are going to be running one battery or two.

Small sled, it would run the 90hp,kicker and depth sounder I have been running one battery.

[Mudman]

Were good to me in years past.  Blue/yellow/red, use proper batt and keep it maintained and you should be good to go long time. Odyssey is great too.

[KFhunter]

I put two yellow tops in my Dodge 2nd gen because I have a huge winch, they're garbage. 

I'll never buy Optima's again. 



I had heard some of the earlier years were good until they were out sourced to Mexico then became garbage.  I hate them.

[The scout]

I had blue top optimas in my boat and they were great last a long time. But now I buy all my batteries from Costco since they carry interstate and I have had good luck with those and they are way cheaper

[G.R.K]

Optima Red Top lasted 11 years in my Tacoma, it was still good when I upgraded to a new one and was not a daily driver.

[Badhabit]

If I were buying a boat battery I'd get the Trojan SC225. 

[Bofire]

A city I worked for MANY years ago, things change, went to Optimas for about 2 years and had terrible luck with them. that was then.
Carl

[Calvin Rayborn]

 Every penny. Just replace my Redtop after a solid eight years was still starting just fine but wanted to be safe for the winter

[Grit dog]

Optimas are hit and miss. Lots of info on the net of some not lasting. Odyssey from my research makes the better battery.

Optima is made in mexico. Odyssey is made in USA with some made in the UK.

I'm about 4 vs 1 for bad vs good Optimas, but that was around 10 years ago. Mine were dieing so quick I was getting new ones under warranty. The last red top I had lasted quite a while and it was the only one I didn't take care of because I didn't expect it to last!
I've had great luck with Odyssey batteries though. The pair in my wife's truck right now started out in the boat, like 8 and 10 years ago, so not a matching set. Still fire up a diesel that sits for weeks or longer at a time without being started. When I pulled them from the boat and put in the truck, I bought another pair for the boat a year later.  Those are 4 years old and still perfect.
I wouldn't buy optima, too much bad luck with them.

[RadSav]

I bought four Cabelas AGM batteries a number of years ago.  Figured I could switch back and forth with them between trailer and boat.  Within two years the casing had cracked on all four.  I won't touch another one.

As far as Opima, not sure on boat and RV, but I have one in the truck going on it's 10th year.  Prior to that I was getting 3 years with every Megatron.  So I've been quite pleased with mine.  But who knows what I'll find when I need a second one.

BTW - When I replaced all the Cabelas AGM batteries I went cheap and got EverReady from Batteries Plus.  Have to say I've been pleasantly surprised how well they have held up.  Can't run the troller for as long as I did on the AGM, but the difference isn't as substantial a difference as the price.

[Ghost Hunter]

Been using an optima for my trolling motor, and use it for light when camping.  Bought their charger too.  They seem heavier if moving around a lot.  Good ballast in the canoe.

[Stein]

I buy Costco batteries, their warranty is second to none.