DieHard = Odyssey

Why are the Optima batteries 'now crappy'?

quote:

Originally posted by four walling:
Why are the Optima batteries 'now crappy'?

The Optima was once a very good battery, until production was shipped out of the US. There have been previous threads on the Optima on this and other vehicle forums. The consensus over the last few years seems to that the “Red Top” often last less than 2 years.

I have an acquaintance that is a manager of a large auto parts store. They have sold Optima since day 1. The return rate based as a percentage of sales is his largest. He also said returns are typically 18-24 months. That pretty much sucks for a battery of this cost.

That is interesting. I need a new battery for #5606.

I currently have an Optima red top that is almost 6 years old.

What are the other 'gel' options in batteries?

I did a little searching on the internet and found that there are folks that say the battery is crap and others who swear by it.

My experience is obviously positive.

Some guidance would be very helpful.

Jeff,
Here they are, PC925:

http://www.odysseybatteries.co...tery/pc925series.htm

Odyssey uses(absorbed glass mat)which is the best ... Optima is also AGM but they don't compress the mat because of the cylindrical cells. They are not as space efficient as Odyssey. The closer the plates the low the internal resistance, the lower the internal resistance the greater the current capability, less self-heating.
And .... Odyessey is 10 lbs lighter.

I have the red top Optima in 3 cars and they work fine, and with 3 year full replacement just return to Costco and get another if needed. Have the Odyssey in my black car and although only about 6" long it packs some punch. I hear these have to be fully charged though, and have some special process if charge gets low. http://www.odysseyfactory.com/extremespecs.html

I ran an Odyssey 925 in my Pantera and it worked fine. When the battery in my Acura died, I put the 925 in it and put a Odyssey 1200 back into the Pantera. The 925 was purchased in 2003 and the 1200 in 2005, and both are still working fine.

hmmmmm.

6-5 star reviews
5-1 star reviews

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...tteries+%26+Chargers


I will probably just stick with the Optima.

Kerry,
I am going with the Sears battery. I have checked the specs including pics. It is definitely the Odyssey. The Odyssey is priced at $289. The Diehard has a better warranty 4 yr/100 than the Optima 3yr only.
Here is the link.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850065000P

o.k., but that is twice the price of the Optima I am currently using.

Also, I know the the Optima will fit just right.

quote:

Originally posted by four walling:
o.k., but that is twice the price of the Optima I am currently using.

Also, I know the the Optima will fit just right.

Kerry,
Who sells a red top for less than $100 ?
The cheapest I have seen is maybe $150 on sale.

You could consider a true dry-cell battery like the Dyna-Batt at $119 and super light/comapact.

Julian

quote:

Originally posted by Pantera 4134:

quote:

Originally posted by four walling:
o.k., but that is twice the price of the Optima I am currently using.

Also, I know the the Optima will fit just right.

Kerry,
Who sells a red top for less than $100 ?
The cheapest I have seen is maybe $150 on sale.

Sorry,

Your post says $289 but I opened up the link and it says $189.

Yes, a new Optima Red Top 75/25 is about $149.

If all you're looking for is a small-sized battery to maximize the space available, or a lightweight unit for some form of competition, a garden-variety lead-acid battery for MR-2s fits well either dropped under the front trunk floor or stock, weighs 26 lbs and costs around $55 from Costco. Mine has been in our Pantera for about 6 yrs and still starts our heavily modified engine easily even when hot. 7 yrs is about the max life of any lead-acid battery- AGM or std. I wrote an extensive article in the May '07 POCA News on all known lightweight batteries but the Optima AGM wasn't one of them since it weighs more than a std wet cell & lasts no longer.