Optima Batteries??

[bman]

Do any of you use them?
Are they really that much better than a good Deep Cycle Battery?
Worth the money?

Dad was asking....
He is using it with his electric trolling motor.

[silverking]

I've had a pair for more than a year with good results. The benefits are hundreds of recharges without damage and the cylindrical shape and construction are supposed to stand up better to pounding/rough water.

Are they worth the price? Depends on use. I bought mine slightly used from a buddy and they're still going strong after a lot of hours on the water.

[Jumptrout51]

I have had an Optima in my '98 Dodge van since '98.
250,000 miles and 12 years.
It has not failed once.

[littlejohn]

I use them in both car and boat. I have four in use now and have had one go bad (in a car) that was replaced wihout question or cost. Going on three years and sold on them.

[MudDucker]

I use them extensively for duck hunting for the last 5 years or so and they beat almost all other batteries hands down for electric motors.

[Chalk]

If you drain them really low you need to "cook" them with a high charge - like putting a charger on start mode for about 10-15 minutes or it will not fully recharge. Had them on two boats...other than the taking one down real low and couldn't recover it..but took it to Autozone and they put it on machine and then gave me another one....really liked them other than that.

[DEMON]

I use (2) for 24v trolling motor going on 3yrs now and no problems. They keep going and going. They are worth the price but make sure you also spend the money for a good charger. Cheap chargers can ruin expensive batteries.

[Reel Navy]

I've run 2 for the trolling motor and a third for the starting battery for the last 3 years, with no problems. As DEMON said, make sure you get a good charger. The biggest reason I chose them over a conventional marine deep-cycle battery was they are totally sealed and there is no maintenance issues.

[Harmsway]

Yeah, I like mine. The guy at The Battery Source told me they were making generic brand Optima batteries that sell for about 3/4 of the Optima brand.

[MudDucker]

I should have mentioned that I do use a computerized charger for these batteries.

[Atticus]

Ran a pair of blue tops on the trolling motor for four seasons with no problems. Replaced with another set after one went dead and the other tested weak. Four seasons on a boat running the MK for much of the time and getting recharged every week (sometimes twice a week) is a pretty good deal for a battery IMO